I recommend you print this list off and stick it your refrigerator… some of the foods I list that your dog should avoid, aren’t just bad for your English Bulldog, they could even be fatal. Some will poison your dog and are foods that are toxic to English Bulldogs.

Because of this, I’ve put the most poisonous foods to English Bulldogs first on the list. It explains why they are toxic and even how much they might eat before you call a vet.

Bottom line though; if your English Bulldog eats anything they shouldn’t, don’t wait to read notes like this on the Internet – call your vet!

So, if you want to find out what food English Bulldogs can’t eat, plus some plants that are poisonous to them too – read on.

What foods are bad and poisonous foods for English Bulldogs

Like most dogs, English Bulldogs will eat whatever you put in front of them. If you happen to drop something on the floor and they gobble it up, in most cases, they should be fine with eating things in moderation.

However, there are some foods that are extremely toxic and not safe for English Bulldogs to eat, even in small amounts. Knowing what English Bulldogs cannot eat is really important in keeping your dog safe.

Here’s what foods are bad or dangerous for English Bulldogs, followed by things that they eat that are not poisonous as such, but are still bad.

1. Chocolate

This is most commonly misunderstood food that English Bulldogs cannot eat, and the one that leads to most people having to call a vet.

It’s all due to the toxic theobromine substance in chocolate. Just small amounts can make your English Bulldog sick, so if chocolate drops on the floor, pick it up immediately. In large quanties your dog will vomit, and in more serious cases develop an abnormal heartbeat, tremors, seizure, and even death.

Dark chocolate is the most dangerous and poisonous to English Bulldogs as it contains more of the theobromine.

2. Onions, garlic, leeks and chives

All of these foods are in the Allium family. Anything in this bracket is a poisonous food for English Bulldogs, whether it’s been boiled, cooked, or whatever – it’s not something your English Bulldog should eat ever.

These foods are said to makes dogs feel poorly and in larger amounts can lead to red blood cell damage. You won’t always see symptoms of poisoning straight away as it can take a few days for the toxic effects to take effect.

3. Artificial sweetener (xylitol) in gum and mints

Xylitol is one of the most toxic things an English Bulldog can eat, and is commonly found in some mints and sugar-free gums.

According to research (see research published on MSU.edu), xylitol is 100 times more toxic than chocolate is for dogs. If they just eat one stick of gum with xylitol, a small dog could see their blood sugar levels dip considerably.

If the small dog went onto to eat a whole pack of gum with 10 sticks containing toxic xylitol, it could damage their liver irreparably and possibly even kill them.

Other foods and household items that can contain xylitol include:

• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Peanut butter
• Sugar-free candy
• Sugar free breath mints
• Fruit drinks
• Jellies and jams
• Cereals
• Baked goods
• Sugar-free puddings and Jello
• Over the counter vitamin supplements

4. Candy and sweets

It’s not just the foods above that come with toxic xylitol. Some candy brands do too, so always check the labelling.

To be frank, you shouldn’t be letting your dog eat candy anyway, even if it’s free of poisonous xylitol. Why? It’s due to the sugar levels plus there’s also the risk of choking or blockages in your English Bulldog’s digestive tract or tooth fractures.

5. Certain peanut butter brands

Our English Bulldog loves peanut butter. It’s one of his favorite treats, especially when we put it in a Kong Toy.

However, some peanut butter brands include xylitol. This substance is toxic to dogs and needs to be avoided at all costs due to poisoning.

6. Corn on the cob

Corn on the cob is not among the poisonous foods for English Bulldogs, but it is dangerous due to the cob part. These can lodge in the throat of your dog and intestines, so should be avoided at all costs.

Sweetcorn is fine, as this will be easily digestible though.

7. Cooked bones

Dogs love to eat bones. Everyone knows dogs love bones, but they are dangers with this food type.

When bones are cooked, they become brittle and can break apart. This means that when English Bulldogs eat cooked bones, small slithers can perforate their internal organs, leading to big risks to their health… with possible fatal consequences.

8. Avocado

Fruit is a great food for English Bulldogs, but not all fruit! Avocado is one such, as it can be bad for English Bulldogs but only when prepared in a particular way.

Avocados contain a poisonous toxin called persin which when eaten in large quantities can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. However, persin is mostly concentrated in the avocado skin and pit, rather than the fleshy part.

So, should your English Bulldog eat an avocado, chances are you won’t have any problems. But, it’s still worth avoiding, especially the toxic parts – the skin and stone.

9. Grapes and raisins

Another group of fruits that can be poisonous to your English Bulldog are grapes and raisins. They are a toxic food for English Bulldogs and can lead to kidney failure when eaten in large quantities.

10. Macadamia nuts and walnuts

All nuts should really be avoided in an English Bulldog’s diet, as they are just the right size and texture that lead to choking. However, these two nuts which are potentially toxic to dogs.

When eaten at volume, both can result in diarrhea, sickness, and the possibility of canine pancreatitis.

The side effects of Macadamia nuts are very nasty and rank high on the list of poisonous foods for English Bulldogs… the poisoning can result in hyperthermia, tremors, vomiting, and lethargy.

11. Cherry, peach, and plum pits

Due to the size of pips and seeds like this, they can become lodged in the intestines of smaller dogs like English Bulldogs. Blockages are a very real risk, so don’t let things like this anywhere near your dog’s mouth.

There are also trace elements of cyanide in the pits of some fruits like peach and plum. It would take a heck of a lot to poison your English Bulldog, but it’s a bad food either way.

12. Mustard seeds

Mustard is so vomit-inducing to English Bulldogs that vets sometimes use it to make dogs sick up for medical purposes. The seeds in particular are very toxic as they contain poisonous elements to dogs.

13. Coconuts and coconut oil

A little bit of coconut is unlikely to harm your English Bulldog, but the milk and white flesh of a coconut is known to cause stomach upsets in dogs.

The reasons coconut water should be avoided is due to the potassium in it, at high levels too.

14. Yeast dough

When ingested, yeast dough will heat up and then start to rise and create gas. This is very problematic in an English Bulldog’s digestive system, leading to extreme pain, bloating, and possibly the twisting of their gut.

It’s potentially fatal, so if your English Bulldog eats yeast dough, visit a vet immediately… the yeast can also change into ethanol, a highly potent alcohol.

