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January 30, 2022
JohnnyBlog

Dental Care: Tips To Keep Your French Bulldog’s Teeth Healthy

If you want your Frenchie to be as healthy and happy as they can be, dental care must be one of your priorities. Regular dental care is one of the best ways to preserve your French bulldog’s well-being because numerous health issues start in the dog’s mouth. 

The good news is that Frenchies are easy-going dogs that will need only a bit of proper training for you two to begin practicing good dental hygiene. You shouldn’t have any problems as long as you start early on.

There are two ways to clean your Frenchie’s teeth: 

One includes a toothbrush and toothpaste, and the other has to do with dog toys. It’s best to combine both, though!

Maintaining good oral hygiene will help protect your Frenchie from common dental health issues – such as oral malodor, plaque, tartar buildup, and periodontal disease. 

We have some great tips to keep your French bulldog’s teeth healthy. So, if you’re ready to learn, let’s start!

How to Brush Your Frenchie’s Teeth: A Step By Step Guide

Allow us to guide you through the teeth-cleaning process; it’ll make things a whole lot easier for you and your Frenchie. 

Get The Right Tools

Make sure you buy a toothbrush and toothpaste that are specially designed for canines. Never use products made for people – they are not suitable for dogs! 

Your toothbrush is too big for your Frenchie, while your toothpaste is packed with chemicals and additives that can endanger their health.

For an even more convenient solution, get a special spray and wipes intended for canine dental hygiene. 

Choose The Right Moment

Your Frenchie will have to sit still for you to clean their teeth, and as you probably already know, that can be an issue because French bulldogs have a ton of energy. 

So, make sure your Frenchie’s tired and well-fed before you start the procedure. A tired dog is a compliant dog. It would be best to eliminate all the potential distractions, too. 

Start Cleaning Your Frenchie’s Teeth

Wet the toothbrush and apply a bit of toothpaste to it. Frenchies’ mouths are small, so be careful not to overdo it; a pea-sized amount will suffice.

You should clean canine teeth with soft circular motions. Make sure you clean them thoroughly. The back molars might be a bit difficult to reach due to your Frenchie’s fleshy cheeks – but they are often the ones most covered in plaque and must not be overlooked. 

If you choose to take an alternative route and use the spray and wipes we’ve mentioned before, all you have to do is rub your Frenchie’s teeth with the wipes.

Reward Your Frenchie With A Favorite Treat

Once you’re done cleaning your Frenchie’s teeth, and they’re as white as shiny as they can be, your pup deserves a reward for being patient. 

Frenchies are incredibly food motivated, and knowing that they’ll have a tasty bite at the end of the procedure will make them cooperate way better!

The Best Teeth Cleaning Toys For French Bulldogs

The importance of cleaning a dog’s teeth cannot be overemphasized! Yet, brushing your French bulldog’s teeth can be pretty challenging. 

These little cuties can be a real handful sometimes.

To make things a bit easier and more fun for your Frenchie, you should get creative about it! For example, using specially designed dog toys and dental snacks can significantly help clean your Frenchie’s teeth efficiently and stress-free.

So let’s see what the seven best teeth cleaning dog toys you can give to your French bulldog are, shall we? 

1. Brushing Sticks

A brushing stick is a neatly-designed dog toy that enables your little Frenchie to clean its teeth on its own. In short, it’s a highly-effective dog toothbrush.

The unique design of the toy encourages your French bulldog to bite on and chew it – and while doing so, your pet will clean their teeth from top to bottom – even the notorious back molars. 

The best part is that your dog will be utterly oblivious to doing anything but having fun and playing. Your Frenchie will love the stick and use it often, which will enhance its oral hygiene even further.

You could add some toothpaste to the brushing stick, too. In this way, you’ll make the toy even more effective. Dog toothpaste is designed not only to clean canine teeth but also to strengthen and protect them.

2. Wood Chews

If your Frenchie is particularly fond of chewing on tree branches, a wooden chew toy might be one of the best choices for dental care. These toys are a genuine chewy attraction – but they’re much safer than actual pieces of wood.

Wood chews are typically made of natural wood and special synthetic materials that eliminate the risk of splintering, choking, or bacterial infections. 

Yet, these toys look and smell just like the real thing – and any canine chewing enthusiast will be as happy as a dog with two tails.

