French Bulldogs swept the world off its feet.
In this post we shall discuss do french bulldogs have health issues ?
Little charmers capture hearts, bat-like ears, and quirky expressions in tow.
The top five most popular dog breeds worldwide, they even edged out Labradors and German Shepherds in parts of the United Kingdom and the United States.
Not easily done given they are relatively new to the limelight.
But with booms in their popularity come ever-increasing scrutiny of their health.
Under that cute squashed face and compact physique lies a whole mess of underlying health issues that many of the new owners are surprised to find.
Cute as they are, full of character, and undeniably adorable, French bulldogs have some problems with health that can dramatically affect their quality of life and sometimes surprise owners at the vet’s office.
So, the question stands: Are these lovable companions as healthy as they are charming?
In this blog, we’ll explore the most common health issues that French Bulldogs face and dig into why these problems arise.
If you’re a Frenchie owner or thinking about becoming one, read on to understand what caring for this adorable breed truly entails.
Do french bulldogs have health issues ?
What are some common health issues in French Bulldogs?
The Struggle to Breathe
That pretty cute flat French Bulldog face comes with a rather hefty price tag: brachycephalic airway syndrome.
The flat-faced, or brachycephalic breeds, suffer from narrowed airways that can make it difficult to breathe.
French Bulldogs commonly labored with short walks and playtime, and they may even experience some interruptions while sleeping due to snoring or gasping for air.
They have to fight for their breath every day of their lives, especially during the warm seasons, when the danger of heat aggravates the situation and older Frenchies get into more trouble because they lose their respiratory capacity.
Why It Matters:
Never really catch your breath. This is the reality for most French Bulldogs. Careful owners will monitor their Frenchies during exercise and expose them to hot or humid environments only where breathing difficulties are likely to peak.
Back and joint weaknesses
Under their muscular frame, French Bulldogs usually manifest many skeletal defects but the most recurrent are hip dysplasias and intervertebral disc disease ( IVDD).
The former will experience chronic pain in the involved joint due to malformations in the hip joint of dysplasia.
IVDD can be the cause of slips or ruptures of the discs within the spine that would eventually result in paralysis once conditions deteriorate.
For instance, there is Luna, a four-year-old French Bulldog suffering from IVDD.
From playing and bouncing around, she had to be placed on a mobility cart because she was putting too much pressure on her spine.
Such conditions do not allow comfort in movement and are therefore lifelong, hence the need to manage pain, physical therapy, or surgery in the worst cases.
Your Frenchie would need support on their joints with a good diet, management of weight, and some low-impact exercises so they do not get problems like joint and back diseases.
Avoid stairs; do not overjump them to protect fragile joints.
Tender skin and allergies
Their cute wrinkles and folds tend to attract more dirt, moisture, and bacteria that like to stay. Along with this, Frenchies get exposed to many cases of skin infections and allergies that develop conditions like dermatitis and yeast infections.
Most of them suffer from itchy and inflamed skin from the allergic conditions from food, pollen, and other environmental allergies.
Owners can prevent the occurrence of skin problems in Frenchies by maintaining cleanliness and dryness in their skin folds, especially in the face and neck area.
Tip: Specialized shampoos, hypoallergenic diets, and even regular allergy testing can manage these skin-related challenges.
Eye Conditions
Eye Diseases to look for Despite having big and expressive eyes, the breed is still prone to a wide range of eye problems.
Some of the most common are cherry eye, where the tear gland bulges; cataracts, which blind; and dry eye, which can cause pain or total blindness.
Medication or surgery would be necessary to address these eye problems. In most cases, however, a French Bulldog needs lifelong care for its eyes.
Routine Check-Ups with a Vet would also point to problems with the eyes of the French Bulldog.
This veterinarian can help in guiding owners on keeping their French Bulldog’s eyes clean, and he may also be able to point out the early signs of irritation or discharge.
Digestive and dietary sensitivities
French Bulldogs are stomach-sensitive dogs with gastrointestinal problems, including gas, diarrhea, or food intolerance.
Many suffer from trouble digesting various foods, especially those items high in fat, grain, or artificial additives, leading to uncomfortable bloating and digestive upsets but, in some cases, even allergic reactions.
Diet Tips: Feed a very high-quality, limited-ingredient diet that addresses sensitive stomach digestive flare-ups. Avoid table foods or treat foods containing any artificial ingredients, as their stomach can easily flare over these foods.