15. Alcohol

This is good time to talk about alcohol dangers and how dangerous this drink can be for dogs.

Alcohol consumption can make your English Bulldog have diarrhea, vomit, difficulty in breathing, tremors, a lack of coordination, abnormal blood acidity, central nervous system depression, and even a possible coma or death.

Giving your dog alcohol isn’t funny and can kill them.

16. Hops

On a similar topic, the hops that are used in home brewing kits are also a dangerous ingredient for English Bulldogs to eat. There are compounds in the hops that lead to malignant hyperthermia.

That means your English Bulldog’s temperature can rise rapidly, possibly causing permanent damage to the organs and brain or even death.

17. Coffee, caffeine, and tea

Drinks with in are bad for English Bulldogs. It’s all down to the methylxanthines in the caffeine which causes similar bad reactions in dogs to chocolate.

If your English Bulldog has licked up a couple of coffee granules, chances are he will be fine. But in large amounts such as loose tea and coffee beans, it could be very harmful and require vet’s help.

18. Nutmeg

Myristicin us a toxic substance with trace amounts found in nutmeg. When dogs eat it in large amounts it can lead to various problems including abdominal pain, increased heart rate, seizures, and even the possibility of hallucinations.

19. Moldy food

If your dog has access to trash, be very careful. Moldy food is bad for English Bulldogs as it can contain mycotoxins. Mycotoxins grow on moldy food and make it poisonous when ingested.

Bad food for English Bulldogs

In addition to the foods that are bad for English Bulldogs, there are others. Whilst they are not strictly considered poisonous and toxic, you should avoid them due to the potential negative side effects. For example, weight gain.

20. Milk and dairy products

Many English Bulldogs will be lactose intolerant, meaning dairy products can make them sick. Dogs don’t have the same digestive system as us and can find it hard to break down lactose in milk, meaning runny diarrhea issues!

21. Blue cheese

Given that you know dairy is bad option for dogs, it should come as no surprise that some cheeses can be dangerous. Avoid the blue cheeses, Roquefort, and Stilton. They have roquefortine C which is known to cause very bad reactions in dogs.

This can include symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. In more extreme cases your English Bulldog could develop seizures and tremors if they eat a lot of blue cheese.

22. Meat and eggs that have not been cooked properly

Many owners now feed their English Bulldog a raw diet, and there’s nothing wrong with that providing they get all the nutrients and goodness required.

However, there is some research to suggest that bacterial infections such as Salmonella and E. coli can be contracted by dogs eating raw meat.

23. Food and drinks with high sugar content

Sugary food and snacks aren’t good for us, so they certainly aren’t for your dog. In fact, this is one of the worst foods for English Bulldogs, and can result in a range of health problems.

Dogs that have too many snacks with sugar content are at risk of developing diabetes, weight gain, and even decayed teeth and gums. Sugar can also upset delicate English Bulldog tummies too, so something to avoid at all costs.

24. Food high in salt and sodium content

Just like lots of sugar, the same applies to salt content. Food that is high in sodium can potentially poison your English Bulldog… but is most likely to lead to them getting extreme thirst and increased urination in the volume it would be in dropped food.

If your English Bulldog does eat lots of salt, the warning signs are very severe and include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high body temperature, and seizures.

25. Fatty foods

Fatty foods such sausage, bacon, burgers, and fried food can result in upset stomachs. If your English Bulldog gets to eat these tasty snacks over a prolonged period of time, it could even result in pancreatitis.

Yes, it’s hard to say no to those pleading eyes when they beg for your food, but often the tastiest food is the worst for English Bulldogs.

What plants are poisonous to English Bulldogs?

There are also things your English Bulldog should not eat outdoors including the following toxic plants.

• Aconitum
• Amaryllis bulbs
• Asparagus fern
• Azalea
• Citrus
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil bulbs
• Day lilies
• Delphiniums
• Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
• Foxgloves
• Hemlock
• Hibiscus
• Hostas
• Hyacinth
• Hydrangea
• Ivy
• Laburnum
• Lily of the valley
• Lupins
• Morning glory
• Mushroom plants
• Nightshade
• Oleander
• Rhododendron
• Rhubarb leaves
• Sweet pea
• Tomato leaves and stems
• Tulip bulbs
• Umbrella plant
• Wisteria
• Yew

This list contains just the most common plants that are poisonous to English Bulldogs. For a more comprehensive list, please download this print out from the Dogs Trust.

Conclusion

The reality is, most of the time if your English Bulldog has just eaten a very small amount of any of the bad foods listed here, they “should” be ok.

But, please never leave anything to chance and also consult with a professional veterinarian for advice.

I am not a vet, just a dog owner so all I have written here today is what I have personally learned and research myself. It should not replace veterinarian advice.

You might also like…

In addition to this list of foods toxic to English Bulldogs, I also write individual guides about other things they can eat, and the health implications. Here’s a small sample of recent content.

• Why English Bulldogs get runny noses
• How to stop your bulldog from snoring so much

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/english-bulldog-bulldog-smile-4247037/

The post What Foods Are Bad, Poisonous, & Toxic to English Bulldogs? 25 Bad Foods! appeared first on DoggySaurus.

However, this isn’t always the case. Yes, English Bulldogs can get congested with cold and suffer with sinus infections, but a runny nose doesn’t always mean something bad. Whilst it is true that the generations of breeding have made English Bulldogs’ nasal passages less than ideal, don’t always be panicked by a runny nose… and here’s why (followed by when I suggest you should speak with a vet):

Do English Bulldogs have runny noses?

Why does my English Bulldog have a runny nose? English Bulldogs do have runny noses, and it’s normal for a small amount of clear snot to be coming from their nose most of the time. Because English Bulldog noses are short and flat, things like snot are a lot more visible compared to other dog breeds.  

When it comes to your English Bulldog’s runny nose, it is important to establish what is normal for them, as every individual animal has a slightly different definition of normal. If your English Bulldog is producing a noticeably larger amount of snot than before, or it changes colour to yellow or green, you should take stock of those abnormalities and take them to see a vet.

Can English Bulldogs get sinus infections?

English Bulldogs can get sinus infections more than other breeds due to the way in which their nasal passages and skulls are formed.

The unique look of English Bulldogs has been bred extensively down the years but does mean they can suffer with breathing issues and nasal / sinus infections more than other breeds will do.

