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6 Remedies & Supplements For Your French Bulldog’s Diarrhea, Gas, Vomiting, or Upset Stomach

By: Tarit Das
Tarit is a Special Projects Coordinator at iHeartDogs.com, iHeartCats.com, and The Hero Company. He likes pets for their honesty and loyalty and believes they have no match. They are one of the most selfless creatures and just love to be around their owners.Read more
| January 1, 2022

If your french bulldog is experiencing diarrhea, gas, upset stomach, or vomiting, life can be hell for both you and your beloved pooch. 😢

Related: 12 Best Probiotics for Dogs

French Bulldogs can experience gastrointestinal issues for a myriad of reasons, but fortunately many of these issues can be alleviated at home with a few natural remedies or supplements. However, if your french bulldog is consistently experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, make an appointment with your veterinarian right away.

Here’s 5 remedies or supplements for your french bulldog’s tummy trouble today:

1. Fast Your French Bulldog for 12-24 Hours

Sometimes all a dog needs is time for their gastrointestinal tract to heal and reset. Withholding food for 12 – 24 hours allows the system to flush out whatever nastiness caused the issue and reboot to a healthy state. It’s important to keep your french bulldog hydrated, even during a fast. However, do not let them drink too much at once, as this could cause vomiting or set off another bout of diarrhea.

Related: 9 Best Pill Pockets for Dogs

2. Give Your French Bulldog Bland Diet for a Few Days

At the end of a fast it’s best to slowly introduce a diet of bland, easily digestible food. Try boiled, unseasoned, skinless white meat chicken shredded over plain white rice. For dogs on grain-free diets, substitute mashed over-ripe banana or canned pumpkin. Feed a few spoon-fulls every 2 – 3 hours and gradually increase the quantity over a 24 hour period.

Next, begin a slow re-introduction of their normal food by serving a 75% bland/25% regular diet mix for a few meals, followed by a 50/50 mix, followed by a 75% regular/25% bland, until your dog is eating exclusively dog food again.

 

3. Use a Multi-Strain Probiotic for Your French Bulldog’s Diarrhea or Gas

Diarrhea not only clears away the unhealthy bacteria in the gut, it also destroys the healthy flora. To reintroduce these living, beneficial cultures, opt for a canine probiotic. Plain yogurt may help, but does not pack nearly the same punch as a high-potency probiotic packed with the right cultures. Make sure you choose a product that contains multiple strains of good bacteria, not just one. The probiotic soft chew we use here at iHeartDogs has 3 strains of probiotics. This probiotic is also available on Amazon Prime.

Using a probiotic is also helpful for reducing your french bulldog’s gas, or transitioning them to a new food.

 

4. Give Your French Bulldog a Prebiotic Supplement or Pumpkin

Canned pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filler!), slippery elm, chia seeds, and plantains are all forms of prebiotics which are reported to offer natural GI-healing benefits. Prebiotics are a non-digestible ingredient that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines. In other words, PRE-biotics are basically the food that PRO-biotics needs to thrive.

Pureed pumpkin is packed with fiber which helps to bulk up the stool. Slippery elm is said to coat and sooth mucus membranes – including the GI tract. Chia seeds are packed with fiber and absorb excess water, and plantains have antimocrobial properties. As always, consult your vet before making changes to your dog’s diet. Some high quality supplements, like this dog prebiotic chew, already contain pumpkin in them.

 

5. Try Giving Your French Bulldog Digestive Enzymes to Improve Digestion

Oftentimes the cause of your french bulldog’s stomach issue may be related to incomplete digestion. Some french bulldog’s have trouble digesting protein, fats, carbohydrates, or fiber. Digestive enzymes help your french bulldog break down and absorb each of these nutrients. Failure to absorb nutrients can result in bouts of runny poos, so these vital enzymes can help.

  1. Protease: Breaks down proteins into amino acids, improving digestion of meats in particular
  2. Amylase: Breaks down starches into carbohydrate molecules that your french bulldog’s can digest
  3. Lipase: Breaks down fats in your french bulldog’s gut
  4. Cellulase: Breaks down fiber from plants & grains.

Any good digestive enzyme supplement for dogs should include all 4 of these enzymes.

 

If you were to give your french bulldog one supplement, make it this one!

Providing all in one probiotic, prebiotic, & digestive enzyme supplement is the easiest way to ensure that your pup is getting the microflora they need to encourage an optimally functioning GI tract.

