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ToggleDo you want to help your French Bulldog lose weight? If you’re one of those owners who can’t resist rewarding your pooch at any time of the day even without a reason, then it’s the ultimate time to stop doing that. No one indeed stays immune to those heart-melting puppy eyes, but unfortunately, that type of love ends up with gaining weight. And…we all know that Frenchies are greedy eaters who can’t get enough of food.
Since a few extra pounds can lead to severe health problems in your French bulldog, we decided to provide you with tips that will help your dog lose weight. Added weight can seriously affect your dog’s breathing, joints, and hips. Besides, it will decrease the dog’s mobility, energy, and overall mood.
How to help your French bulldog lose weight?
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Take him outside to multiple short walks
Since your fatty Frenchie will have a low energy level and will get tired quickly, he won’t be able to sustain going on long strolls. Therefore, taking him outside to multiple short walks will be one of the solutions. Your furry friend will need a proper amount of activity to improve muscles and spend calories. As time goes by and as your pet gets back to shape, you can extend the duration of walks. You’ll know when you’ll be able to extend the stroll by observing your dog’s breathing.
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Limit treats
Forget about rewarding your Frenchie with commercial treats. Instead, you can choose fresh veggies such as cucumber, celery, or fresh broccoli. Try to avoid fruits because they also contain sugar. In case you want to perform training lessons and teach your pooch some commands, they will fit the purpose perfectly.
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Switch to a raw diet
The raw diet (BARF diet) works wonders for your French bulldog’s health and immunity. Besides it doesn’t contain additives, artificial colors, and flavors, but it’s also a healthies and low-calorie option for your pooch. In case you don’t have enough time to prepare the raw diet meal for your Frenchie, then you can search for a brand that offers food ranges for your pet’s own tendencies.
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Swimming
Even though Frenchies aren’t good swimmers, this sport can help them burn calories without getting too tired. Sounds unreal? Well, the only thing to do is to dress your Frenchie into a quality swimming vest that will help him stay afloat. Of course, allowing your pet to spend time in the water includes your supervision.
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Reduce the portions
Many dog owners feel afraid of changing their dog’s diet. It’s because Frenchies are prone to allergies, flatulence, and even food intolerance. Therefore, one of the solutions to help your dog lose weight is to reduce the portions.
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Play indoors
Another practice that can help your French bulldog lose weight is to play fetch indoors. Keep your dog occupied and entertained indoors especially if weather conditions don’t allow you to go outside. French bulldog toys represent a great way to keep your furry friend active in home conditions. The following ball is sure to keep your furry friend entertained for hours on end! The self-rotating system ensures that the ball will never stop rolling, and the velvet cover makes for a soft surface that’s gentle on your dog’s teeth.
FetchMate© – Automatic Tennis Ball Launcher is one of my dog’s favorite indoor entertainment tools. It features an adjustable distance setting and represents a great training tool for dogs of all ages. The ball launcher includes 3 tennis balls, and it works on batteries.
What is the recommended weight for a French bulldog?
According to the AKC, French bulldogs should not weigh more than 28 pounds, while the recommended height goes between 11 to 13 inches.
The ideal weight of female French bulldogs is between 17 to 24 pounds, while males grow slightly bigger and their weight ranges between 20 to 28 pounds.
Since these measures are only prescribed by the AKC, it’s important to note that the size of a dog will depend only on its genes. You can own a perfectly healthy Frenchie that weighs over 30 pounds, and the only thing to observe are the signs of obesity.
How to know if my French bulldog is overweight?
– lack of definition and inability to feel the ribs under your hand
– inability to scratch the ear
– difficult breathing when going on walks
– too round shape of your Frenchie’s body