The causes and treatments for English Bulldog runny noses

The medical term for runny noses in dogs is nasal discharge, and this refers not just to snot, but also blood, fluid and anything else that comes out of your English Bulldog’s nose.

There are many reasons why your English Bulldog may have a runny nose or an English Bulldog sounds congested, and whilst some can be treated at home yourself, others need urgent medical attention from your vet.

This makes it important that you distinguish between the different reasons why your English Bulldog may have a runny nose, with some of the most common reasons being listed below.

1. Allergies

Just like humans, English Bulldogs can suffer from allergies too. It is one of the most common reasons behind an abnormally runny nose.

English Bulldogs can be allergic to all kinds of things, with some examples including pollen, chemicals, food and even our shed human skin (called dander)! But this list is far from exhaustive.

Symptoms

If a English Bulldog is suffering from allergies, they may display some of the following symptoms:

• Lots of clear nasal discharge.
• Eye discharge.
• Itchiness.
• Nose bleeds.
• Coughing.
• Struggling to breathe.

Treatment

If your vet suspects your English Bulldog has an allergy, they will perform an allergy test in order to confirm it. Once the allergy is confirmed, you will be able to reduce allergic reactions by avoiding the allergy trigger altogether.

However, if this isn’t possible, your vet can prescribe antihistamines, steroids and immunosuppressants amongst other kinds of medication.

2. Nasal blockages

If the nasal discharge is just coming from one nostril, this could mean that there is a foreign object (like a piece of grit or a blade of grass) partly blocking your English Bulldog’s nasal passage.

Symptoms

As well as this isolated nasal discharge, other common signs of a blockage in the nose include nosebleeds, sneezing and pawing at the nose.

Treatment

Here, you have a choice of either treating the blockage at home or at the vets. If you can see the cause of the blockage and have a steady hand, you can probably remove the blockage yourself with tweezers.

However, if your English Bulldog is fidgety or the cause of the blockage isn’t immediately visible, it is probably best to take them to the vets. The inside of the nose is incredibly sensitive, so even a small cut could lead to a lot of bleeding.

If you take your English Bulldog to the vets, they’ll be sedated, have the source of the blockage removed and be prescribed antibiotics to avoid infection.

3. Polyps and tumours

Some English Bulldogs have excessive nasal discharge as a result of growths in their nose. Nasal polyps are the medical term for overgrown mucus-producing glands, whilst nasal tumours, which present similar symptoms, can be benign or cancerous.

Symptoms

If you suspect your English Bulldog has growths in the nose, look out for the following symptoms:

• Blood, pus and mucus being discharged from the nose.
• A decreased appetite.
• A bulge on the side of the nose that wasn’t there before.
• Noisy breathing.

Treatment

Of course, if you see any kind of growth on your English Bulldog, it is paramount that you take them to the vets to be assessed.

Polyps and benign nasal tumours are often treated with surgery. Given the fact that polyps tend to reappear, your English Bulldog may need multiple bouts of surgery.

Unfortunately, whilst cancerous nasal tumours can be treated with radiation, they are inoperable and don’t have a great prognosis.

4. Nasal and sinus infections

English Bulldogs can also catch sinus infections. This may be from other animals or from coming into contact with something unsavoury outside. They can catch bacterial, fungal or viral infections.

Symptoms

Although symptoms may vary based on the type of infection, some of the most common symptoms of an infection in your English Bulldog include:

• Green or yellow mucus or pus being discharged from their nose, which is often followed by coughing and choking.
• Nose bleeds.
• A pungent and unusual odor.

Treatment

Depending on the type of infection, your vet’s treatment plan may vary.

If your English Bulldog is suffering from a fungal infection, your vet will prescribe you specialist anti-fungal drugs, whereas if your English Bulldog has a bacterial infection, your vet will put them on a course of antibiotics.

If an English Bulldog ends up having frequent infections (which is often the result of a poor immune system, a lack of vaccinations or an underlying illness), your vet may decide that the best course of action is an operation.

Conclusion

Although your English Bulldog may experience breathing complications due to their short, flat noses, their noses oftentimes work just as well as any other dog breed, so it’s important not to panic if you see them experiencing nasal discharge.

However, it is also important to trust your judgement if you think something is not right about the nasal discharge or runny nose.

It may be a different consistency, amount or colour than you’re used to or be one of many unusual symptoms your English Bulldog is experiencing at that time.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you aren’t fully confident about the cause of your English Bulldog’s runny nose it is important to take them to the vets. With their help, your English Bulldog will be back to their old selves in no time!

You might also like…

If you are an English Bulldog owner then here are a few other things to look out for in your pup:

• Tips for reducing your English Bulldog’s snoring problem
• How to tell if your English Bulldog is truly happy
• Foods that could be toxic or poisonous to your dog

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/english-bulldog-dog-mammal-cute-3034226/

The post Why Does My English Bulldog Have a Runny Nose? (Signs of Sinus Infections) appeared first on DoggySaurus.

What are the early signs if your English Bulldog is pregnant?

Some of the easiest ways you can know if your English Bulldog is pregnant is by ticking the following points off this checklist:

• Does your English Bulldog have a decreased appetite?
• Does your English Bulldog seem tired and less active?
• Does your English Bulldog have swollen nipples?
• Does your English Bulldog have a swollen belly (can happen after just 14 days)?

Even during the first 20 to 30 days, a vet could feel your dog’s belly and might be able to say whether she is pregnant or not.

Handy Hint: Whilst it’s possible to feel puppies moving in the belly of a pregnant dog, it’s not often until 5 or 6 weeks into the pregnancy that this is really that common.

None of the methods above are particularly scientific, and so the accuracy can be all over the place. With that in mind, below are the best ways that you can tell if your English Bulldog is pregnant with more certainty.

How to tell if an English Bulldog is pregnant more accurately

There are two fail-safe tests you can get a vet to use that will 100% tell you if your English Bulldog is pregnant or not.

1. English Bulldog ultrasound 25 days after mating

This is the quickest way to check if your planned mating and conception worked; an English Bulldog ultrasound scan. Vets recommend you do this pregnancy test as early as 21 days after the mating or artificial insemination occurred – but will be best if you can wait at least 25 days.

An ultrasound is non-invasive and painless but can be a bit scary for timid dogs. The vet will need to shave a little hair away from your English Bulldog’s belly; this might stress her out a little bit due to the noise.

