Raising dogs, in particular taking care of the french bulldog, is a specialty of people. Some experts say that dogs were domesticated between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, we have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, ranging in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the title of the tallest canine. But the most preferred dogs are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The french bulldog is another favorite pick among canine owners. Many owners are oblivious, however, of some important french bulldog care tips.
General health care cost for the french bulldog
The annual budget for taking care of the french bulldog—which includes food and snacks, veterinary care, toys and license—could range between four hundred twenty and $780. This doesn’t even account for capital costs for spay/neuter procedures, collar and leash, a dog carrier and a dog crate. Tip: Be sure you have all the necessary items before getting your french bulldog home for the first time.
Basic french bulldog Care
Feeding your french bulldog
- french bulldog pups between 8 and 12 weeks need 4 bowls of food daily.
- french bulldog puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals in a 24 hour period.
- Feed puppies 6 months old to 1 year 2 times every 24 hours.
- When your french bulldog hits his first birthday, one feeding every 24 hours is sufficient.
- Many times adult french bulldogs might do better with two smaller helpings. It’s your responsibility to adapt to your french bulldog’s eating tendencies.
Premium-quality dry dogfood provides a balanced diet for grown french bulldogs and may be mixed with canned food, water, or broth. Your french bulldog may also enjoy fruits and vegetables, cooked eggs, and cottage cheese, but these dishes should be less than ten pct of her daily nutrition. french bulldog puppies must be given top-quality, name brand puppy food. Please limit “people food”, however, because it can result in mineral and vitamin imbalances, bone and teeth problems, and may result in extremely finicky food choices and obesity. Clean, fresh water should be made only, and make sure to clean water and food dishes very frequently.
french bulldog Care Tips: Your french bulldog needs exercise daily
french bulldogs must have exercise to burn calories, recharge their brains, and maintain good health. Daily activity also tends to help french bulldogs fight boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior. Getting out of the house will curb most of your french bulldog’s desires to retrieve, dig, chew, chase and herd. Activity needs are dependent on your french bulldog’s level of health and his age—but merely a walk down the street every day and ten minutes in back of the house probably won’t be enough. If your french bulldog is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will probably be much more.
french bulldog Grooming Tips
You can help keep your french bulldog clean and reduce shedding with brushing. Check for fleas and ticks every day during warm weather. Sometimes french bulldogs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times during the year. Prior to giving him or her a bath, cut out or comb any mats from the french bulldog’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to soap residue.
french bulldog Handling
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are obviously the easiest to handle. While carrying the french bulldog puppy, take 1 of your hands and put it beneath the dog’s chest, with either the forearm or other hand supporting the back legs and rear. Don’t try to lift or grab your pup by his or her front legs, back of the neck or tail. When you must pick up a bigger, adult french bulldog, pick it up from the underside, bracing his chest with 1 of your arms and rump with the other arm.
Housing your french bulldog
Your french bulldog needs a cozy peaceful spot to be able to relax apart from all the breezes and away from the ground. You might wish to buy a doggie bed, or think about making one from a wooden box. Put a clean blanket, sheet, comforter, or pillow inside the bed for cushioning. Wash your french bulldog’s bed covering frequently. If the french bulldog will be outdoors often, make sure she has access to covering and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a dry, warm, covered shelter during the winter.
french bulldog Licensing and Identification
Your city has licensing regulations to heed. Be sure to affix the license to your french bulldog’s collar. The license, together with an identification tattoo or tag, could help you recover your french bulldog if she happens to go missing.
Info on french bulldog Temperament
Thoughts on Training Your french bulldog
Well-mannered, companion french bulldogs can truly be a blessing. However, when untrained, your dog will most likely be troublesome. Training your french bulldog on the fundamentals—”Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, and “Leave it”—will improve your relationship both with your dog and your house guests. If you have a puppy, begin training him on the right behavior ASAP! Use snacks as recognition and incentive. Pups should begin obedience class when they have been adequately vaccinated. Contact your local humane society or SPCA for information on training school recommendations. Invariably you should keep your french bulldog leashed in public, even while a pup. Be positive your french bulldog will come to you when you say. An aggressive or disobedient french bulldog cannot play with people.
The Health of Your french bulldog
french bulldogs should visit the veterinarian for a thorough assessment, innoculations and a heartworm assessment annualy, and as soon as possible when she is ill or injured.
