Start with "complete and balanced"

In the US, pet food labels carry a nutritional adequacy statement. AAFCO explains that "'complete' means the product contains all the nutrients required" and "'balanced' means the nutrients are present in the correct ratios."[1] A food can meet that standard in two ways:

  • Formulation: the recipe is designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles.
  • Feeding trials: the food was fed to dogs under AAFCO procedures and shown to provide complete and balanced nutrition.[1]

Make sure the statement matches your dog's life stage: growth (puppies), adult maintenance, or all life stages. Products labeled as treats or snacks usually are not meant to be complete and balanced.[1]

The WSAVA questions to ask a pet food company

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association suggests these questions:[2]

  1. Do they employ a qualified nutritionist?
  2. Who formulates the diet?
  3. What quality control do they use for ingredients and finished products?
  4. What product research or nutrition studies have they done?
  5. Does the label have a nutritional adequacy statement?
  6. How many calories per gram or serving?
  7. Does the company give a phone number or email for questions?
  8. Who actually makes the food?

WSAVA's advice: "If the manufacturer cannot or will not provide any of this information, veterinarians and owners should be cautious about feeding that brand."[2]

What about grain-free food?

Grain-free diets became popular, but none of the sources we checked says that grains are bad for most dogs. The FDA has investigated reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a heart disease, in dogs eating certain diets, many of them grain-free. Its most recent update was in December 2022, and the agency says it "does not intend to release further public updates until there is meaningful new scientific information to share."[3] Talk to your vet before choosing a grain-free food.

Frenchie-specific things to consider

  • Kibble size and shape. A short jaw can make large kibble hard to pick up and chew. Small, flat pieces often work better.
  • Calorie density. Frenchies gain weight easily. A food with moderate calories lets you feed a satisfying portion.
  • Skin and digestion. French Bulldogs are prone to allergic skin disorder. If your dog itches year-round, ask your vet about a food trial rather than switching brands repeatedly.[4]
  • Eating speed. Gulping can lead to regurgitation. A slow-feeder bowl can help.

Home-cooked and raw diets

Home-cooked meals sound healthy, but recipes found online are often missing key nutrients like calcium. If you want to cook, ask your vet to refer you to a board-certified veterinary nutritionist for a recipe. Raw diets also carry a risk of bacteria for both the dog and the people in the home.

Switching foods

Change foods gradually over about a week, mixing in more of the new food each day. Then reassess body condition after a few weeks, since calorie content varies between brands.

Sources and references

  1. Association of American Feed Control Officials. Reading Labels [Internet]. AAFCO; [date unknown] [updated 2024 Jun 11; cited 2026 Nov 3].
  2. WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods [Internet]. WSAVA Global Nutrition Toolkit; 2021 Mar 10 [cited 2026 Nov 3].
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy [Internet]. FDA; [date unknown] [updated 2022 Dec 23; cited 2026 Nov 3].
  4. O'Neill DG, Packer RMA, Francis P, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Pegram C. French Bulldogs differ to other dogs in the UK in propensity for many common disorders: a VetCompass study. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2021;8(1):13. doi:10.1186/s40575-021-00112-3.

Last reviewed November 3, 2026. Educational information only. This guide does not replace advice from your veterinarian. No brands are endorsed and no affiliate links are used.

Sources checked November 3, 2026. This guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.