Best treats for a French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed with a short muzzle, which changes what makes a treat genuinely suitable: anything hard, large or awkward to manoeuvre is more of a choking risk for a French Bulldog than for a longer-nosed breed, and many are also prone to weight gain and a sensitive stomach, which makes calorie-controlled, easily digestible treats a better everyday fit than rich or fatty options.
Why the breed's shape matters for treat choice
A French Bulldog's flattened face and shorter airway mean they generally manage soft or easily broken-down treats better than large, hard chunks that need a lot of grinding to swallow safely. Anything that requires prolonged, forceful chewing can also be more tiring and harder to breathe through comfortably for a brachycephalic dog than it would be for a breed with a longer muzzle.
Frenchies are also a breed prone to weight gain, partly because they tend to be less naturally active than some breeds and partly because their small size means excess calories add up quickly relative to body weight. A treat that is genuinely low in calories, given in a sensible portion, matters more for this breed than for a larger, more active dog that burns through extra calories more easily.
What to actually look for
Small, soft or easily broken treats sized for a compact dog's mouth suit the breed better than large biscuits or tough chews that take real effort to work through. Training-sized treats, broken smaller still if needed, are a sensible everyday choice precisely because the portion is naturally small.
Many French Bulldogs also have sensitive skin or a tendency towards food sensitivities, so a treat with a simple, limited ingredient list is worth looking for if your dog has ever reacted to a food before. Dental treats designed to be gentle to chew rather than rock-hard are also worth considering, since dental health matters for a breed already prone to some mouth and airway sensitivity.
Portion and frequency
Treats should stay a small fraction of a French Bulldog's daily calories, given the breed's tendency to gain weight easily — as a rough guide followed across most breeds, treats should make up no more than about 10% of daily intake, with the main meal doing the nutritional work. Breaking a treat into smaller pieces for training makes a little go further without adding unnecessary calories.
If your French Bulldog is already overweight, or has a known digestive or skin sensitivity, a vet can advise on treat choice and portion alongside their overall diet, rather than trying to work it out from a bag's marketing alone.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats
Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.
From£12.99
Dried Catnip & Cat Grass Leaf Treats
A tub of dried catnip and cat grass leaves to sprinkle over toys, scratchers and bedding.
From£8.99
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 1 Tuna Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete tuna dry food for adult cats, offered in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas 7+ Senior Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in a 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Catit Nibbly Jerky Chicken & Fish Treats
Soft chicken and fish jerky treats for cats, two named meats high on the list, grain free
£1.89
Catit Creamy Tuna Treats 4 Pk
Lickable 26% tuna purée tubes for cats, 4 x 10g, up to 3 a day in place of main meal
£1.89
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with salmon, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Dreamies Creamy Adult Cat & Kitten Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Creamy lickable salmon treats for cats and kittens, in a 40g pack with taurine
£1.59
Long-Handled Silicone Pet Toothbrush
A food-grade silicone toothbrush with fine soft bristles on a long, paw-shaped handle that reaches back teeth comfortably. Gentle on gums and helps keep your pet's mouth fresh and clean.
£7.99
Stop Bloody Scratching Treats Chicken Flavour 90 Tablets
Chicken-flavoured tablets from Pets Calm Down, made in the UK, ninety to a pack, given daily as a treat to support skin and coat condition in itchy dogs.
£22.99
Common questions
- Are French Bulldogs prone to choking on treats?
- Their shorter muzzle and airway make large, hard treats more of a risk than they would be for a longer-nosed breed, so smaller, softer options are generally a better and safer fit for the breed.
- Do French Bulldogs need low-calorie treats?
- Many do, given the breed's tendency towards weight gain and lower natural activity levels compared with some breeds. Keeping treats to a small, genuinely low-calorie portion of the daily diet is a sensible habit for most Frenchies.
- Are dental chews suitable for French Bulldogs?
- Softer dental chews designed to be gentle to work through can suit the breed well, though very hard chews are worth avoiding given the effort involved in prolonged chewing for a brachycephalic dog. If your Frenchie has any existing dental issue, ask your vet before introducing a new chew.
- How many treats can a French Bulldog have per day?
- As a general guide followed across most breeds, treats should make up no more than around 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake, with the rest coming from a proper main meal. For a breed prone to weight gain like the French Bulldog, staying towards the lower end of that is a sensible habit.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.