Learn About the 3-in-1 Probiotic, Prebiotic, & Digestive Enzyme Supplement Recommended by iHeartDogs

This probiotic is also available on Amazon Prime.

 

Additional FAQs About Your French Bulldog’s Gastroenteritis, Gas, Diarrhea, Bloating, or Vomiting

Should I Use a Probiotic When Transitioning My French Bulldog to a New Food?

Probiotics are also very useful in preventing diarrhea when transitioning your french bulldog to a new food. First, give your french bulldog a probiotic for a week or so before introducing the new food. Then slowly increase the amount of new food while continuing to feed some of the old. During this time, continue giving the probiotic until the transition to 100% of the new food is complete.

My French Bulldog Recently Was Given an Antibiotic. Should I also Give a Probiotic?

Yes! Antibiotics destroy both good and bad bacteria in your french bulldog’s body. Giving a probiotic while taking a antibiotic will help replenish the good strains of bacteria your dog needs in their gut.

Can a Probiotic Reduce My French Bulldog’s Gas?

Can your french bulldog’s gas clear a room? Even something as trivial as your french bulldog’s smelly farts can be helped by a good quality probiotic. It’s an easy way to improve the air quality in your home! 😜

What Causes Diarrhea & Vomiting with My French Bulldog? 

There are many possible causes of your french bulldog’s tummy troubles:

  • Certain viruses can cause stomach upset, such as parvovirus for puppies
  • Eating a food not appropriate for dogs, especially fatty foods
  • A food allergy or intolerance
  • Swallowing a foreign non-food object
  • Sudden changes in food. Most dogs need to be transitioned slowly to a new food brand while taking a probiotic
  • Side effect of a medication, especially a new one. Antibiotics are notorious for causing diarrhea in dogs.
  • Intestinal parasites
  • Poisons or toxins
  • Pancreatitis
  • Chronic disease such as IBD  (inflammatory bowel disease)
  • Stress due to boarding at a kennel, visiting a vet, or rehoming. Dogs in shelters are particularly prone to bouts of diarrhea.

Always note the color and consistency of your french bulldog’s poop or vomit. As unpleasant as it might be, take a picture of it that you can show your veterinarian.

Frequently Ask Questions:

If your French bulldog vomits on repeat, you may wonder why it’s part of their daily repertoire. You might also be wondering if it’s safe for your dog to keep vomiting or if it’s harming their health. Get answers to all the answers you need to know if it’s time to change your dog’s diet or take them to the veterinarian. 

Why Is My French Bulldog Throwing Up White Foam?

If your French Bulldog vomits white foam, see a vet, as it could be a gastrointestinal problem. White foam vomit in a French Bulldog might indicate stomach dilatation or gastric torsion. Your Frenchie’s foamy vomit is generated by the vomit reacting with the air and turning it foamy. 

Your French Bulldog’s white foam vomiting has many causes. Before you panic, examine your French Bulldog’s vomit first. It could be airway clearing, not vomit. French Bulldogs are brachycephalic and can choke, or it may just be saliva. However, vomiting may be a sign that your French Bulldog is sick. 

When the French Bulldog’s stomach is blocked, it vomits white foam, but elderly pets are more susceptible. Additionally, overexerting your French Bulldog after eating might cause bloat and white foam vomit. Even with light walks, some vets recommend waiting 30 minutes after a meal. While there may be other causes, your vet will be able to figure out the cause, as the other causes are less likely. 

Why Do French Bulldogs Throw Up?

Frenchies cannot tell you if they are bothered or if they got into something.

First, consider environmental changes or toxins or chemicals near your dog. 

Also, consider dietary changes, as Frenchies have sensitive stomachs. 

They are allergic to oily, by-product-rich food. Avoid chicken skin, eggs, and dairy. Changing your dog’s diet can cause vomiting. Even something as simple as giving them table scraps can cause your dog to vomit. 

Frenchies can vomit for weeks. Dogs usually vomit a few times in the first week and act normally, so people do not call the vet. However, it can indicate a deeper problem, so contact your vet right away. 

Next, brachycephalic French bulldogs often vomit. Their cute, short snout makes it hard for them to eat and digest food. This can cause vomiting, gagging, and foamy regurgitation. There is nothing worse than seeing your pet sick, which is why you should take your brachycephalic dog to the vet for additional tips for their specific needs. 

Do French Bulldogs Have Sensitive Stomachs?

Frenchie owners can struggle to find the right food as these dogs tend to have sensitive stomachs. More often than not, food allergies cause most Frenchies stomach trouble. In addition, food allergies can cause skin irritation and prevent your Frenchie from digesting food properly. 

