Caring for Senior French Bulldogs

Caring for Your Older French Bulldog: Help and Advice

An important part of dog ownership is learning how to care for your furry friend at different stages of their life. While your Frenchie will require special care and attention as a puppy, so too will their needs change as they become older. While they’ll still be the same loving, fun dog you  know and adore, learning about the needs of senior French Bulldogs will help you make sure their last few years are as good as all of the others. 

With an average lifespan of around 12 years, there is some dispute over what age a French Bulldog becomes senior. For larger dogs, they may be considered ‘old’ at around 6 or 7. For smaller breeds, they may be 10 or 11 before they start showing signs of slowing down. However, it’s generally thought that from the age of about 8 you should start to keep an eye on your Frenchie’s health and behaviour, and that from 10 they may require additional support. 

What conditions are older French Bulldogs prone to? 

As you likely know if you’ve owned one of these amazing dogs, there are a number of genetic health conditions French Bulldogs are unfortunately prone to. As they get older, your Frenchie may become more susceptible to these problems. Areas to look out for include: 

  • Breathing – French Bulldogs may struggle more with their breathing as they age, so it’s important to pay attention to any changes. If their breathing or snoring gets significantly louder or more laboured, this could be a sign of a more serious problem than just old age
  • Joints and bones – their stocky bodies mean that French Bulldogs of all ages are susceptible to skeletal issues, but this can increase as they get older and more strain is put on their joints. If you spot any signs of discomfort or they seem less keen to exercise, consider a trip to the vets to assess their hips, knees and back
  • Allergies – the immune system naturally weakens as all dogs age, so senior French Bulldogs are even more at risk of allergies than they were when they were younger. Look out for signs of irritated skin or respiratory problems that could signal a reaction to something around them

While some genetic health problems can’t be helped, there are some things you can do to support your dog’s health as they get older. These include:

Increasing vet visits.

When your dog enters their senior years, it’s a good idea to schedule in more check-ups with the vet. Vets can use their expert eye to notice any changes in your dog’s overall health and wellbeing, and things such as weight checks can be beneficial for spotting any changes you might otherwise miss. 

Changing your older dog’s diet. 

Just as your French Bulldog puppy needed specialist food, so too will your senior dog. Fortunately, most dog food brands have products that cater to older dogs’ needs. Whereas puppy food often contains added fats to help them grow, senior mixes usually contain less fat and more protein. They’re also often softer, to help canines that may find digestion or chewing more of a challenge as they get older. 

Many senior French Bulldog owners also find that adding dog supplements to their diet can help support their overall health, as well as more specific functions such as digestion or joint mobility. 

Exercising your senior French Bulldog. 

Frenchies aren’t the most energetic breed to begin with, but you’ll likely notice that they slow down more as they get older. Unless specifically recommended otherwise by your vet, it’s generally best to keep walking them the same amount as you’ve always done (just maybe at a slower pace!) If your dog starts to show a real aversion to any exercise, this could be a sign of breathing issue and so you will need to visit the vet. 

Watch out for changes.

While your regular vet check-ups should give you peace of mind that your senior Frenchie is still fit as a fiddle, there are a few things you can watch out for at home. These include their:

  • Appetite
  • Bowel movements
  • Eagerness to exercise
  • Comfort when walking
  • Weight 
  • General behaviour and mood

Spotting changes early is often key to getting your dog the extra help or medication they may need, so make a habit of keeping an eye on the above. 

Just like humans, most older French Bulldogs will enjoy life just as much as they always have. Be sure to give them a bit more space if they seem to want it, make the necessary tweaks to their diet and keep an eye on their health and you can still make plenty of new memories with your furry friend.