10 Best Dog Foods for French Bulldogs With Allergies in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

VET APPROVED

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Karyn Kanowski

Veterinarian, BVSc MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in America, largely because of their small size and adorable demeanor. However, these dogs are prone to many health problems, including allergies. Therefore, it isn’t uncommon to need allergy-friendly food. The trouble is that different dogs are allergic to different things, with some being allergic to food, others allergic to environmental or seasonal allergens, and some unlucky dogs being affected by all of the above!

Getting to the bottom of what is triggering your Frenchie’s itchy skin is often a bit of a lengthy process that you and your vet will work through, and if you’ve discovered that food is a contributing factor, you’ll want to know what sort of ingredients to avoid, and which foods are going to work best for your dog.

This will largely depend on exactly which components your dog is allergic to, with the usual suspects being chicken, beef, eggs, dairy, and gluten. Some foods claim to be hypoallergenic, but that isn’t always the case, and we need to pay close attention to the ingredients listed. Foods with fewer ingredients tend to be the best options for dogs with allergies, as it makes it easier to identify and avoid problematic components and be sure that there aren’t any sneaky trace elements that might start your dog scratching.

Below, we reviewed the best foods for French Bulldog allergies. Not every formula will work for every dog, as it will depend on their exact allergies, but they will help many itchy dogs.

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Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		The Farmer's Dog	Delivery to your door  Recipes catered to allergies and sensitivities Recipes are curated in USDA-certified facilities	Click to Save 50% + Get Free Shipping!
Budget Buy		Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food	Added sunflower oil For senior pets Fish as the primary protein	CHECK PRICE
		Ollie Lamb Recipe	Free from common allergens Free from fillers Lamb as the main ingredient	Click to Save 50%
		Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein	Hydrolyzed protein May reduce GI sensitivities and skin problems Prebiotics included	CHECK PRICE
Best for Puppies		Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Puppy Recipe	Salmon is the only protein content Includes probiotics All life stages	CHECK PRICE

The 11 Best Dog Foods for French Bulldogs with Allergies

1. The Farmer’s Dog – Best Overall

If you have a Frenchie who suffers from allergies, The Farmer’s Dog is a top-quality food option and our choice for best dog food for French Bulldogs with allergies.

This company has done its research in pet nutrition and created veterinarian-formulated recipes to help ease common dog sensitivities.

The Farmer’s Dog recipes are prepared in USDA-certified kitchens and are cooked at low temperatures by USDA facility standards that preserve nutrients.

What sets The Farmer’s Dog apart is its dedication to addressing a dog’s specific nutritional requirements. By completing a quick online questionnaire, you will be presented with a diet plan that caters to the needs of your dog.

This questionnaire requests details of dietary restrictions and health issues their dogs may have, such as food allergies, environmental allergies, and grain and gluten sensitivities. With this information, The Farmer’s Dog compiles a tailored list of suitable recipes you can choose from.

The hassle-free subscription service allows you to pick the delivery schedule suitable for your dog’s meal management. The food must be kept frozen until you need it, so ample freezer space is required to keep it fresh. Their plans start from around $2 per day, so it’s not the cheapest option, especially if you have large dogs, but for smaller breeds like the Frenchie, if it reduces the amount you spend on medications to manage their allergy, it may well be a very smart choice.

For these reasons, The Farmer’s Dog is a premium dog food brand that prioritizes custom diets, earning it the top spot as the overall best dog food for allergies.

2. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

Purina is a very popular dog food brand. The Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach 7+ Salmon & Rice Formula is designed specifically for older dogs with skin sensitivities. Therefore, it is typically allergen-friendly, as well, as it doesn’t contain any of the common allergens that cause skin issues. The primary protein source is salmon.

However, this formula also contains “fish,” which could be just about any type of fish. Therefore, we don’t recommend it for dogs that are sensitive to fish at all.

We like that this formula is specifically designed for older dogs and includes added nutrients like glucosamine and EPA. All of these ingredients help support your dog’s joints, which often become a problem as your dog ages. Sunflower oil is added for the increased omega fatty acids, which may help nourish your dog’s coat. Many Frenchies have skin and coat issues, anyway, so this additive can be very helpful. There are other options available for different ages and sizes, and as a huge bonus, this food is very affordable, too.

3. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Delivery Service (Lamb Recipe)

For most French Bulldogs with allergies, we highly recommend Ollie Lamb Recipe. It is made with limited ingredients, with lamb as the first ingredient. Lamb is a novel protein for many dogs, as the most common allergens are chicken and beef. Therefore, if your dog has been consuming a different protein, this lamb food may be a good option.

Furthermore, it is grain-free. Although grain allergies are not common, they can affect French Bulldogs. This food is also free from soy and other fillers, which can cause problems for some Frenchies. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, either.

We love that this formula is fortified with probiotics and omega fatty acids. These can help your dog’s skin, coat, and digestive health.

4. Royal Canin Veterinary Adult HP Dry Dog Food

If your dog has serious allergies, you may need Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Dog Food. This formula is a veterinary-strength brand and requires veterinary authorization to buy.

The protein in this formula is hydrolyzed, which means that the proteins have been broken down at a molecular level, making them less likely to cause allergic reactions. Therefore, it works great for dogs that are allergic to just about everything. However, it is extremely expensive, and usually only used when alternative foods have not been successful.

This formula includes a lot of rice and veggies, as dogs typically aren’t allergic to them. The only proteins are hydrolyzed. A blend of fibers and prebiotics helps ensure that your dog’s digestion works well, which is commonly a problem with Frenchies.

5. Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Puppy Recipe – Best for Puppies

The Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Puppy Salmon Recipe is designed for all life stages. Therefore, you can feed it to your puppy and adult. It includes salmon as the only source of protein. If your dog isn’t allergic to salmon, then this formula should work just fine for your canine. It includes 30% protein plus some extra nutrients to help your puppy thrive.

We also liked that it includes specially-formulated probiotics. Many Frenchies have GI issues, as these probiotics are vital. This formula is lower in carbohydrates than others out there, and it is also free from potatoes. Instead, it includes chickpeas and similar starchy veggies.

This formula is made in the USA. It doesn’t include peas, pea protein, chicken, wheat, or soy. In other words, it is missing many ingredients that are known to upset many of Frenchie’s stomachs.

6. Hill’s Prescription Diet Z/D Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food

Hill’s Prescription Diet Z/D Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food is recommended for Frenchies with severe allergies. This dog food does require a prescription, like some other formulas on this list. Therefore, it is typically a last resort for dogs with many different allergies. The protein contained is hydrolyzed. Therefore, it cannot cause allergy problems.

For this reason, we highly recommend it for canines that have tried everything else but failed. It is extremely expensive, though, so you may want to try simply avoiding your dog’s allergies before switching to this food.

This formula is designed specifically with omega fatty acids, which help improve your dog’s skin and coat health. Allergies often cause skin and coat problems, as this is often a problem with Frenchies.

7. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Diet

While this formula is very expensive, the Acana Singles LID Beef & Pumpkin Recipe includes primarily beef. As a limited-ingredient diet, it doesn’t include any other sources of protein, which is good for dogs with allergies. We recommend it for dogs that are allergic to anything but beef. There are several different types of beef included, including beef liver and beef meal.

There are several other ingredients, as well. For instance, sweet potatoes and chickpeas are both added. These starchy veggies up the carbohydrate content, which is vital to provide dogs with the necessary energy.

Taurine and other vitamins are added to support your dog’s complete health. It is also free from peas, corn, and plant-protein isolates. Therefore, all the protein included comes from high-quality beef.

8. Natural Balance LID Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Like most formulas on this list, Natural Balance LID Grain-Free Duck & Potato is a limited-ingredient diet. In other words, it includes very few ingredients, which is important for dogs with allergies. If there are fewer ingredients, there are fewer things for your dog to be allergic to.

The primary ingredient in this formula is a duck. Both duck and duck meal is included, which increases the protein content substantially. Furthermore, this is the only protein source in this food, which helps reduce the odds of an allergic reaction. If your dog isn’t allergic to duck, this formula should work just fine.

Flaxseed is included for the omega fatty acid content. This improves skin and coat health, which is often vital for Frenchies. It is also free from grain, soy, gluten, artificial colors, and artificial flavors.

