Are you a proud French Bulldog owner? Besides many perks of having this cute, miniature, purebred boy, having a Frenchie in your home carries a certain amount of worries, too. The “Why is my French Bulldog throwing up” question is one of them.
Even though a dog throwing up does not have to be necessarily worrying, there are times when this health issue represents a serious problem.
Frenchies are known for having massive airway and nostril problems, as well as frequent skin dermatitis. But, why do they throw up?
Here’s the list of the nine most common throwing up reasons that might help you understand your dog’s health better…
Why Is My French Bulldog Throwing Up?
Unfortunately, these cutie pies are not labeled as the healthiest dogs in the world. Other than their frequent problems with breathing and overheating, Frenchies are prone to other various health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and spinal problems.
In fact, their inadequately-designed daily routine can be one of the major triggers for throwing up. Considering its body physique and exercise requirements, this is not exactly the most active breed in the world.
That said, Frenchies might be throwing up as a result of fatigue, overwhelmness, or excessive feeding. But, what are the other reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon? And, how do you deal with it?
These are the questions that we’re gonna address in the further part of this article. I really hope you find it informative and useful for further parenting!
1. Voracious Eating
How often do you deal with the voracious dog syndrome? Well, even though this might be one of the main features of large dog breeds, the truth is that Frenchies are sort of voracious eaters themselves.
Their fast eating directly affects stomach irritation, which consequently causes throwing up. Frenchies just cannot process too much food too soon, which is why they require a moderate and to-the-point feeding schedule.
The best way to adapt your Frenchie to a three-meal plan is if you start from the puppyhood stage. Taking good care of a newborn French Bulldog is an excellent ground for establishing a respectable daily routine for the later stage.
Aside from Frenchies throwing up due to a massive portion of food they intake in a short period of time, they may also develop bloat. Even though bloat is more common in large, wide-chested dogs, this health issue is not that uncommon in Frenchies, too.
2. Food Allergies
There are several Frenchie health facts that first-time owners should be aware of. Food allergies are on top of the list. These French canines are quite sensitive when it comes to food, as they are naturally allergic to a plethora of things.
For starters, all Frenchies are allergic to dairy products.
You should avoid giving your puppy any sort of milk, cheese, whip cream, and yogurt. Frenchies that intake dairy products on a regular basis are prone to throwing up much more than their properly-dieted counterparts.
Other than that, a whole bunch of Frenchies are allergic to corn, rice, beef, and even chicken. On the other hand, lamb, fish (mostly salmon), green vegetables, and fruits are things that don’t cause any disturbance in your puppy’s digestive system.
Aside from throwing up, the most common symptoms of food-related allergies in your Frenchie might be: diarrhea, lethargy, itchiness, and hives. Even though food allergies are not a fatal issue, a timely vet check is highly advised.
3. Eating Right Before Training
Yes, exercising your French Bulldog right after mealtime is a huge mistake, and here’s why…
Namely, Frenchies are moderately active dogs that require at least an hour of light exercise during the day. They use exercise to keep their muscles active and their joints flexible.
Still, Frenchies are not capable of performing high-intensity exercise or pulling off weight training due to their naturally small body. Forcing them to train right after a meal has the same effect on their body as forcing them to pull heavy weights.
The result of such an irresponsible approach to training might be massive vomiting, fatigue, joint injuries, and spinal problems.
That’s why both male and female French Bulldogs require an organized exercise routine that will help them burn off their energy, but not overwhelm them so much.
4. Throwing Up After Spaying Or Neutering
This is a quite common phenomenon for all dog breeds, not just Frenchies. Spaying or neutering a dog, no matter how common and minor of a procedure, is still painful and requires some recovery time.
It is completely natural for dogs to feel disoriented and depressed after surgery, as well as to throw up. These are common things related to anesthesia, and they usually disappear within a few days.
Still, taking care of a Frenchie after the spaying or neutering procedure requires a carefully-planned feeding chart and a lot of understanding. The best way to help them heal is if you keep them in a low-key environment, without any disturbances and high-volume sounds.
5. Overeating
Besides voracious eating, one of the most common reasons behind the “Why is my French Bulldog throwing up” dilemma is overeating. You may think that these two things are completely the same, but there’s a certain difference between overeating and voracious eating.
The first is related to a general food intake that overpasses normal amounts, while the latter is rather related to eating too much too soon.
Overeating in a dog can be a trigger for various health issues such as diabetes, heart problems, bloat, kidney failure, and cataracts. Consequently, Frenchies that eat way too much on a daily basis are prone to vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath, and joint and spinal injuries.
In that regard, you may want to revisit your dog’s feeding chart. Make sure you give it only the best Frenchie food that is easily digestible, as well as sticking with a proper amount of healthy treats.
6. Parasites
Internal parasites in dogs also stand behind the “Why is my French Bulldog throwing up” issue. Parasites, such as intestinal worms or hookworms can significantly weaken a dog’s immune system and cause anemia.
Other symptoms of parasites are throwing up frequently, diarrhea, lethargy, scooting, and distended belly. Other than that, some Frenchies may even lose a lot of weight during this unpleasant period of time.
If you notice any of the symptoms next to throwing up – you should visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. In the long term, dog parasites can leave severe repercussions on your dog’s health.
7. Cancer
Believe it or not, the fatality rate of Frenchies related to cancer is up to almost 40%. Cancer is a quite serious and common problem for all Frenchie puppies, which is why subjecting these pooches to regular vet exams is a must.
Mast cell tumors and lymphoma are two of the most common cancers in these dogs. In fact, the first one is related to all brachycephalic dog breeds such as Boxers, Pugs, and Boston Terriers.
The most common symptoms of cancer are vomiting, diarrhea, lack of energy, total or partial lack of appetite, and depression, but some pooches also display inability to move or perform regular activities, panting, lumps on skin, and excessive weight loss.
Even though cancer is treatable in the early phase, Frenchies that cope with progressing cancer can live up to four months maximum. In that regard, euthanizing a Frenchie is a considerable solution, as puppies with progressed cancer are usually in high amounts of pain.
8. Pancreatitis
If your Frenchie is pooping blood and throwing up excessively, the reason might be pancreatitis! Even though the disease itself represents an idiopathic inflammation of the pancreas, the reason why some Frenchies get affected is poor dieting.
Namely, French Bulldogs that eat high-fat meals are generally more prone to being affected by pancreatitis than canines that eat healthy.
Other than vomiting and a bloody stool, some other symptoms of pancreatitis are lethargy, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, and collapse.
9. Esophagitis
Esophagitis in dogs, also known as reflux, is a common issue for many dog breeds. Unfortunately, Frenchies are no exception. This minor, yet unpleasant condition might be the reason for these canines throwing up on a regular basis.
Other than that, dogs that cope with esophagitis might also display symptoms such as neck pain, skipping meals, hard swallowing, and drooling.
This health issue is treated orally by using a combination of acid-suppression drugs.
Conclusion
Generally, the “Why is my French Bulldog throwing up” dilemma is not an immediate red flag that you need to worry about. A Frenchie throwing up can be caused by a plethora of harmless things, such as overeating or improper meal scheduling.
On the other hand, the occurrence of vomit accompanied by other symptoms such as decrease in appetite, weight loss, or a bloody stool is a cause for concern. In that regard, a vet visit is a must.
In both cases, these cute, miniature pooches require a well-designed plan in terms of feeding and exercising. Even though not all causes of vomiting are routine-related, a well-prepared daily schedule can help you prevent a plethora of diseases in the long run.
Read more: Are French Bulldogs Aggressive? Understanding Frenchie’s Behavior