In this research you will know the answer to the query “Why Is My French Bulldog Not Eating?“.
The problems associated with underweight French Bulldogs were discussed in a previous post.
However in this post I will go into great detail about the reasons why a French Bulldog might not be eating.
It is really distressing and worrisome if you notice that your Frenchie has stopped eating suddenly. Even more so if it is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting shaking or having a fever.
Learn more about appetite stimulants for dogs.
When a pet is ill the first thing most owners do is call the veterinarian. For you to come up with the right treatment plan it is important that you determine the cause. Therefore we have explained how to fix it in this research along with the possible reasons. Continue reading.
9 Possible Reasons Why Your French Bulldog Won’t Eat
Dogs can become unable to eat for a variety of reasons. It may just be that they are full. In contrast if it continues for several days then thats a whole other story.
Here are some possible causes for your pets unwillingness to eat:
1. Anxiety and Stress
Symptoms such as pacing whining barking yawning or shedding may indicate that your French Bulldog is experiencing stress and anxiety. Yes dogs can also be stressed out or anxious about something just like humans can. This causes them to lose their appetites.
Anxiety and stress may be experienced by French people as a result of aging fear and separation. A veterinarian may prescribe medications training preventative strategies or a combination of them depending on what is causing your dogs mental disorders.
2. Dental Issues
Besides dental problems French Bulldogs’ appetite can also be affected by dental problems. He could have loose or decaying teeth gum infections or even cuts in his mouth. Check your Frenchies mouth to see if any of the things that we have discussed are present. It can also tell you if something is wrong with his teeth and gums if he has bad breath.
When a dog has dental problems he would not be able to eat well. If he is in pain he might not even want to eat at all. It would be best if you took your dog to a veterinary dentist at this point.
3. Upset Stomach
An upset stomach can also contribute to a French Bulldog not eating and throwing up. He may have eaten something that upset his stomach. There is a possibility that he has diarrhea as well. You can help him a great deal if you give him bland foods such as steamed or boiled chicken with rice. Your pets stomach should be neutralized by this. However if this does not work you might think about taking your dog to the vet so the problem can be addressed right away. If not your Frenchie could become dehydrated which may worsen his health.
4. Medications
When was the last time you had your French Bulldog vaccinated? Maybe you prescribed him some medication. Medication can also affect your dogs appetite. Drugs that suppress appetite should not last very long but some drugs are appetite suppressants. It should be fine for him to eat again once the pills have passed through his system.
You should take your dog back to the vet if he is still refusing to eat after a couple of days.
5. Appetite Changes With Age
The way we eat decreases with age and the same is true for our dogs. The French Bulldogs sense of smell also deteriorates over time and this causes them to not be as excited when they see food as they used to be.
Also older Frenchies have a higher risk of developing dental and health problems. That is why they tend to eat less than younger Frenchies.
6. Changes to Food
I can tell you from experience that Frenchies are very stubborn! You may not be able to get your dog to eat the new food whether it is a brand or a diet. This could go on for days as he simply sniffs at the food bowl without eating any of it.
What are your plans to deal with this? To begin with you need to transition him from his old food to the new one. Mix 70 percent of the old food with 30 percent of the new food. Increasing the amount of the new food while decreasing the amount of the previous food gradually. That should help your dog adjust.
You should also avoid giving your Frenchie snacks or treats between meals. If you do he will crave his new food. This is exactly how the starvation method works.
7. Overfeeding on Snacks
Similar to what we have said above your Frenchie will not eat if he is still full from the snacks you have been giving him. Although it is nice to spoil your dog overdoing it will not really benefit him or you. If you give him some treats make sure that it is not too much.
8. Someone Else Is Feeding Them
Does your Frenchie look full and do you know for sure that you did not give him any treats? Then he might have been fed by someone else. You might have a neighbor or someone in your family who fed him.
As a result you should observe how your dog behaves and what it does. He may be receiving food from someone in your neighborhood if he goes out a lot. It is not a bad thing but you have to be careful because the individual may not be familiar with your pets medical history. If your pet is allergic to some foods you should be aware.
9. Serious Health Issues
Some of the reasons for the loss of appetite that we listed above are temporary. If your Frenchie hasnot eaten for the past 48 hours it could be an indication of something more serious.
The fact that your French Bulldog is not eating and seems lethargic tells you theres something more going on especially if he displays unruly or aggressive behavior diarrhea vomiting or rapid weight loss. Take your dog to the vet if he does not eat and appears lethargic so he can be checked and treated.
What To Do if Frenchie Refuses To Eat
In addition to the things that we have already discussed there are other steps you can take if your Frenchie refuses to eat. Providing it isnot related to a health problem you can try modifying his diet. It is possible to completely change his diet or to add something exciting to his current diet.
Another option is to serve soft foods. Feeding tubes and syringes may also be employed. If this does not work a veterinarians intervention may be necessary. He can run various tests to figure out whats causing the lack of appetite. In addition he can administer intravenous fluids to your French Bulldog if he has not eaten for two days.
A veterinarian can also prescribe antibiotics and appetite-suppressing drugs.
Not Eating in Hot weather
The tendency to eat less in hot weather is another similarity between Frenchies and human beings when it comes to eating habits. As a result dogs and humans will have a difficult time digesting their food if it is too hot. In addition they may be less active which may affect their metabolic rate. Due to this it is highly recommended that you serve your dog light food during the summer.
Donot serve your French Bulldog large pieces of meat or vegetables to prevent them from choking. If you cut them up your pet will be able to bite and chew them more easily. It is also recommended that you feed your Frenchie in a room with a lower temperature.
Walking your dog regularly will also help since this will allow him to burn more calories. After walking around the block a few times he’ll surely feel hungry.
Common Eating Mistakes
In some cases it is our behavior as pet owners that are keeping our dogs from eating. You might have rebranded his food overnight without following the proper process of transitioning from one food to another. Perhaps you do not give him an ‘alone time’ during feeding time making him feel self-conscious while you are watching him eat. Perhaps you have been spoiling him a lot by giving him too many treats throughout the day. Avoid doing all of these things.
Furthermore you must learn more about what human food can be eaten by French bulldogs. You should always keep in mind that not all foods you eat can be shared with your pet no matter how much he begs for them.
Conclusion
Like humans French Bulldogs may lose their appetite at some point. If that is the case you need to determine why so that you can address it properly. Unless it is something serious you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.
