Humans, as well as dogs, suffer from environmental and other types of allergies. French Bulldogs are no exception. Keeping your Frenchie free of allergic reactions is important so they enjoy healthy lives. You can recognize and treat allergies effectively by paying attention to changes in your French Bulldog’s health. Itching, vomiting, weight loss, or other visible signs of distress may occur if your French Bulldog is having allergic reactions. Learning about common food, environmental, and skin allergies will help you identify and treat these conditions early to minimize their effects.
Do French Bulldogs Get Allergies?
Simply put, yes. Food, environmental, and skin allergies affect French Bulldogs as much as most other breeds of dogs. Due to their genetics, French Bulldogs might be more prone to certain allergic conditions.
Are French Bulldogs Prone to Allergies?
Allergies are typically a universal affliction that can affect humans and dogs alike, regardless of breed or overall health. French Bulldogs carry certain genetics that are passed down through generations that may make them more prone to allergies than some other dog breeds. One common type of allergy that affects French Bulldogs is Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD). This is a skin allergy that is worsened by mold, dust mites, or other allergens.
Common Types of French Bulldog Allergies
- Food allergies – Perhaps the most common allergy your French Bulldog will experience are food allergies. Luckily, these types of allergies can be relatively easy to treat. The reason dogs get food allergies is due to an interaction in their intestines. Antibodies located in the intestine clash with allergens in the food to cause a reaction. After a dog has been affected by this allergy, visible signs can become pronounced because of a histaminic response. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a more advanced medical condition from food allergies. If you suspect your French Bulldog is suffering from food related allergies a veterinarian can help diagnose the problem. Typically, a veterinarian will use an elimination diet process to determine what is causing the food allergy.
- Environmental allergies – These types of allergies can be stimulated by environmental allergens like grass, pollen, dust, and cleaning products. Environmental allergies affect French Bulldogs as much as other dogs. These types of allergies may be more prevalent at certain times of the year, but can be triggered at any time. Signs of respiratory distress, itching, and sneezing might be due to environmental allergic reactions.
- Skin allergies – French Bulldogs have short, smooth coats with loose skin. This can be an advantage for French Bulldog owners because allergy affected skin can be easy to identify and treat early on. Having said that, French Bulldogs may be a little more prone to skin allergies due to their genetics and body type. French Bulldogs can develop canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) so owners should make sure to stay on top of skin lesions, dry and flaky skin, or other signs of allergic reactions on the skin.
Foods That Give French Bulldog Allergies
There are certain types of foods that are good to avoid when feeding your French Bulldog. For the most part, you should avoid giving your dog wheat, corn, and soy. Even though you might need to put your pet on a grain-free diet, this doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t eat any plants. You can include carrots, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato, and various other vegetables in their diet, paying close attention to any issues that come up after they eat specific things. Those types of food shouldn’t cause your Frenchie to have excessive flatulence and other issues with gas.
What Is My French Bulldog Allergic To?
You’ll need to keep a close eye on your pet and determine what, if any, allergies they may have. Look out for the following symptoms of allergies.
Symptoms of Food Allergy
It can take some time in order to detect food allergies for your dog. This is because the vet is going to recommend that you give the elimination diet a try. Such a diet consists of giving your French Bulldog one source of carbohydrate and one source of protein for about 12 weeks.
Itchy Skin
If you notice that your Frenchie is itching and scratching in areas such as their stomach, ears, butt, and paws, it’s a good possibility they have a food allergy.
Unusual Spots and Rashes
Is your French Bulldog biting and scratching themselves? You might see they have patches, hives, and spots that become red and inflamed. This is especially the case if they appear shortly after your dog eats.
Hair Loss
You may also see some hair loss such as bald patches and dandruff, as well as more oily skin that can make your pet smelly.
Ear and Paw Infections
If your dog experiences repetitive ear and paw infection, it can be a sign of them having a food allergy. They are more likely to indicate that your pet has a food insensitivity that is a gradual process.
Swollen Face
French Bulldogs may have a swollen face in the areas of their eyelids, ears, and/or lips. This is one of the more severe things that can happen as a result of a food allergy.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
A fast and obvious symptom that your dog is experiencing a food allergy is that they regurgitate or poop the item out.
Symptoms of Environmental Allergy
Environmental allergies can be easier to spot when it comes to dogs. This is because you’ll often see a reaction right after they’ve come into contact with the allergen. You should pay close attention to your Frenchie’s routine so that you can pinpoint what’s causing them issues. For instance, if you notice that your dog throws up or develops a rash or spots after drinking out of their plastic bowl, they could be allergic to the plastic. If they start wheezing or scratching right after a walk, it could be the flowers or weeds that they were rolling in or sniffing.
Treating Your French Bulldog Allergies
After you found out your French Bulldogs allergies, the next step is to know what to do about them.
Remove the Allergen
If you can determine without a doubt (or little doubt) what the allergen is, you can take it away from your pet. Buy a stainless steel bowl(s). Switch out their shampoo. Eliminate specific foods from their diet. You should see improvement within a short period of time.
Allergy Supplements
There are a few types of supplements that are particularly good for itchy dogs. These include probiotics, omega fatty acids, L-theanine, magnesium, and quercetin. They should improve their immune response when the dog is experiencing an allergic reaction.
Allergy Medication
There are some medications that a veterinarian can prescribe to your dog. Be sure to bring your pet in and determine the cause so that the doctor can find the right fit in medication. This should lead to a healthier and happier life for your French Bulldog.