An English Bulldog ultrasound procedure can cost up to $500 dollars, which in UK money currently converts to around £380 pounds. It’s not cheap, so you might want to wait for the next method.

2. Blood test 5 weeks after mating

If you tried to breed your English Bulldog 5 weeks ago or more, you can also pay for a blood test. The blood sample will be checked for pregnancy hormones and will be a lot cheaper than an ultrasound.

It’s important to not do this test less than 5 weeks after mating because the results can come up as being negative, even with an English Bulldog who is in the early stages of pregnancy.

Which English Bulldog pregnancy test is more reliable?

For the most accurate pregnancy test, choose the ultrasound after at least 25 days since mating. As well as being a more accurate of telling if your English Bulldog is pregnant, you will also be able to see the puppies on the screen and scans… an exciting time!

Whilst you can see the puppies, you still might not be able to tell exactly how many there are in at the early stages, as the body shapes can overlap. Only an X-ray further down the line where the vet can count skulls will give you an accurate number on the litter size.

Handy Hint: This how long your English Bulldog will be pregnant for, with each stage in more detail.

An X-ray can be performed after 45 days of pregnancy and will let the vet have a far better look at how the puppies are developing in the womb.

As well as the skull count, your vet will also be able to see how large the puppy heads are, giving an indication on whether a natural birth or C-section is recommend for safety reasons.

English Bulldog pregnancy stages

Once you know if your English Bulldog is pregnant, you will need to get prepared. Here’s what to expect with each stage of the pregnancy with tips on how you can help her out.

Stage 1: the first month

There’s not a lot going on visually during the first month of an English Bulldog pregnancy. You might not even know your English Bulldog is pregnant without an expensive ultrasound.

However, there is a lot going on internally, both physically and mentally:

• After 7 days: the embryos travel to the uterine horns.
• After 16 days: the embryos embed into the uterus lining.
• After 22 days: fetuses start to take shape.
• After 29 days: vets can detect heartbeats with an ultrasound.

Towards the end of month one, you might start to see some subtle changes in your pregnant English Bulldog such as:

• Her appetite will now start to pick back up, taking on board more calories.
• Her nipples will have become enlarged.
• She can show more affection towards the owner can increase.
• She could have a clear vaginal discharge during the fourth week.
• She might start to be less active and more sedentary.
• She could even show signs of canine morning sickness.

Not all English Bulldogs will exhibit the pregnancy signs listed above, and in fact, they can even be exhibited during a phantom pregnancy – yes, this really can happen!

Stage 2: the second month

Your English Bulldog’s pregnancy is progressing very quickly now, as the growing fetuses start to actually look more like puppies. Here’s what you can expect:

• After 35 days: the fetuses develop toes and eyelids.
• After 40 days: the fetuses develop claws.
• After 50 days: the fetuses develop a skeleton and the coat starts to form.
• After 50 days: vets can do an x-ray to tell how many puppies are coming.
• After 58 days: your pregnant English Bulldog will start her nesting behavior.

Changes in your English Bulldog’s appearance and behavior won’t be as subtle now, with some very obvious signs of pregnancy including:

• She will noticeably be eating more (but this will decrease again around day 45).
• She will show obvious weight again, perhaps as much as 50%.
• She will be urinating more regularly.
• She will have a clear vaginal discharge.
• Her stomach will get firmer by day 50.
• You might see the puppies moving under her belly skin by day 50.

Stage 3: the third month

In the third month, she will start getting ready to have her puppies. They will end up getting into position before arriving on the 63^rd day on average. Here’s what you can expect in month 3:

• After 58 days: the puppies are almost fully developed and move into the birth canal.
• After 62 days: she will lose her appetite completely, become agitated, and even appear slimmer as the puppies move into position.
• On average after 63 days: your pregnant English Bulldog will give birth.

How to prepare for an English Bulldog pregnancy

Your English Bulldog will be pregnant for between 58 and 68 days, with the average delivery date being after 63 days. Most of her physical changes will actually happen during the last 14 days before she gives birth.

As an owner (or breeder) there are some ways in which you can help her have as comfortable a pregnancy as possible such as:

• Diet: after 30 days you can feed her kibble for the puppies. Speak to your vet about a specific diet plan.
• Exercise: do not over-do it as she will not have as much energy and could harm her unborn puppies.
• Nesting: she will want to create a nest, and you can help her with this by finding a safe and comfortable place for her in the home.

When it’s time to give birth, your English Bulldog can start to look agitated, including pawing at her nest, walking back and forwards to it, and then panting before settling down.

It can then take anywhere from 2 to 12 hours before you see the first puppy coming through.

Once an English Bulldog puppy comes out, the mother will bite at the sack and lick the new arrival to start his breathing off. If she is unable to do this, or too slow, you might need to help out.

If the puppy does not get onto the mother’s teat, you can place it on there to help to aid immediate feeding.

Natural birth vs C-section

Consult with your vet on which method he recommends. Sometimes this will depend on how many puppies she is having. If she is only having a couple of puppies then they will be bigger, and could be harder to give birth too, meaning a C-section is chosen.

If a Caesarean is planned for your English Bulldog it could cost between $640 and $1,300 dollars (£500 and £1,000 GBP). There will always be a risk with any type of surgery.

Conclusion

Now that you know if your English Bulldog is pregnant, you need to get prepared… get ready for the ride, as it’s going to be amazing!

If you find out that your English Bulldog is pregnant, then please do get in touch, as me and the readers would love to see some photos of the new puppies!

You might also like…

I frequently write about English Bulldogs, and here’s some of my more recent content:

• How you can reduce your English Bully’s snoring problem
• How to tell if your English Bully is happy or not

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/bulldog-cute-easter-animal-dog-2952049/ 

The post How Do I Know if My English Bulldog is Pregnant? + Signs to Look Out For appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Why does my English Bulldog have red eyes? A English Bulldog with red eyes could be suffering with a number of different eye problems including cherry eye (tear gland inflammation), dry eye where the tear ducts stop producing tears, or it could be an allergy if your English Bulldog’s eyes are bloodshot.

I will now explain the different eye problems your English Bulldog may suffer from, in particular focusing in on red or bloodshot eyes as these are the most common complaints.

It includes what causes English Bulldog cherry eye, dry eye, and allergic reactions, with some information on treatment and when you should call your vet.

