Well first of all the wife and i have been rescued. :B Back a couple months ago we had to help one of our senior Boston Terriers over the rainbow bridge. We started thinking about adopting again and contacted our contact at a local rescue group and told her what we were thinking. Low and behold a few weeks later this past Monday she called me they had just rescued a 2 y/o French Bulldog female from a breeding operation. We went to meet her on Wednesday and well the rest is history. Our understanding is that Frenchie's has a reputation for skin and allergy issues some caused by food. Can anyone here with Frenchie experience give us ideas on any special food if any and any preventative measures on the skin and allergy issues we have been told about? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Suggest you contact the French Bulldog Club of America

As a general move, to something available everywhere , look at Purina one sensitive systems, its a combination skin and stomach based care food that is salmon based. Goof, our Awesume shepherd rescue had problems, and this with Tractor Supply's 4 health sensitive skin canned food has helped him. You may find something later that works better, but this is a decent first step.

What was the dog fed while at the rescue? If she did well on it, I'd continue feeding the same thing. If not, I'd try a grain free, fish-based kibble. Sweet potatoes seem to be tolerated better than white potatoes by many sensitive dogs. Some dogs do well on turkey or duck, as well (my sensitive girl cannot tolerate anything with feathers - lol). Every dog is different. I have a dog who's very sensitive to many kibble ingredients,especially grains, white potatoes, and fowl. She does well on Earthborn Holistic Venture Alaska Pollock Meal & Pumpkin Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (she also does well on the pork flavor), Go! Sensitivity + Shine LID Pollock Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, and Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. Many people swear by Fromm, Acana or Wellness grain free kibbles. These can be found at private pet stores, or on Chewy.com. Fromm is no longer available on Chewy.com, after Petsmart bought the company.Tractor Supply also sells grain free kibbles under their own label, 4Health. Some have potatoes in them, while some do not. You'll need to read the labels carefully.I would avoid grain-based kibbles that advertise as being for skin sensitivites (Pro-Plan, Royal Canin, Science Diet). They are mainly grain, especially corn and wheat. These can drive a sensitive dog insane! Been there, done that.

xteacher wrote:What was the dog fed while at the rescue? If she did well on it, I'd continue feeding the same thing. If not, I'd try a grain free, fish-based kibble. Sweet potatoes seem to be tolerated better than white potatoes by many sensitive dogs. Some dogs do well on turkey or duck, as well (my sensitive girl cannot tolerate anything with feathers - lol). Every dog is different. I have a dog who's very sensitive to many kibble ingredients,especially grains, white potatoes, and fowl. She does well on Earthborn Holistic Venture Alaska Pollock Meal & Pumpkin Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (she also does well on the pork flavor), Go! Sensitivity + Shine LID Pollock Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, and Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. Many people swear by Fromm, Acana or Wellness grain free kibbles. These can be found at private pet stores, or on Chewy.com. Fromm is no longer available on Chewy.com, after Petsmart bought the company.Tractor Supply also sells grain free kibbles under their own label, 4Health. Some have potatoes in them, while some do not. You'll need to read the labels carefully.I would avoid grain-based kibbles that advertise as being for skin sensitivites (Pro-Plan, Royal Canin, Science Diet). They are mainly grain, especially corn and wheat. These can drive a sensitive dog insane! Been there, done that.The rescue got her late Sunday evening, they took her to the vet Monday and got her checked out and spayed and we adopted her Wednesday so she was only there a few days but they had her on Natures Select and sent some home with us. I'm using that for now, haven't decided whether to continue or not.

Congratulations!Every dog handles foods differently. Since she hasn't been on one food for any length of time, I would start with your personal preferred food. If that doesn't cause problems then you're good to go. If you see any issues cropping up, then you can start trying some of these specific diets suugested.Basically, don't create a problem that may not exist. :)

We've been Rescued! | Good Sam Community

ro_sie
Explorer
Apr 01, 2018
Congratulations to you and your new family member! I love hearing that your new friend is a rescue and that she was spayed. Good for the rescue operation and good for you!
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Apr 01, 2018
Congratulations!

My staffordshire terrier has allergies and picky skin, he does really well on the Kirkland lamb kibble they sell at Costco. I also can't bathe him too often because he gets itchy. You'll figure out what works for your new family member.
ppine
Explorer II
Apr 01, 2018
A new dog is always a big deal. I love dogs. Congratulations. Frenchies are very interesting dogs. Lots of great new feeds out there. We feed our dogs a lot of meat which really helps their health. I took my last Border Collie backpacking when she was 16 years old.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Apr 01, 2018
Ed_Gee wrote:
Suggest you contact the French Bulldog Club of America

X2
You really should contact this group to get a referral in your area, Frenchie's do have some specific problems and they have wonderful mentors ready and eager to help you get to know the French Bull Dog Breed. And save you the frustration of misguided advice. :C

Congrats on your new pup!