The Dental Health of Your french bulldog
While many of us might object to our french bulldog’s halitosis, we must pay attention to what it may be a sign of. Foul-smelling breath is usually a sign that your french bulldog should have an oral examination. Plaque , which is a result of unhealthy bacteria brings a terrible smell that can only be eliminated by the help of a professional. Once your french bulldog has had a cleaning from a professional, his gums and teeth can be kept up by brushing regularly, feeding a special diet focused on dental health, and eliminating table food. The veterinarian can show you additional tips on eradicating periodontal disease as well as halitosis. You can easily brush the french bulldog’s teeth with a dog toothpaste or a homemade paste made of baking soda and water a couple of times per week. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger. Some french bulldogs develop periodontal disease, sometimes referred to as gum disease. This dreadful disease will sometimes result in tooth loss and also cause diseases throughout his body. The vet can clean your dog’s teeth at a typical checkup.
Bad Breath in french bulldogs
If your french bulldog has smelly breath, gum disease may not necessarily be the only disease, as other illnesses have that symptom. Diseases of the liver or intestines also cause halitosis, and a pleasant, even fruity smell can usually be indicative of diabetes. If your french bulldog’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, kidney disease may be the cause. Any time you determine your french bulldog has halitosis along with other symptoms of disease, like diminished appetite, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, bad mood, increased drinking and urinating, set an assessment with her veterinarian.
Dealing with Fleas and Ticks in french bulldogs
Daily, regular inspections of your french bulldog for ticks and fleas in the summer are of utmost importance. Use a flea comb to remove fleas. There are several new techniques of flea and tick control. Ask your veterinarian about her recommendations.
Heartworms in french bulldogs
Your french bulldog is at risk of contracting heartworms if he is exposed to mosquitoes often. Mosquitoes carry the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infections are potentially fatal. Your french bulldog should have a blood test for heartworms each and every spring—this is necessary to stop infestations from the earlier year. You should also give your french bulldog a monthly pill throughout mosquito season in order to protect him from heartworms. If you ever vacation south with your french bulldog in winter, your dog needs to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the warmer areas, vets advise preventive worm medication throughout the year.
Toxins and Medications
If you’re considering giving your french bulldog tablets that was not prescribed for her by his vet, don’t even think about it. For example, are you aware that one ibuprofen caplet will sometimes cause ulcers in some dogs Make sure your french bulldog is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. When you believe your doggie has consumed a toxic substance, call the vet or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24-hr. animal poison information.
french bulldogs: Spaying and Neutering
It is recommended that male french bulldogs should be neutered – the removal of the testes – and females spayed – the removal of the uterus and ovaries – by six months old. You usually will significantly diminish your female french bulldog’s risk of breast cancer by spaying before adulthood. The possibility of an infected uterus, which is also a serious disease that impacts more mature females, can also be removed by spaying while young. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, certain types of aggressions and some hernias are all preventable by neutering males.
french bulldog Immunizations
- Your french bulldog puppy should be immunized with a combination innoculation (called a “5-in-one”) at 2, 3 and four months of age, and again once every year. This immunization immunizes your pup from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. Your french bulldog puppy’s innoculation program cannot be finished prior to four months of age.
- If you have the rare french bulldog who has not been immunized and is older than 4 or five months, she must get a set of 2 vaccinations two to 3 weeks apart, followed by an annual vaccination.
- french bulldog pup socialization and immunization should go together. Many veterinarians advise that new owners bring their french bulldog pups to socialization classes, as early as 8 or nine weeks of age. At this point, they should have already received their first series of vaccines.
Regulations are so different between different areas, that it’s best to contact your neighborhood vet for rabies innoculation info. As an example, New York City laws state that pets older than three months be vaccinated for rabies. The original rabies innoculation must be followed by another shot the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are several immunizations, many of which are right for your french bulldog. Others, however, are not. Your veterinarian can tell youmore about them. You should be aware, if your french bulldog happens to get sick because he is not vaccinated, the innoculation ought to be taken once your dog is better.
Roundworms in french bulldogs
french bulldogs are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—in all areas, both urban and rural. Tiny eggs made by hookworms are transmitted through an infested french bulldog’s feces. Even the healthiest of french bulldog puppies carry intestinal worms. An accurate, early diagnosis is the secret to effective treatment. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be highly effective against your french bulldog’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best determine the culprit—and prescribe the most effective medicine.
french bulldog Care Tips: Additional Info
Checklist of french bulldog Supplies
- Excellent-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for french bulldogs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush & comb for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with license and identification tag
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Dog bed or box with sheet or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to french bulldogs:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocolate, tea, coffee, or any other caffeinated foods
- Grapes & raisins
- Spoiled or moldy food
- Onions, chives & garlic
- Poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
Final Thoughts
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured place, keep your french bulldog on a leash at all times. If your french bulldog goes #2 on your neighbor’s grass, his sidewalk or any other public spot, please take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about french bulldogs
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