Are red eyes normal for English Bulldogs?

English Bulldogs have a lot of characteristics most other dog breeds do not. These those wrinkles and yes, and a muzzle that’s short and flat. One characteristic any healthy English Bulldog should not have red eyes. Like any dog, the whites of a English Bulldog’s eyes should be, well, white.

If they’re not, there are several reasons for it.

What does it mean if my English Bulldog has red eyes?

In the intro, I mentioned there are three causes of red or bloodshot eyes in English Bulldogs. These are tear gland inflammation, dry eye, or possibly an allergy in most cases where you see a bloodshot appearance. Here are some more details on those red eye causes.

English Bulldog cherry eye (tear gland inflammation)

If your English Bulldog has what looks like a small red cherry in the corner of their eye, then it’s most likely going to be tear gland inflammation. This inflammation, also known as cherry eye, could cause eye duct slippage if the glands become swollen enough.

Red cherry eye affects the tear duct gland, causing it to swell up and look reddened. In the worst of cases, the gland could move from its natural positioning because it’s gotten so big and swollen.

That would be considered a more severe case of cherry eye, as it may impact your English Bulldog’s vision at that point.

While a small case of cherry eye doesn’t hurt your English Bulldog, you still need to go to the vet as if not given treatment it could go onto become a more serious issue in the future.

English Bulldog cherry eye can also be combined with red bloodshot eyes, some visible discharge and lots of blinking. It can be clear up by itself, or your vet may decide to perform a small corrective surgery.

Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)

The next reason your English Bulldog has red eyes could be dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Dry eye is painful and necessitates a vet trip.

If your English Bulldog’s tear glands look okay but their eyes are still somewhat red, then more than likely, they have dry eye. Another dead giveaway with dry eye is if your English Bulldog blinks a lot. They’re trying to lubricate their eyes, but it won’t work. You might also see a yellow discharge and swelling of the eyelids.

A English Bulldog with dry eye cannot produce tears, leading to a lack of lubrication. Dry eye can affect people as well as pets.

Not only does dry eye hurt a lot, but it can cause long-term trouble as well. Without the lubrication provided by tears, the eye can no longer combat debris and irritants from settling on its surface.

These could either irritate the eye further, making dry eye even more painful, or scratch the delicate parts of the eye.

English Bulldogs are already quite prone to traumatic eye injuries such as scratches. It’s something you should do your best to safeguard your dog from, such as removing any items with pointy edges that are at the English Bulldog’s eye height.

Without proper treatment, red and dry eyes can become scarred leading to permanent vision loss. Vets will treat dry eye with a combination of eye drops, pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and possibly a course of antibiotics.

Handy Hint: Here’s why your English Bulldog has a runny nose, and when you should contact a vet about it.

Why does my English Bulldog have bloodshot eyes?

If your English Bulldog has bloodshot eyes and you cannot see any visible signs of swelling, a lack of tears, or a red cherry eye, then it could simply be an allergy… or possibly even tiredness. Here’s what it could mean…

Bloodshot eyes due to allergies

English Bulldog eye allergies can typically be recognized by not just red bloodshot eyes, but also a clear discharge with no discoloration.

An allergy can develop very quickly and could be caused by something as simple as getting dust, dust mites, pollen, or even mold in their eyes.

There are two types of allergies that can result in bloodshot eyes:

• Airborne allergies: think of things such as grass, dust, pollen, and other small particles that can get into your English Bulldog’s eye in the wind.
• Contact allergies: these can occur just by touch alone. Some English Bulldogs can be allergic to something as simple as a food bowl, fabric conditioner in their bedding, or even a favorite toy.

If it is an allergy it’s very likely that both eyes will be bloodshot at the same time, rather than cherry eye which can be isolated to just one eye.

Other English Bulldog eye problems

Aside from your English Bulldog having red and bloodshot eyes, there are other eye and visual problems this breed can suffer from. Other eye problems include:

• Eye inflammation and irritation: as well as allergies, English Bulldogs can also develop eye problems with sleep dust. It can be treated with an eye ointment if you see any swelling or excessive blinking combined with an obvious sign of debris.
• Eyelash abnormalities: these can include trichiasis, distichiasis, and ectopic cilia. It means the eyelashes can either become in-grown, grow from an abnormal place on the eyelid, and even come up through the eyelid’s inside. This can damage your English Bulldog’s eyes, the cornea particularly.
• Entropion: entropion is another common English Bulldog eye problem, occurring when eyelid hairs connect and rub the cornea. It’s irritating to the eye and the eyelid margin will roll out. It’s common with English Bulldog puppies, and many will actually grow out of it.
• Corneal abrasions and ulcerations: corneal ulcers often occur with English Bulldogs and other brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds who have bulging eyes. An ulcer or abrasion can be the next stage after dry eye.
• Pigmentary keratitis: if you see a brown/black color across the surface of your English Bulldog’s eye then it’s most likely a case of pigmentary keratitis. This is where pigmented melanin granules are deposited into the eye and is very common with brachycephalic dog breeds.

English Bulldog cherry eye treatment

There are two ways in which a vet will treat cherry eye in a dog.

1. Medical management: vets will prescribe a steroid ointment eye drop that encourages your English Bulldog’s red eye gland to return back to its natural position. If the treatment is unsuccessful then the next stage would be surgery. They might also recommend that the eye is massaged.
2. Surgical procedure: vets will prefer to not remove the red eye gland if at all possible, but this can happen in more serious cases. Your vet could recommend a procedure to re-position the gland into the conjunctiva instead.

Whilst I always recommend you talk with your vet as soon as you see any red in your English Bulldog’s eyes, some owners have successfully treated their dogs themselves… if it’s something like an allergy or a dry eye problem.

Here are some suggestions I found online for treating English Bulldogs with red eyes.

Home remedies

Okay, so you’ve taken a closer look at your English Bulldog’s red eyes and you’re pretty sure it’s either an allergy or dry eye. The question becomes, what can you do for your dog?

It turns out, plenty. Here are some home remedies and treatment methods you can try for your poor English Bulldog.

1. Herbs

Several herbs and herbal products could alleviate the redness of the dog’s eyes as well as any discomfort they may be in. The first of these is eyebright.

Eyebright is an herb (yes, that’s the real name) that you can use to make a natural eye drop that should treat your English Bulldog’s eyes. You only need a small quantity of eyebright, about an ounce. Then, steep it in boiling water. At the very least, keep the herb in the water for 60 minutes, but it’s better if you can do it overnight.