Frenchies often suffer from brachycephalic syndrome-related illnesses. This syndrome affects “brachycephalic breeds” like French bulldogs, English bulldogs, pugs, etc. The short muzzle, wide skull, flat upper jaw, and narrow nostrils can make eating without trouble complicated. This causes health and respiratory problems that cause them to breathe through their mouths, causing stomach discomfort and gas. 

How To Help French Bulldog Gas?

Help your French Bulldog with their gas problem by determining what causes their gas. Many bulldogs have problems with beans, soy, dairy, certain veggies, corn, starch, and low-quality foods. A change in diet is frequently the first step in treating a French Bulldog with flatulence, as their gassiness may be caused by various dietary variables. 

To cut down on their farting, you might also try using a slow-feed dish to slow down how fast they eat. If changing your Frenchie’s food does not help, and inflammatory bowel illness has been ruled out, your vet may suggest medication. However, probiotics reduce bloating by aiding digestion and reducing E. Salmonella or E. coli development. 

Is It Normal For French Bulldogs To Vomit?

It is true that French bulldogs commonly vomit; however, we should not generalize simply because it does happen frequently. As is human nature, whether we eat the incorrect item, something nasty, or simply have a sensitive stomach, our body usually expels it through vomiting. The French bulldog is a fragile breed, and in this particular instance, illnesses that induce vomiting frequently impact their stomach.

What To Feed A French Bulldog With A Sensitive Stomach?

Choosing the right food for your French bulldog can be difficult, especially with so many options. Your options may dwindle if your Frenchie has allergies or a sensitive stomach. A freshly prepared, home-cooked diet can be the answer to your dog’s food allergies. 

You have complete control over the ingredient list when you cook your own food, which is a significant advantage. Additionally, depending on how your Frenchie responds to the ingredients, you can add or remove them. If you intend to start preparing meals for your Frenchie, seek advice from a veterinarian and make sure your recipe is balanced by using a supplement blend.

Moreover, you can find food specialized for French Bulldogs. You may need to try a few brands and styles before you find the option that works best for your dog. When in doubt, take your dog to their veterinarian for additional guidance and suggestions. 

What To Give A French Bulldog With An Upset Stomach?

Sometimes all a dog needs is some time for their digestive system to recover and start over. When food is withheld for 12 to 24 hours, the body can flush out whatever icky thing caused the problem and reset to a healthy state. Even when they are fasting, it’s crucial to keep your french bulldog hydrated but slowly to prevent another round of diarrhea or vomiting. 

It is recommended to gradually transition from a fast to a bland, easily absorbed diet. Try serving plain white rice with shredded boiled, unseasoned, white flesh chicken. Replace it with canned pumpkin or mashed overripe banana for dogs on grain-free diets. Feed a few spoonfuls every two to three hours, then gradually increase the amount over the course of a day. 

Incomplete digestion is frequently the root of your french bulldog’s stomach problem. Some french bulldogs have a hard time breaking down fiber, protein, or lipids. Instead, each of these nutrients is broken down and absorbed by your french bulldog with the aid of digestive enzymes. Try adding protease, amylase, lipase, and cellulase to their diet, along with a probiotic, to help with digestion.

Why Does My French Bulldog Have Runny Poop?

Numerous factors could be to blame for your french bulldog’s stomach issues, including:

Eating foods that are inappropriate for dogs, especially fatty foods 

Food allergies or intolerances 

Swallowing a foreign object that isn’t food 

Sudden changes in food While using a probiotic, most dogs need to gradually transition to a new food brand. 

A new medication’s side effects. 

Antibiotics are notorious for causing diarrhea in dogs. 

Pancreatitis 

Chronic conditions like IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) 

Stress from kennel boarding, vet visits, or being rehomed. 

Intestinal parasites

Always take note of your french bulldog’s poop or vomit’s color and consistency. Then, take a picture of it, no matter how uncomfortable it may seem, and show it to your veterinarian.

Why Is My French Bulldog Throwing Up Yellow Foam?

One of the few canine breeds with a higher propensity for bile vomiting than other breeds is the Frenchie. Often it’s caused by something harmless such as eating too much grass or fats. However, even too much water can lead to yellow foam. Other illnesses can be the cause, so if this is a new issue, take your bulldog to the veterinarian to ensure it’s not something serious like stomach ulcers or an intestinal blockage.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No product is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.

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