Allergies are not necessarily influenced by a Frenchie’s gender, size, breed or age – but some breeds are certainly more susceptible to both food and environmental allergies.
Do Frenchies get Allergies?
Like many other breeds, French Bulldogs have been known to be sensitive to allergens found in food or the environment around them, so learning to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction will help your Frenchie enjoy a healthy life.
The rest of this article will look at the most common French Bulldog allergies and how you can go about treating them.
Types of Frenchie Allergies
Food Allergies
There are many food allergies French Bulldogs have in common with other breeds of dog.
Food allergies in dogs are caused when the antibodies inside the frenchie’s intestine suffer an interaction with a particular allergen in the food. When this happens, frenchie’s have a histaminic response, just like humans, and their body responds with symptoms that are typically visible.
The most common food allergy is related to certain proteins, which requires your Frenchie to have more lean meat.
The foods below are known to cause allergic reactions to French Bulldogs which irritate their immune system:
- Dairy Products
- Chicken
- Beef
- Some fish
- Wheat
- Lamb
- Corn
- Soy
- Chicken eggs
Environmental Allergies
In addition to food allergies, Frenchies and other canines can be allergic to environmental factors as well.
Environmental allergies react pretty much like food allergens. A frenchie antibodies can become hypersensitive when your frenchie comes into contact with the allergen that doesn’t mix with their makeup.
When this happens, the oversensitive antibodies release an excessive amount of histamine resulting in an allergic reaction.
The environmental agents below are known to cause allergic reactions:
- Dust mites
- Animal dander
- Airborne pollen
- Mold spores
Food Allergy Symptoms
Food allergies in French Bulldogs and other canines can appear at any given moment just like humans. The symptoms vary depending on how serious the allergic reaction is.
When your dog suffers from a food allergy, they will begin to show the following signs:
- Gastrointestinal response. The most common abdominal response to food allergies is diarrhea, vomiting, and non-stop flatulence that will have you reaching for cover! Frenchies may also not digest their meal and can develop pancreatitis, dehydration, or other dangerous medical conditions.
- Skin conditions. Like humans, Frenchies can suffer irritable skin conditions from their food allergies. Their skin will erupt and burst into itchy, painful hives, rashes, bumps, sores, hyperpigmentation, and more. Open skin sores are prone to developing bacterial and fungal infections that must be tended to in order to prevent the open wound from becoming infected.
Environmental Allergy Symptoms
Frenchie’s usually develop hereditary chronic environmental allergies between the ages of three and six. Like humans, these environmental allergies present themselves as a topic dermatitis causing the skin to be hypersensitive to allergens that manifest themselves as hay fever, asthma, or irritated scabbed skin, and rashes.
Environmental allergies are permanent and have no cure. However, they can be controlled with medication.
When Frenchies suffer from an environmental allergy, they will scratch, rub, and lick their effected areas excessively.
The most inflamed parts of the body that dogs will chew, lick or scratch are:
- Groin area or stomach
- Toes and feet
- Ears
- Eyes, nose or face
You should be particularly careful if your Frenchie’s face is irritated, because their skin folds can mask painful allergies or rashes!
Food Allergy Treatment
In order to determine if your Frenchie is allergic to a specific food,the simplest way to figure it out is by doing an elimination diet. Remove any potential food allergens from your dogs diet for 7-10 days and see if the symptoms subside. If they do, slowly add items back into their diet until you find the culprit.
If that doesn’t work, and symptoms are escalating, your pup may require a physical examination that includes blood and urine tests. If a disease is not present in the blood work, then the vet will likely designate prescription food, probiotics, and medication if necessary. Sadly, this is hard for Frenchies who are used to always having their treats. If you’re unsure, always opt for seeing a vet. They will guide you in the right direction.
Probiotics can be a great option for Frenchies who battle with food allergies by aiding in digestion and improve the immune system. They promote good gut bacteria and which can subside digestive issues from food allergies. If you want to learn more about the benefits of probiotics for your Frenchie, check out our blog Why Your French Bulldog Needs Probiotics.
Environmental Allergy Treatment
In order to treat environmental allergies, the vet will usually prescribe contortionists and antihistamines to prevent your Frenchie from scratching. Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, the strength of the medication will be determined by your dog’s vet.
In addition, topical ointments prescribed, or over-the-counter, will help heal the scabs or open wounds on your frenchie’s skin and reduce their irritation. These can be a bit tricky if your frenchie loves to lick, so make sure you apply the treatments at a time when your Frenchie is sleepy or you can distract them for 15-20 minutes.
