Feeding & Caring for a Healthy Frenchie

How Much to Feed a Frenchie Puppy

Frenchies put on weight easily, and extra weight makes their breathing harder, their joints worse, and their lifespan shorter. Use a small or medium-breed puppy food and stick to these meal counts as a starting point:

• 8–12 weeks: 4 small meals per day
• 3–6 months: 3 meals per day
• 6–12 months: 2 meals per day
• 12+ months: 2 meals per day on adult food

You should be able to feel — but not really see — your Frenchie's ribs, with a clear waist tuck when you look down from above. If you can't, cut portions by 10–15% and reassess in two weeks.

What to Look for in a Frenchie Food

• A named meat as the first ingredient (chicken, beef, lamb, fish).
• An AAFCO statement appropriate for the dog's life stage.
• Moderate fat — Frenchies don't need a high-octane working-dog formula.
• No artificial colors, dyes, or heavy filler ingredients.

One note on grain-free: the FDA has flagged a possible link between some grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Talk to your vet before going grain-free, especially if your Frenchie has any cardiac concerns.

Exercise (Without Overdoing It)

An adult Frenchie typically needs 30–60 minutes of gentle exercise a day, spread across short walks and indoor play. They're sprinters, not marathoners — and they're not built to handle heat. Some practical rules:

• Walk early in the morning or late in the evening when it's hot.
• Skip walks entirely above ~80°F. Use indoor play and puzzle feeders instead.
• Always use a harness, never a neck collar.
• Watch for noisy or labored breathing — that's a stop signal, not a "push through" moment.

Brachycephalic Realities

The Frenchie's flat face brings real, well-documented risks. Knowing them helps you spot problems early.

• BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome): some Frenchies need surgical correction (stenotic nares, elongated palate). A vet can grade the severity in puppyhood.
• Heat stroke: the single most preventable cause of Frenchie death. Hot cars and hot walks are non-negotiable no's.
• Eye issues: cherry eye, dry eye, and corneal ulcers are all common. Watch for redness or excessive tearing.
• Skin and fold infections: wipe nose folds and tail pocket gently with a vet-approved cleanser as needed.
• Spinal issues (IVDD, hemivertebrae): avoid jumping off furniture; use ramps when you can.
• Allergies: very common. Often shows up as itchy paws, ear infections, or recurring skin problems.

Routine Vet Care

• Puppies: vaccines at 8, 12, and 16 weeks; rabies at 16 weeks; spay/neuter conversation around 12 months.
• Adults: annual wellness exam, vaccines on your vet's schedule, and year-round flea/tick/heartworm prevention.
• Seniors (8+): twice-yearly exams, annual bloodwork, and ongoing weight management.

Daily Habits That Add Years

• Brush their teeth at least 3 times a week — small breeds are especially prone to dental disease.
• Keep them lean. Studies suggest lean dogs live roughly 2 years longer.
• Wipe nose folds and check the tail pocket weekly.
• Add mental enrichment — puzzle feeders, training reps, sniff walks. Frenchies need brain work more than gym work.