9. JustFoodForDogs Venison & Squash Recipe Fresh Dog Food

Some dogs simply do better on fresh dog food. In this case, we recommend JustFoodForDogs Venison & Squash Recipe Fresh Dog Food. This food is freshly prepared and delivered frozen to your door. To feed it to your dog, you simply thaw it out and then portion it appropriately.

As you’d expect, this food is expensive. Plus, it also takes up quite a bit of room in your freezer or fridge. Therefore, you should be a bit cautious regarding ordering this food, as you need to be certain that you have room for it.

On a good note, this food is extremely high in protein and includes venison as the main protein source. Many dogs are not allergic to venison, which makes this specific formula good for allergies. Furthermore, there are no grains included, either. All of the carbohydrates come from veggies and fruits.

10. American Journey Limited Ingredient Dry Food

Like most formulas we’ve reviewed, American Journey LID Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe includes only duck as the primary protein source. Therefore, as long as your dog isn’t allergic to ducks, this formula works well for most dogs. It does include peas, chickpeas, and similar starchy veggies as the primary source of carbohydrates. It is also completely free from grain, which can be vital for dogs with grain allergies (though these are a bit rare).

Peas have been associated with some health conditions in dogs, so we typically don’t recommend them in high amounts. Furthermore, this food isn’t cheap, so there is no reason for the company to utilize a cheap veggie like peas.

This formula doesn’t include any corn, wheat, or soy. It does include high amounts of omega fatty acids, which come from the added flaxseed and sunflower oil.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs with Allergies

It can be challenging to find food for your dog. If your dog has allergies, it can be even more difficult, especially if they are allergic to a common protein like chicken or beef. Luckily, though, dog food companies know that many dogs have allergies, so most brands have an allergy-friendly line to accommodate these dogs.

However, allergies can be troublesome even with these options.

Why Is It So Hard To Find Low Allergen Dog Food?

One of the biggest issues with dog food is that many large, commercial brands use supplementary ingredients like meat meal in their recipes to help reduce the price. A food that claims to be “Turkey and Rice” on the front of the pack may contain chicken meal or beef liver if you look at the list of ingredients. For this reason, it’s important to get into the habit of checking the ingredients before buying any dog food. In general, the shorter the list, the lower the risk.

Dry kibble will always contain more ingredients than wet food, as there are certain components, particularly carbohydrates, needed to keep the food in kibble form. However, that shouldn’t include a long list of unrecognizable ingredients, so it pays to familiarize yourself with what a “good” ingredients list looks like.

What Are Dog Food Allergies?

Dog food allergies occur when a dog’s immune system reacts to a particular ingredient or ingredients in their diet. Usually, these allergens are proteins, which can be found in foods, plants, animals, and insects. Because just about everything has proteins, dogs can be allergic to just about everything.

Usually, allergies occur after the dog has been exposed repeatedly over many months or years. Dogs will often become allergic to their food after being fed it for an extended period, which often confuses dog owners. Dog allergies and human allergies are not the same in this regard. Dogs aren’t usually born with their allergies.

Immune responses to allergies are quite complex, which can make them difficult to manage. Usually, the best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid your dog’s allergens.

Dog Food Allergy Symptoms

Dog food allergy symptoms are not typically what you would expect. Usually, dogs get itchiness, which can be localized or throughout their whole body. Common “itchy” locations include the paws, legs, and tail. However, it can technically be anywhere.

Sometimes, respiratory symptoms can also develop like those we commonly encounter as humans. Coughing, sneezing, and wheezing can occur. Sometimes, this can be serious, though this is rare. Dog allergies are rarely deadly.

Sadly, allergies can occur in all breeds. However, they usually appear in older pets, not puppies, who are more likely to experience food sensitivities that cause gastrointestinal signs rather than food allergies causing skin reactions. This is because it usually takes several years for the immune reaction to develop.

Why Are Frenchies Prone to Allergies?