Chewing an artificial wood stick will brush your Frenchie’s teeth, remove plaque, and exercise their gums. 

Choose the right size for your little pooch – and playtime can begin!

3. Real Flavor Dental Chew Toys

Your food-loving Frenchie will appreciate any chew toy that has an authentic bacon flavor. It’ll be an instant hit!

The mouth-watering aroma will keep your pup busy for hours – and once they’re done playing, their smile will be brighter than ever. 

Most of these chew toys come in different sizes so that dogs of all shapes and sizes can enjoy them. Small size is the best choice for little dogs, like Frenchies. 

4. Rope Dog Toys

Young Frenchies will have no problem chewing on tough materials and super strong rubber, but it might become dangerous when they get older. 

Older teeth are more prone to breaking and chipping; it’s best to avoid any unnecessary risk. 

Luckily for you – and your dog – there are soft chewing toys such as ropes made of cotton. 

The blended cotton piece of rope is much softer than rubber – but it will invigorate the Frenchie’s gums and make their chompers shine. 

Chewing this natural toy will also stimulate your pet’s saliva, rinsing their mouth and eliminating unwanted bacteria.

You can improve the results by putting a little bit of toothpaste on the rope. You’re allowed to be sneaky if it’s for a good cause! 

The best thing about rope dog toys is that the fibers act like dental floss, cleaning hard-to-reach areas between teeth. And teething puppies will adore and greatly benefit from these toys, too!

If your Frenchie is an overly-enthusiastic chewer, you should supervise them when playing with a cotton rope toy, though. It’s not a very tough toy – and vicious chewers could bite through it.

5. Bristle Bones

Bristle bones are great chewing toys available in a range of sizes. They typically feature rubber nubs and nylon bristles designed to keep your Frenchie’s teeth clean and stimulate the gums. 

Plus, they’re often equipped with treats that your pup can chew on to their heart’s content – and you can refill the treats for endless fun, too. 

Your Frenchie will never get tired of it!

6. Tug Dog Toys

If you Frenchie likes to play tug of war with you, you can kill two flies with one stone and get a tug dog toy that cleans their teeth. 

Your pooch won’t even notice that dental maintenance is on – they’ll be having too much fun to doubt anything is wrong! 

Tug of war is generally a highly beneficial game as far as dental health is concerned. It keeps your dog’s teeth and gums clean. The best tug dog toys are made of tough, high-quality rubber and have a bumpy texture that helps clean your canine’s teeth.

7. Puzzle Teething Balls

A ball with a teeth-like design allows you to add some yummies and make things even more interesting for your Frenchie: 

Your Frenchie will spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to get the treats out of the teething ball and devour them. During this adorable “struggle,” your French bulldog’s teeth and mouth will be thoroughly cleaned, too. 

Make sure the ball you choose is made of robust and non-toxic rubber, though.

Final Tip & Summary

Before you go, remember just how important dental hygiene is for dogs! 

It’s not about bad breath and yellow teeth – dogs can develop serious problems, such as plaque buildup, gingivitis, and even life-threatening infections. Be responsible and keep your Frenchie’s teeth clean!

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January 29, 2022
JohnnyBlog

Amazing Facts About French Bulldog Teeth

The extensive scope of French bulldog’s teeth as a topic compelled us to paint a clearer picture for all Frenchie parents eager to learn as much as possible about their pups. 

There’s so much to discuss here; we’re not sure where to start! But anyway, one thing’s certain: 

You’ll learn some amazing facts about French bulldog teeth today!

Oh, and we also included information that will help you better understand dental diseases – and preventing them. 

So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Types Of Teeth In Frenchies

French bulldogs have 22 teeth on the lower jaw and 20 on the upper, for a total of 42. And of these, 12 are incisors, 4 are canines, 16 are premolars, and 10 are molars. 

Don’t worry; we’ve explained it all below. 

Incisors

Frenchies have six incisors on the lower jaw and another six on the upper jaw. Ten of these are flat and small, while two, located on both sides of the upper jaw, are somewhat pointed.

French bulldogs use incisors for gnawing and scraping.

Canines

There are two canines on each Frenchie’s jaw. These teeth are long and pointed. 

Also, due to their short snout, Frenchie’s canines and incisors are positioned in a straight line. However, this is only possible for French bulldogs that have broad and square underjaws. 