Then, the next morning, apply the drops to your English Bulldog’s eyes. Do this up to four times in a day if your dog really needs it.

Besides eyebright, marigold is another herb to have. It contains zeaxanthin, a type of carotenoid. Astaxanthin, an algae, is one to use as well, as it’s packed with stuff that’s good for eyes, such as phytonutrients and antioxidants.

2. Change your English Bulldog’s diet

Yes, what your pup eats can play a role in the health of their peepers. Stop buying the packaged dog kibble and incorporate a diet that includes sardines, kale, broccoli, blueberries, pumpkin, and carrots.

Why those foods in particular?

Well, sardines have omega oils for eye health, kale and broccoli contains phytonutrients, and blueberries antioxidants. Orange veggies such as pumpkin and carrots are loaded with carotenoids.

3. Keep your English Bulldog’s eye clean

This is a good one to do even if your English Bulldog’s eyes aren’t red. You only need gauze or a cotton cloth and some warm water to clean your dog’s eye area.

If you do use a gauze, make sure it’s at least 4×4. Also, don’t reuse them. In lieu of water, you can always try saline solution, but make sure it’s warm.

As you clean, begin in the center, moving towards the part of your English Bulldog’s eye that’s nearest their snout. Make sure you go extremely slowly and carefully so you don’t accidentally hurt your dog.

When to call a vet

You may opt to start with some home remedies if you see your English Bulldog has red eyes. You can also skip that and go straight to the vet if you’re very concerned.

To be honest, I would always consult with a vet first, and don’t place too much faith in home-based remedies.

If your English Bulldog has never exhibited red eyes before, then a vet appointment is undoubtedly in order. You want to make sure this symptom isn’t part of a larger, possibly more serious issue.

There are several signs that your dog needs professional treatment. If your English Bulldog seems averse to you cleaning their eyes, that’s a pretty big indicator.

Other signs include your English Bulldog keeping their eyes closed more than open, crying out, trying to rub at the eye with their paw, or having an illness or fever that precedes the eye redness.

Your vet will start with a checkup, then do some testing to confirm the diagnosis of your English Bulldog’s red eyes.

If it’s a case of dry eye, then they’ll likely prescribe you a medication for the dog. This can simulate tears while triggering your English Bulldog’s tear ducts to make their own natural tears.

What about cherry eye?

That’s treatable by a veterinarian as well. Eye drops can eliminate this condition if your English Bulldog has never had cherry eye before.

In the most serious cases, such as when the tear ducts pop up and move, your vet can push the tear duct where it should be with sutures.

If that doesn’t work, then they’ll try to reposition the gland or take the tear duct out entirely. Your English Bulldog would need a recurring prescription for eyedrops to maintain eye moisture from that point forward. Otherwise, they’ll get dry eye.

Handy Hint: All dogs will occasionally get a hard crust in their eyes. A lot of the time, you can soften your dog’s eye boogers at home and then work to clean them safely.

Conclusion

You wake up ready to greet the day and go about your normal routine, but then you notice there’s something wrong with your precious English Bulldog’s eyes. They look very red when they’re usually not.

Has your English Bulldog had some sort of allergic reaction? Should be you concerned? Why does your English Bulldog have red eyes?

If your English Bulldog has red eyes, you shouldn’t write this off as something normal. It could be that the dog has tear gland inflammation, also known as cherry eye. With this, the tear ducts become large and swollen.

Dry eye, where natural tear production ceases and the eyes lose lubrication, can also cause reddened, painful eyes.

While lots of home remedies exist to treat a variety of canine eye conditions, sometimes these don’t quite do the trick.

Rather than let your English Bulldog suffer in agony, take them to a vet if the remedies don’t treat the red eye in a few days. Your vet can prescribe you drops and other medications that will have your English Bulldog’s eyes looking healthy and normal again in no time.

You might also like…

• A list of foods that are bad for English Bulldogs
• Here’s why your English Bully keeps being sick
• Find out if your English Bully love you

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/english-bulldog-dog-mammal-cute-3034226/

The post Why Does My English Bulldog Have Red Eyes? (Or Bloodshot Eyes) appeared first on DoggySaurus.

The simplest way to stop your English Bulldog snoring is to move them. Everybody knows this, so I won’t go into too much detail on this one; in truth, it only stops the snoring for a short time anyway before they start again!

If you do want some peace and quiet with the best ways to stop your English Bulldog snoring without having to resort to invasive and painful surgery, read on!

How to stop my English Bulldog snoring at night

Before getting into the detail on the English Bulldog snoring problem, just a very quick primer: English Bulldogs can’t help snoring. As a brachycephalic breed and how they have been bred, they will snore more than most breeds.

And if you think it’s bad now, wait until your English Bulldog gets older. With old age comes even more snoring as the muscles in their airways weaken and they start putting the pounds on – all of which leads to more snores when combined with those loveable flat faces and narrow nostrils.

There is a surgical solution called stenotic nares surgery which will open up your English Bulldog’s nostrils wider. However, unless completely medical necessary, you might want to look as non-surgical snoring remedies first.

Speaking of which, the first few items here on how to stop your English Bulldog snoring could help.

19 English Bulldog snoring remedies

1. Prop them on a pillow when sleeping

When English Bulldogs sleep, they can restrict their airways due to the angle they lie at. You could prevent snoring by having them propped up against a pillow with their head raised up.

2. Give them a bed with raised up sides

If you want to give your English Bulldog an extra element of luxury, you can still use the head prop up method, but with a brand-new bed instead.

You can buy ones to fit English Bulldogs that come with raised sides or built-in pillows – here’s one on Amazon.

3. Give them a rounder bed

Another bed option would be a round and circular bed (see on Amazon).

According to my vet, if you can encourage your English Bulldog to curl up when asleep, it can take the pressure off their oesophagus, giving more room for air to come in and out when breathing.

4. Keep their air fresh and circulating

An English Bulldog that sleeps in a hot and stuffy room will be an English Bulldog that snores. It will block their nasal passages so make sure there’s fresh air circulating around, without of course making it too cold.

5. Don’t expose them to second-hand smoke

Dogs are affected by cigarette smoke, and smoky environments are one of the leading causes of English Bulldog snoring. Smoke increases phlegm in their throat, and further constricts their air passages… it can also lead to canine heart disease according to VetStreet.com.