Pictures, we need pictures of the new member of your family! :B
Crowe
Explorer
Apr 01, 2018
look at Purina one sensitive systems, its a combination skin and stomach based care food that is salmon based

They also have a lamb-based formula. My Springers did fine on the salmon but after a while just refused to eat it. Their breath was also awful. The are fine on the lamb.

The rescue got her late Sunday evening, they took her to the vet Monday and got her checked out and spayed and we adopted her Wednesday so she was only there a few days but they had her on Natures Select and sent some home with us. I'm using that for now, haven't decided whether to continue or not.

I'm also in the camp of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". If it's an issue of cost, compare ingredients with other brands and try to find one that matches.

Congrats on being rescued!
magnusfide
Explorer II
Apr 01, 2018
Congratulations on being rescued!
Pawz4me
Explorer
Mar 31, 2018
Congratulations!

I don't think you can outguess food allergies in advance. Dogs are like people--they can be allergic to literally anything. And hopefully she won't have any issues at all. If she was doing okay on the Nature's Select then I'd probably continue with it. If I wanted to go with something else I'd probably choose a more limited ingredient food versus one with a very long list of ingredients. That way if she reacts to something you're in a better place to start your detective work. Same is true for treats--simpler/fewer ingredients is probably better.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Mar 31, 2018
Congratulations!

Every dog handles foods differently. Since she hasn't been on one food for any length of time, I would start with your personal preferred food. If that doesn't cause problems then you're good to go. If you see any issues cropping up, then you can start trying some of these specific diets suugested.

Basically, don't create a problem that may not exist. :)
dspencer
Explorer
Mar 31, 2018
xteacher wrote:
What was the dog fed while at the rescue? If she did well on it, I'd continue feeding the same thing. If not, I'd try a grain free, fish-based kibble. Sweet potatoes seem to be tolerated better than white potatoes by many sensitive dogs. Some dogs do well on turkey or duck, as well (my sensitive girl cannot tolerate anything with feathers - lol). Every dog is different.

I have a dog who's very sensitive to many kibble ingredients,especially grains, white potatoes, and fowl. She does well on Earthborn Holistic Venture Alaska Pollock Meal & Pumpkin Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (she also does well on the pork flavor), Go! Sensitivity + Shine LID Pollock Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, and Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. Many people swear by Fromm, Acana or Wellness grain free kibbles. These can be found at private pet stores, or on Chewy.com. Fromm is no longer available on Chewy.com, after Petsmart bought the company.

Tractor Supply also sells grain free kibbles under their own label, 4Health. Some have potatoes in them, while some do not. You'll need to read the labels carefully.

I would avoid grain-based kibbles that advertise as being for skin sensitivites (Pro-Plan, Royal Canin, Science Diet). They are mainly grain, especially corn and wheat. These can drive a sensitive dog insane! Been there, done that.

The rescue got her late Sunday evening, they took her to the vet Monday and got her checked out and spayed and we adopted her Wednesday so she was only there a few days but they had her on Natures Select and sent some home with us. I'm using that for now, haven't decided whether to continue or not.
xteacher
Explorer
Mar 31, 2018
What was the dog fed while at the rescue? If she did well on it, I'd continue feeding the same thing. If not, I'd try a grain free, fish-based kibble. Sweet potatoes seem to be tolerated better than white potatoes by many sensitive dogs. Some dogs do well on turkey or duck, as well (my sensitive girl cannot tolerate anything with feathers - lol). Every dog is different.

I have a dog who's very sensitive to many kibble ingredients,especially grains, white potatoes, and fowl. She does well on Earthborn Holistic Venture Alaska Pollock Meal & Pumpkin Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (she also does well on the pork flavor), Go! Sensitivity + Shine LID Pollock Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, and Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. Many people swear by Fromm, Acana or Wellness grain free kibbles. These can be found at private pet stores, or on Chewy.com. Fromm is no longer available on Chewy.com, after Petsmart bought the company.

Tractor Supply also sells grain free kibbles under their own label, 4Health. Some have potatoes in them, while some do not. You'll need to read the labels carefully.

I would avoid grain-based kibbles that advertise as being for skin sensitivites (Pro-Plan, Royal Canin, Science Diet). They are mainly grain, especially corn and wheat. These can drive a sensitive dog insane! Been there, done that.