Frenchies use canines to lock and tear their food.

Premolars

Frenchie’s have eight premolars on either jaw. They are located behind the canines and have sharp edges. 

French bulldogs use them to shred and chew food.

Molars 

French bulldogs have six molars on the lower jaw and four molars on the upper jaw. Molars are grinding teeth, and Frenchies use them to break down their food into smaller pieces.

Frenchie’s Teeth Structure

french bulldog puppy

Breed standards include descriptions of how regular Frenchie’s teeth should look. 

The standard also provides a detailed outline of the ideal characteristics and appearance of the French bulldogs.

We must point out that there are a lot of Frenchies whose characteristics don’t conform to the “ideal” breed standards. As such, if your little friend happens to be an outlier, don’t worry; it’s not alone: 

Many Frenchies have similar characteristics that aren’t documented and approved by the official groups.

Undershot Jaw

Maybe the presence of more teeth on the lower jaw is the evolutionary reason behind the longer appearance of the jaw. Isn’t evolution a fascinating thing?

Back to Frenchies:

French bulldogs have malocclusion – a skeletal misalignment known as “poor bite.” Specifically, Frenchies have mandibular mesioclusion, otherwise known as class 3 malocclusion. In simpler words, it’s the phenomenon where the lower jaw is said to have an underbite or reverse scissor bite.

In “normal” French bulldogs, their lower jaw is curved slightly upwards and “projects” in front of the upper jaw. That creates a setup where lower incisors cover the upper incisors. 

It’s important to mention that there’s no standard size of the gap in between front teeth. Instead, the gap size varies from one Frenchie to another.

However, while for some Frenchies, the underjaw is straight, for others, the incisors on the lower and upper jaws are level, creating what we call a “normal scissor bite.” 

Is Underbite Problematic?

The underbite is typically not an issue, provided your French bulldog can eat, drink, and clean itself without any pain. It’s also not an issue if your Frenchie’s teeth are exposed when it closes its mouth.

Frenchies with underbites don’t have teeth that are exposed when their mouths are closed. 

That’s because the jaw and facial structure enable the thick and broad flews to meet the lower lip at the front – therefore, covering the teeth.

However, in Frenchies with a more pronounced underbite, the flews don’t meet the lower lip and subsequently cover the teeth. Therefore, it’s not rare to see some French bulldogs with exposed underjaw incisors.

When it’s too pronounced, it inhibits eating, drinking, and grooming. You might notice that your Frenchie’s teeth and gums are bleeding, too. 

In these cases, the underbite is considered problematic.

Square And Broad Underjaw

“Normal” French bulldogs should have square and broad underjaws. 

But how do you know whether your Frenchie has these two characteristics? 

Well, you would look at the incisors:

If your French bulldog’s incisors are straight and in a straight line across the jaw, then your pup has a broad and square jaw.

In a French bulldog whose jaw doesn’t curve upwards and is narrow, the incisors will be visible when the dog’s mouth is closed. That also indicates that its teeth are rounded.

Dental Diseases In French Bulldogs

french bulldog autumn

If your Frenchie isn’t showing any pain while eating, drinking, and grooming, the underbite likely doesn’t pose an issue. 

However, if you don’t ensure that your little buddy maintains dental health, they could develop some of the following dental diseases.

Plaque & Tartar

Plaque is a coat that consists of saliva, food particles, and bacteria. Whenever your Frenchie is done eating, this coat covers its mouth and forms a thin film.

As for tartar, it refers to the yellow or brown coat that forms from the built-up plaque at the base of the exposed part of the tooth. It also extends below the gum line.

Plaque slowly turns into tartar over 24 to 72 hours. 

Tartar foretells trouble since it causes bacteria buildup – and as the bacteria multiply, they could lead to other infections. It’s particularly tricky to deal with, unlike plaque. But improved levels of dental hygiene can prevent plaque from morphing into tartar, though. 

So, if you haven’t already, start brushing your Frenchie’s teeth regularly.

Gum Disease

The tartar and plaque build-up can lead to gum diseases. 

Two types of these dental diseases can affect your Frenchie – gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Gingivitis causes swollen gums. And in extreme cases, gingivitis could lead to bleeding. It only impacts the gums – but if left untreated, it can transition into periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is much more severe and impacts your Frenchie’s teeth’ health, affecting the structures that support the gums, leading to fragile teeth prone to falling out.