6. Increase air moisture with a humidifier

Continuing on with the theme of air quality, if it’s too dry it will irritate your English Bulldog’s throat and nose – it’s a big issue in hotter climates for small dogs like this.

But you can help by using a humidifier (view on Amazon) that will put moisture into the air, thus reducing snoring.

7. Ask the vet to perform an allergy check

Your English Bulldog’s snoring could be allergy related. Just like us, dogs can be allergic to pollen and dust, and it will make their snoring worse. I also recommend keeping them away from busy roads, as exhausts can cause similar issues – then ask your vet to test them for allergies.

8. Keep their bed linen clean

To help with this, keep their bed and linen clean. You don’t need to be constantly washing it, you could perhaps vacuum the bed every two days, and do a full machine wash every two weeks to remove any potential allergens.

9. Keep their weight in check

Excess weight leads to snoring as it puts additional flesh and pressure on the pharynx or soft palate. If your English Bulldog is overweight it could be that just by getting their weight down to a respectable level with dieting you help resolve their snoring problem.

Handy Hint: If you think you could be feeding your English Bulldog too much, please read this guide which explains exactly how much they should eat each day to remain a healthy weight.

10. Keep them active

As well as making changes to your English Bulldog’s diet, make sure you keep them regularly exercised. They don’t need a lot, just a couple of short walks a day or 30 minutes of total activity should be enough. Here’s a guide to walking your English Bulldog with some recommended distances and times.

11. Check if it’s a side effect of medication

If your English Bulldog is on a daily medicine routine, then the drugs might possibly be the root cause of the snoring problem. Some dog medicines such as antihistamines, muscle relaxants, pain killers, and sedatives are known to contain elements that relax throat muscles and create snore vibrations.

12. Check for blockages airway blockages

If your English Bulldog has suddenly started snoring, then check their throat and nasal passages for blockages. Something as simple as blades of grass in the throat or a small obstruction in a nostril can create snores – as well as more serious health conditions such as tumors!

13. Check for signs of infection in their mouth or nose

It could be something else altogether blocking how they breathe. Some English Bulldogs can develop allergies, colds, and infections in their airways – if the snoring is partnered with a runny nose and sneezes then get to the vet for a check-up.

14. Check their teeth for abscesses

A dental problem can also cause snoring, so regularly take a look at your English Bulldog’s teeth and gums. Decay and abscesses can block air flow leading to significant breathing issues.

15. Ask your vet to check for other possibilities

I’ve detailed some of the more common illnesses and ailments that can cause English Bulldog snoring problems, but it’s not an exhaustive list by any means – here are all of those again plus some more possibilities:

• Allergic reactions
• Blocked airways
• Brachycephalic syndrome
• Cold or flu
• Dental problems
• Fungal infections
• Obesity
• Tumors

If you believe your English Bulldog has a health problem that could be snoring related, don’t take any chances and book a vet appointment.

Handy Hint: If snoring is combined with a runny nose then you might want to check these possible explanations before calling a vet.

16. Don’t use snoring remedies for humans

Don’t ever give your English Bulldog a snoring remedy that has been designed for human consumption, and this includes popular homeopathic treatments. It can be dangerous, with the American Veterinary Medical Association saying this on the matter:

“Given that all medicine involves balancing risks against benefits, the case against homeopathy seems clear. There is a conspicuous absence of evidence of benefits despite centuries of use and investigation. And there are real risks, not to mention ethical concerns, associated with substituting an ineffective therapy for truly beneficial medical care. The balance seems unquestionably weighted against treating homeopathy as a legitimate veterinary therapy.”

17. Change the position they sleep in

At the beginning, I kind of promised I would not give the obvious option, but’s it still the most popular and quickest English Bulldog snoring solution you can try, albeit a temporary fix. All you do is move your English Bulldog, and definitely don’t let them lie on their back – this is when the snoring will be at its worst!

18. Stop them sleeping in your bedroom

This won’t stop your English Bulldog from snoring, but it will mean you can finally get a good night’s sleep away from the noise. If you can’t bear to have your English Bulldog sleep in a different room to you, the only other option I suggest is you wear earplugs.

19. Consider a surgical solution

As a last report you could consider English Bulldog snoring surgery. It’s often recommended when English Bulldog’s nostrils and airways are so constricted that it’s affecting their health and quality of life. Vets will suggest this surgery when your English Bulldog has episodes of breathing difficulty.

Whilst it will be painful in the short-term, it’s a great solution where your English Bulldog is struggling with day to day life due to restricted airways.

The success rate of the stenotic nares surgery is also said to be very good, with up tp 75% of dogs reporting a reduction in how severe their snoring was (see the report).

English Bulldog snoring surgery

I hope that the tips I gave on how to get an English Bulldog to stop snoring have helped. If you have tried them all and still have no luck, then vets might consider surgery.

However, surgery won’t be permitted just to stop snoring, but only when your English Bulldog has a bigger breathing issue that needs fixing.

Now you’ve read all the tips on how to get an English Bulldog to stop snoring, I wanted to explain the last one in a bit more detail; the surgical solution and remedy.

The surgical option is performed by correcting your English Bulldog’s stenotic nares. This is the medical terminology for narrowed nostrils. English Bulldogs with stenotic nares cannot get as much air through their nose, meaning lots of snoring, but more drastically, breathing issues.

The surgery involves enlarging your English Bulldog’s nostrils by cutting flesh and excess tissue out to create wider passages whilst reducing the size of their elongated palates.

Stenotic nares surgery has a high success rate and is very routine with your English Bulldog recovering within 7 days.

How much English Bulldog snoring surgery costs?

English Bulldog snoring surgery costs will depend on the severity of the breathing problems, the surgical method used, and even where in the country you are. In the USA, you might have to pay anywhere between $500 and $1,500.

The two types of snoring surgery that could be performed include:

• Soft palate resection: $500 to $1,500
• Stenotic nares resection: $250 to $1,000

Why do English Bulldogs snore so much?

But why do English Bulldogs snore so much in the first place?

It’s all due to their brachycephalic nature and the popularity of this breed to be bred with flatter and flatter faces.

I will leave the last word to a professional vet based in Los Angeles; here’s what Dr Jeff Werber has to say on the matter.

