French Bulldog Joint Care Guide

You might already know that Frenchies are predisposed to a wide variety of health issues — joint problems are one of the more common ones.

Despite Frenchies’ increased risk of joint problems when compared to other breeds, there are still many ways that you can reduce their risk of developing joint issues.

By catching joint issues early in their course, you can slow down their progression and increase your Frenchie’s quality-of-life.

This article will explain the types of joint issues, what signs to look for, managing pre-existing joint disorders, as well as some tips on how to minimize strain on their joints.

French Bulldog Joint Care Guide
Types of Joint Issues
Symptoms of Joint Problems
What causes Joint Problems in French Bulldogs?
Preventing Joint Issues
- Tips for Prevention
Treatments for Joint Issues

Types of Joint Issues

In dogs, there are two categories of joint issues: development and degenerative.

Developmental joint issues such as hip dysplasia are much more common in Frenchies due to their narrow hips

Developmental Joint Problems

These types of joint issues arise where there is abnormal development of the joint.

They are not always present at birth, however, genetics can predispose your Frenchie to developing these issues.

French Bulldogs are notorious for hereditary joint issues. By carefully selecting a breeder and finding one that selectively breeds-out these preventable joint issues, you can lower the risk of having to deal with any of these issues. With this being said, nothing is ever a guarantee, and even the dogs with the best genetics can go on to develop joint issues.

Types of Developmental Joint Problems

Hip dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia

Degenerative Joint Problems

These joint problems are degenerative and progress over time.

Types of Degenerative Joint Problems

Cruciate ligament problems

Joint Trauma

Symptoms of Joint Problems

The signs of joint problems in dogs is a bit different than you’d expect.

Pain is not the first sign, as dogs have pretty high pain tolerances.

Watch for these signs

Lethargy
Difficulty performing normal activities
Hesitant to jump on the couch, climb stairs, etc. (Any activity that didn’t cause any trouble in the past)
Lameness of limb or holding limb up
Loss of muscle mass over the limbs and spine
Limping
More irritable than normal
Sleeping more
Slow to get up mornings
Pain

What causes Joint Problems in French Bulldogs?

When it comes to the cause of all any joint issues, there are two main components: a genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

Genetic predisposition
Is a factor in the rate and progression of joint disorders
Some joint problems can be eliminated from the gene pool through selective breeding.
Environmental factors
Excessive growth
Strenuous/improper/unhealthy exercise
Obesity
Nutritional factors

Preventing Joint Issues

The key to preventing joint problems for your Frenchie is by reducing the strain placed on their joints.

Think about it like this…

Genetic Predisposition + (Strain x Time) = Joint Issues

You can’t really control your Frenchie’s genetics, however, you can control the level and frequency of their strenuous activities. For example, jumping off of a 1.5-2ft high surface (like your bed) a few times is unlikely to cause immediate harm, however, doing this daily for years is a recipe-for-disaster.

Tips for Prevention

1. Avoid jumping off of high surfaces

I know it can be hard to stop your Frenchie from launching themselves into the air off of your bed or couch, however, it’s ideal to pick them up and set them down on the floor.

Training your Frenchie to not jump off of high surfaces is easier said than done… for me, it’s been pretty much impossible.

Gone in 60 Milliseconds

When my Frenchie gets excited, there’s no stopping her from doing anything. A knock at the door or another dog barking outside and she’s leaped off the bed in the blink of an eye. Sometimes I can catch her before she does, but that’s on a lucky day.

Meet me Halfway, Frenchie

The solution for me is to use some sort of a platform (chair or footrest) or dog-stairs.

If you’re in a pinch, a chair will work temporarily — it cuts the height off the floor in half, but it’s by no means perfect as they’ll still be about a foot or so off the ground.

Puppy Stairs

The best solution — the one I’ve been using — is puppy stairs.

They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes… and they’re quite the luxury for your pup.

Dog Stairs

Anti-slip bottom for stability
Lightweight & portable
Available in 3, 4, and 5 steps

Help your Frenchie climb to the top of your high bed or couch with these stairs.

These linen stairs are available in three different heights and five unique colors that’ll blend purr-fectly with your home’s décor.

Why should your Frenchie jump when they can simply walk up some stairs?

My Frenchie was quick to love the staircases I’ve placed around my home — who doesn’t love taking the path of least resistance?

2. Reducing strain on hind legs

Avoid holding a ball up in the air so that they jump up for it — when they land on their hind legs, it puts a lot of stress on their joints.
As cute as it is, you don’t want to hold up a toy so they’re “standing” like a human either… they walk on four-legs for a reason! They’re not meant to be in a “standing” position for long periods of time.

3. Maintain a healthy weight

I could go on for hours about the benefits of keeping your Frenchie a healthy weight.

As mentioned earlier, obesity is one of those preventable environmental factors that can accelerate any joint issues’ progression.

What Should my French Bulldog Weigh? Guidelines and Tips

Did you know most pets are overweight? Learn about the risks and causes of weight gain in French Bulldogs and how to keep your Frenchie a healthy weight!

4. Don’t play too rough

My Frenchie is always pushing her limits… sometime

Many vets agree that dogs have a lower sensitivity to pain than us humans, however, that does not mean their joints are any more resilient to injury

5. Proper diet

The Essentials to a Healthy Diet

Avoid feeding them table scraps
Make sure the food is formulated for their current life-stage (puppy, adult, senior, etc.)

French Bulldog Joint Care Supplements

Glucosamine
Chondroitin
Fish oils (great for reducing inflammation)

Best Foods For French Bulldogs

Your Frenchie is what it eats... Learn what makes a good Frenchie food & the pros / cons of dry, wet, and raw diets. Find a food for your Frenchie regardless of their life-stage.

Treatments for Joint Issues

Fortunately, there are many treatments for joint issues available to help improve your Frenchie’s quality-of-life… and they’re not all surgery!

Surgery is often a Last-Resort

In fact, surgery is pretty much always considered a last-resort… physical therapy is great at helping strengthen those muscles that support the joints to reduce the strain placed on these joints.

Physical Therapy

For Frenchies that have mild joint issues or those that were caught early in their progression, physical therapy is the go-to treatment.

Forms of Physical Therapy

Manual therapy
Hydrotherapy
Thermotherapy (heat packs)
Cryotherapy (ice packs)
Lasers
Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF)
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)

Medication

Surgery

If other treatments fail, your vet might recommend surgery as an option to cure/improve their joint issues.

Caring for your French Bulldog's Joints