There is absolutely a genetic component to allergies in Frenchies. While genetics aren’t completely to blame, most Frenchies do have a genetic predisposition to allergies. Furthermore, this isn’t a matter of simple inheritance. In other words, there isn’t a single gene that makes these dogs prone to allergies. Therefore, this inheritance is extremely difficult to “breed out.”

With that said, just because your Frenchie may be predisposed to food allergies doesn’t mean that they will end up with food allergies. Continuous exposure to the same proteins is more likely to cause an allergy to develop over time. However, if you switch proteins too often, you may not be able to find one that your dog isn’t allergic to.

We don’t know exactly why Frenchies are allergic to foods more often than other breeds. However, it is likely because of a trait they inherited long ago. Most Bulldogs are prone to food allergies, so it seems to be a very old trait.

How Are Food Allergies Treated?

Food allergy treatment is largely treated through dietary means. Usually, dogs become allergic to a single protein or carbohydrate component of a food. However, dogs can become allergic to many different proteins and carbs until there is very little left for them to eat.

If your dog has multiple allergies, it can be challenging to determine the root cause. Usually, an elimination diet is recommended. If your dog is currently eating chicken-based food, for instance, then it is typically recommended to switch to chicken-free food. If this clears up the symptoms, then the dog is assumed to be allergic to chicken, and that protein is avoided in the future.

Food allergies are notoriously difficult to treat via other means. While you can use antihistamines and similar treatments, these usually aren’t very effective. Therefore, diet is usually the best option for treatment.

In cases where dogs are allergic to many different proteins, a veterinary diet is necessary. These diets include hydrolyzed protein, which “shatters” the proteins and makes them unrecognizable to the immune system. Therefore, these proteins do not cause immune responses—even if dogs are allergic to the base protein.

With that said, this process makes the food very expensive. Therefore, it is usually only used as a last resort. It also requires a prescription, which means that your dog has to have a definite diagnosis of food allergies.

Dogs with more severe allergies or a multifaceted disease may need to be on a low allergen/single protein diet and medication in order to keep the condition under control. Dogs that have had itchy skin for some time often have secondary bacterial or yeast skin and ear infections, so these need to be brought under control for the treatment to be effective.

If you still have questions about choosing the right food for your French Bulldog with allergies, a call with a vet can help.

Our Dog Foods for French Bulldogs Selection Process

The dog foods we reviewed in this article were chosen by PangoVet’s writers and editors, in collaboration with our experienced veterinary team, based on personal experience with the product, knowledge and expertise about the pet’s care needs, brand reputation, and reviews across multiple retail outlets from other customers that have purchased and used the product. The combination of these factors allows us to gather a wide range of information to help you choose only the best dog foods and ensure you have the most accurate information about these products to promote proper care, health, and well-being of your beloved pets.

Why Trust PangoVet?

PangoVet’s licensed and experienced veterinarians have a knowledge base that extends to all kinds of pets—furry, scaly, and feathered—and want only the best for pets of all shapes and sizes. We also have experienced writers and editors who are pet owners with a variety of different pets, and we love our pets as much as you do. We recognize pets as part of our family. We make sure to only choose products from reputable brands highly rated by customers as well as products that we have personal experience with, to ensure that every dog food featured in this review is high-quality and safe for your pets.

Conclusion

Finding food for your dog with allergies can be challenging. Often, you want high-quality food and everything that you would usually look for in dog food on top of the absence of certain proteins. Looking for foods that contain no more than one or two protein sources, preferably as whole meat rather than meat meal, is a great start to finding a food that will be right for your dog. We hope our reviews helped you out so that you can find the perfect food for your canine.

Our favorite food that should work for most Frenchies with allergies is The Farmer’s Dog. For those on a budget, we recommend trying Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach 7+ Salmon & Rice Formula. The ingredients in this food make it a great option for dogs that aren’t allergic to fish, and this particular variety is ideal for looking after the health of your aging dog, too.

Be sure to talk to your vet before changing your dog’s diet, as diagnosing, treating, and managing food allergies can be a frustrating and expensive process, so it’s best to start from the right place. There’s no point spending lots of time and money finding the right food for your Frenchie unless you’re sure that they have a food allergy and other complicating conditions have been addressed.

Featured Image Credit: Gryllus M, Shutterstock