How To Keep Your Frenchie’s Teeth Healthy?

french bulldog laying in the bed

Again, we’ll emphasize that you must ensure that your French bulldog’s dental hygiene is well taken care of – but how do you achieve this?

Brush Your Frenchie’s Teeth

That is, by far, the easiest way to clean your French bulldog’s teeth. It’s guaranteed to prevent any dental diseases we’ve covered above. 

There are several vital things you should remember before you start brushing your Frenchie’s teeth, though. 

The first few teeth brushing sessions won’t be easy since your French bulldog likely isn’t used to the brushing process. Therefore, training is vital.

Also, you should use proper toothpaste and toothbrush: 

Never use human toothpaste to brush your French bulldog’s teeth because fluoride is poisonous for dogs. 

Use Toys And Dental Treats

Apart from serving the purpose of playing with and training, some toys are used to clean a dog’s teeth. These toys are often made out of tough rubber, and they gently clean your canine friend’s teeth.

Alternatively, you can use dental treats such as specifically formulated biscuits and bones. 

However, you should limit the use of dental treats since they’ll add to your dog’s caloric intake. And if you don’t regulate the use of these treats, your Frenchie will progressively gain weight – and might even become overweight.

Use Dental Water

Dental water is provided to French bulldogs that show resistance towards teeth brushing. This water doesn’t have any taste or smell – and your Frenchie won’t even notice it. 

You should mix dental water with your pet’s drinking water for the best results.

Amazing Facts About French Bulldog Teeth – Conclusion

That’s it – we’ve gone over some pretty amazing facts about French bulldog teeth. Let’s do a quick recap of the crucial points, though.

It’s entirely normal for Frenchies to have an underbite due to their anatomy. 

Still, if you notice that their undershot jaws make feeding, drinking, or grooming problematic in any way, be sure to visit your vet.

And even if your Frenchie doesn’t show any other issues, make sure that its dental hygiene is on point to prevent dental diseases.

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October 28, 2021
JohnnyBlog

10 Signs That Your French Bulldog Is Depressed

Is your Frenchie feeling a bit under the weather?

Pet parents can find it hard to believe that their pup is not in the mood for a walk in the park or a quick game of fetch. Your Frenchie will be sad sometimes – no doubt there. But what if this sadness starts looking like depression?

You’re probably thinking, “I should definitely do something about it!” 

It’s easier said than done, though.

To help your doggo cheer up from whatever’s bothering it, we’ve singled out 10 signs that your French bulldog is depressed.

Quick Answer: 

Your Frenchie’s depression is short-lived – and you’ll have no problem once you pinpoint the root of the problem!

Your Frenchie’s happiness is the number one priority now. So, we’d suggest you stay tuned and figure out the problem – and how to fix it!

Dog Depression Is A Big Deal!

Please don’t underestimate dog sadness. 

It’s the real deal – even if it’s not exactly similar to what we humans feel.

A dog’s brain is smaller, and it doesn’t work the same way yours does. That means that they can experience feelings of sadness and depression a bit differently.

Even more so, dogs can sense your energy. So, if you notice that your Frenchie is not in the best place right now, try not to project any more anxious feelings onto them.

Just like humans, there is a specific limit to which they can tolerate emotions.

Okay, this was a short – but hopefully useful – intro on dog depression. Now, we’re going to focus on some real-life and universal problems. 

Get ready to take notes!

10 Signs That Your French Bulldog Is Depressed

frenchie

You might not be able to determine the exact cause of your Frenchie’s depression. Still, it is crucial that you go over the signs and symptoms – just to see what you’re dealing with here. 

Sometimes, these things are not as apparent until you’ve read them out loud.

Let’s get to it. 

#1 Low Activity Levels

We’re used to our Frenchies always being bubbly, bursting with energy, and in the mood for playtime – all the time. So, the first time they refuse to go to the park or fetch a toy, we’ll start to worry.

If their mood hasn’t been that great for a long time, that’s a reason to worry. 

Low activity levels and refusing playtime are generally the first and most common signs that your dog is depressed.

Before you start panicking, try to bring in a family member or a friend your pup knows well. If the situation repeats, and your Frenchie refuses to play with them, too, it’s official: 

Your dog might be suffering from depression.

