Bulldog Food Tips

This blog is to give some extra tips on dog food 
and answer some of the frequently asked questions like:

How can I stop my dog from eating too fast?

Can I give fruits or veggies to my Dog?

What foods and treats are dangerous for Dogs?

Should I use a plastic or metal foodbowl?

How do I reduce Dog farts?

Eating too Fast

 

Some bulldogs love their food so much
they will eat too quickly,
which can be bad for their digestion
and can lead to stomach aches and vomitting.

The faster they eat, the less they chew,
which can cause them to choke.
When they race through their food
they are also swallowing large amounts of air.
This can result in burping or passing gas,
not enjoyable for those around but  relatively harmless.

Some dogs, typically large chested breeds,
eating to fast can cause a bloat
also known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
from the large amount of air
and how much they eat.

So to prevent, stomach aches, burping, reduce the farting
and decrease the chances of bloat
here are some simple tips to prevent
your bulldog from eating to quickly

One simple way is putting a ball into their foodbowl.
This way they have to shove the ball from side to side
to get the food and this will slow them down.
Another toy will do aswell, be certain the object
you place in the bowl it is too large for the dog to eat!

If your dog eats too fast always use a flat pan
in stead of a deep bowl. That way, they won’t be able
to take big mouthfuls of food and
have to work more to get all the bits of kibble.

Most dogs are not smart enough
to get the ball out and start munching again
but when you have a bulldog that does,
the following product shown in the video might be helpfull.

Another way is to use a slow feeder bowl
You can buy these at any petshop and they are 
very effective. Make sure to get the right size and depth.
A slow feeder is especially useful
when you feed raw meat in stead of kibble

So to help your dog slow down it’s eating
use a tennisball in his bowl or buy a slow feeder
It is also recommended to spread their meals over the day
and to reduce activity 20 to 30 minutes after their meals
to digest their food 

Can I give Fruit of Veggies?

Yes you can!
You just need to know
what fruit you can and cannot give
Dogs digest differently than humans do,
and eating the wrong foods can lead to health problems

Here is a list of Fruits and Vegetables
that are good for dogs

Both fruits and veggies can be a great addition
to any dog diet but there are dangerous foods

Should I use a
plastic, ceramic or metal
foodbowl?

Plastic dog food bowls

Plastic dog food bowls are available
in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.
They are usually inexpensive and unlikely to break if dropped

Most of them are dishwasher-safe.
However, plastic bowls are generally
not recommended for many dogs.

Bowls made of plastic can be easily chewed
or scratched by your dog, leaving places for bacteria to build up.
Additionally, some dogs may develop an allergy to the plastic,
resulting in a mild skin reaction on the chin or face.


Ceramic dog bowls

Ceramic dog bowls are often
decorated with fun designs and some
are even handmade by artists.
Their protective glaze makes them easy to keep clean,
especially if dishwasher-safe. However, ceramic dog bowls
will easily break if dropped. 

If you have a dog that moves it’s bowl everywhere
a ceremic dog bowl is a good solution,
because of the weight this bowl will stay in it’s place

Stainless steel dog bowls

Stainless steel dog bowls are by far the most durable
and are also dishwasher-safe. These bowls are sometimes made
with a non-skid rim on the bottom to prevent spilling.

Stainless steel bowls do not often come in colors or designs.
However, they are practical, inexpensive supplies
for your dog that stand the test of time.

It’s still important to take proper care of these bowls, however.
They can develop stains or rust, especially if left outdoors.

I myself use a stainless steel water bowl
a plastic slow feeder bowl for food
and a heavy ceremic water bowl in the garden


How do I reduce Dog farts?

The best way to reduce farts
is to use a slow feeder bowl
You also need to know that certain
types and brands of food
will make your Bulldog extra gassy

More about Bulldogs and Flatulence here 😉 

Related Blogs:
Adding Fish to your dog’s diet
Chocolate
Coconut Oil
Dangerous Foods
How Much does a Bulldog eat?

 

Do you have any food tips to share?
Let us know in the comments

Have questions about dog food?
Check out the Bulldog Forum



Bulldogs and Chocolate


Is chocolate harmful
to your Bulldog? 

The short answer is yes.
So does this mean that you should
rush your Bullie to vet if he happens to grab
a chocolate chip cookie and run off with it?
Not necessarily.

The problem with chocolate and dogs is the chemical theobromine.
In sufficient amounts this chemical is responsible for toxic reactions.
It seems this chemical is in the same family as caffeine.
So how much is a sufficient amount to cause a toxic reaction?
A low estimate is that it takes approximately
100 milligrams of theobromine
per 2 pounds of dog body weight
to elicit a toxic reaction.

Below are listed the approximate levels
of theobromine per ounce for several common chocolate sources:

Milk chocolate has about 40-45 mg of theobromine per ounce
Semi-sweet chocolate contains about 150 mg of theobromine per ounce
Baker’s chocolate has almost 400 mg of theobromine per ounce

Using the above information we can approximate
that amount that must be consumed to be a problem:

Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per pound of body weight
Semi-sweet chocolate: 1 ounce for every 3lbs of body weight
Baker’s chocolate: 1 ounce for every 10lbs of body weight

What are the symptoms
of chocolate toxicity?

Restlessness, Increased heart rate, Tremors, Vomiting, Diarrhea,
Frequent urination, Hyper irritability and excitability

What is the treatment?


If you suspect that you Bulldog has consumed
a toxic amount of chocolate, call your vet immediately.
In some cases, you may wish to induce vomiting
within the first several hours.

If the consumed chocolate is milk chocolate,
diarrhea usually begins within 24 hours.
Make sure you keep your Bullie hydrated.