#2 Loss Of Appetite

Immediately after laziness comes a loss of appetite. This sign deserves a place in the top three because no dog would say “No” to treats. They go crazy for them, and owners often can’t resist their puppy eyes.

But what happens when your Frenchie is refusing a delicious dog snack?

Try offering them their favorite treat. If your Frenchie still doesn’t budge, you might have a problem.

#3 Sleeping All The Time

Some dogs are hyperactive, and some are lazy, but they all have one thing in common – they all love to put all four up and relax. 

Adult Frenchies do spend up to 14 hours a day snoozing. Relaxing is one thing, though. But it’s not normal for your Frenchie to spend too much time sleeping. 

So, if your Frenchie refuses to get out of bed, and all you hear is snoring sounds – it might be feeling depressed.

Note: Excess sleeping often has a psychological background to it.

#4 Or Not Sleeping At All?

Constant sleep is not the only sign. Insomnia is another red flag – and this one could have an impact on you, too.

If they’re not sleeping, they’ll walk around the house, jump on your bed, and get in all sorts of trouble. And, honestly, they might get on your nerves, too.

#5 Constantly Licking Their Paws

frenchie

We find that this is crucial to mention; many owners let it slide without checking what’s up. If you notice that your French bulldog’s been licking its paws constantly, there’s a slight chance that it is depressed. 

How is this connected?

Well, licking could be a form of self-soothing – just like too much sleeping.

Also, excess licking can have health consequences. Your French bulldog can pick up a lot of parasites and dust mites that could lead to infections and inflammation.

You ought to be careful with this one.

#6 Howling

A dog’s bark is a means of communication; that’s a fact. They’ll get your attention by barking – sometimes too much – and some dogs are famous for their loud bark.

You should start worrying when barking turns into howling, though.

These sad, prolonged howls, in most cases, have nothing to do with what we’ve mentioned above. It’s usually a cry for help – and a desperate one at that.

#7 Aggressive Outbursts

French bulldogs are NOT an aggressive dog breed.

However, if they’re feeling depressed and you’ve been ignoring the other red flags, it’s easy for sad emotions to turn into aggression.

These sudden and aggressive outbursts can happen whenever. Your Frenchie can bite you – or growl until you leave the room.

That’s pretty serious – especially if you have small children in the house. 

#8 Destructive Behavior

Aggression and destructive behavior are related – but they won’t happen at the same time. Your Frenchie will either have sudden aggressive outbursts towards you or will try to ruin your furniture.

In the latter case, you’re looking at chewed-on furniture, broken vases, overturned carpets, dog toys all around the house… The list goes on, and it could become endless if you don’t put a stop to it.

#9 Flattening Their Ears

Good knowledge of your Frenchie’s body language can help you a lot. If you didn’t know, the movement of your dog’s ears could be an indication of happiness, fear – and aggression.

Flattening their ears is a sign of anxiety, fear, and depression. The sadder or more frightened your Frenchie is, the more its ears will go back.

#10 Inappropriate Urination

Until you properly train your dog to go outside for “bathroom breaks,” you’ll have problems in this department.

But if your Frenchie’s properly potty-trained and starts urinating inside, something’s not right. There is probably an underlying medical cause behind this; you might want to call the vet.

What Can You Do To Help Your Frenchie?

Now that we’ve listed some potential signs of doggy depression, it’s time to touch on an even more important subject:

How can you help a depressed French bulldog?

Here are a couple of tips for concerned owners.

First things first: 

If you don’t want your puppy to develop depression, you should be affectionate, too – and not just your Frenchie. Cuddle with them, take them on regular walks – and even talk to them.

There’s more, though. Your dog needs your love, but it also needs company. Consider taking your Frenchie to dog parks more often and arrange dog playdates.

Call your vet for a one-on-one medical consultation if you notice that the matter is spiraling out of hand. Maybe your Frenchie is suffering from something more serious – and it needs medication.

Our Final Thoughts

There are many signs that your French bulldog is depressed. They can be related to the environment, food, anger issues – or even sleeping patterns.

The main point is, dog depression is genuine, and you need to deal with it. 

Once you’ve figured out the problem, you can take baby steps to help your Frenchie get over this tough period.

We’re always looking for ways to improve. So, if you’d like to add something or maybe share your personal experience with canine depression, drop a comment below!

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