“As we breed dogs to have shorter snouts, the soft palette in the back of their throat doesn’t change, and that can be a problem. A lot of factors can go into your dog’s snoring, especially when they’re a breed with a smaller snout. How your dog’s body is positioned when sleeping, the shape of the dog’s neck, and the length of its nose are all factors that can influence a dog’s breathing. It can all contribute to the snoring”

English Bulldogs have all of these characteristics so will always have snoring problems. Whether we should be breeding them or not is a question that has an ethical angle, and one I will probably cover another day.

Conclusion

To be honest, you probably won’t be able to get your English Bulldog to completely stop snoring. Their breed has been designed in such a way that it is always bound to be a side effect of their genetics. Unfortunate, but true.

Whilst I have described the surgical solution as English Bulldog snoring surgery, it’s not really a name that it should be described as, as the surgery is more focussed on helping your English Bulldog breathe properly.

Unless your English Bulldog’s life is compromised, you should not opt for surgery, but instead help stop them snoring by just taking care of them better – and that’s often achieved by just giving them a more comfortable way of sleeping!

You might also like…

If you love English Bulldogs and want to give yours the best quality of life possible, then you might also be interested in these other English Bulldog-related blog posts:

• How to tell if your English Bully is truly happy and loves you
• The reasons why English Bullies have such wrinkly skin

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/animals-british-bulldog-cute-dog-5141065/

The post How to Stop an English Bulldog Snoring: 19 Ways to Remedy the Snore Problem appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Some limping happens after sleeping and it will gradually wear off. With some limping you won’t even think your English Bulldog is in pain.

When the limping doesn’t quickly clear up within minutes but instead lasts for a few days, it’s could be attributed to a soft tissue injury. It could be something like a sprain in your English Bulldog’s leg joints and tendons and which might clear up inside of week when combined with vet-prescribed pain killers.

Whatever the scenario though, if you see your English Bulldog limping it’s worrying enough to want to know more and that’s what this guide is all about.

Why? Because there will be times when your English Bulldog’s limping is something far more serious than just a strain. No matter what the situation, you should always call your own vet for professional advice if your English Bulldog suddenly starts limping.

Why is my English Bulldog limping?

Some of the more common reasons why your English Bulldog has started limping will be strains to a tendon, ligament, or muscle – this is the soft tissue injury I referred to earlier and will happen after your English Bulldog has been exerting himself; the limping will start suddenly afterwards.

Most vets can quickly diagnose this type of injury and will probably give you some canine pain killers to help alleviate your English Bulldog’s discomfort.

Given time to recuperate, rest, and stop jumping and running, your English Bulldog should be better in just a few days. That means no walkies or indoor play!

If you haven’t yet called your own vet, here are some checks you can make which might indicate why your English Bulldog is limping:

• Check for broken toe and claw nails.
• Check there is no visible bleeding or cuts on the paw.
• Check for any splinters or foreign objects in the paw.
• Check to see if your English Bulldog is lethargic and not eating.
• Check for any visible signs of swelling.

When you call your vet, make a note of what you see, if anything.

Handy Hint: I’ve published all the signs you look for to check that your English Bulldog is happy and loves you!

When you should call a vet about your limping English Bulldog

If there’s nothing obvious around the paw or leg, and you still don’t know why your English Bulldog is limping, then call your vet and book an appointment in.

This is particular important if your English Bulldog wakes up from sleeping with a limp and shows no sign of the limp going inside of 30 minutes. Anything longer than and I would suggest it’s not a limp due to the way they have slept, but instead something different.

Here’s a list of reasons given by vets for why your English Bulldog has a limping back leg or starts limping on the front paws only.

English Bulldog limping back leg: common causes

From my own research and talking to a vet friend of mine, here are the most common causes of limping. Keep scrolling down for the more serious English Bulldog lameness symptoms.

• Over-exertion: Your English Bulldog could be limping after some particularly excessive exercise. English Bulldogs get worn out very easily and will be exhausted after heavy exercise of just a few minutes. The limping could be due to utter exhaustion so give them water and time to recover.
• Injured claws: Your English Bulldog might have broken a claw. This injury can be extremely painful, especially if the tear in the claw gets to the nerve ending.
• Wound to the paw or insect sting: Your English Bulldog might have a splinter in his paw making him limp. It could be an open wound, a stone, chewing gum, or even a insect bite or sting so do a thorough check.
• Strain or muscle injury: Your English Bulldog might have strained a leg, joint, or muscle whilst playing or even just going about his day to day business.

English Bulldog limping on back leg: more serious conditions

One would hope that your English Bulldog’s limping back or front legs will quickly get better themselves. But there are more serious health conditions that limping legs are sometimes attributed to.

• Breaks, fractures, and dislocations: English Bulldogs are prone to leg injuries due to their genetics and can easily hurt themselves when active.
• Torn ligaments: Ligament damage will occur after your English Bulldog twists and jumps. It can be very painful but can be treated easily by a vet.
• Hip or elbow dysplasia: English Bulldogs are prone to these health conditions, being common with brachycephalic breeds. The hip dysplasia can occur in their back leg with elbow dysplasia in the front legs and paws.
• Luxating patella: This is the medical for a kneecap dislocation. It’s an injury common in English Bulldogs and will often manifest itself at first with a pronounced limp. It occurs on the back legs and you will notice your English Bulldog skipping or limping in pain.
• Inflammatory disease: Also known as panosteitis, English Bulldog puppies will often have this inflammation on their leg bones. You might see your English Bulldog shifting from leg to leg to balance the weight with this lameness condition.
• Bone cancer: Canine bone cancer tends to be more of a big dog breed condition but isn’t unheard of in smaller dogs like English Bulldogs. Your vet can check for it with a simple blood test.
• ACL injuries: ACL tears often affect the back legs and are often first noticed when your English Bulldog starts to lift up a leg. It can be fixed with an operation surgery, and your English Bulldog might even be back and walking inside of 60 days.
• Arthritis: This condition is most common in older English Bulldogs, where limping is a gradual thing as the joints become more swollen over time. Vets can prescribe therapy and medication for the pain.
• Lyme’s disease: This limping cause is one of the most difficult to diagnose as your English Bulldog won’t suddenly start limping, but instead will limp many months after being exposed to Lyme’s. It can be treated with antibiotics.
• Valley fever: This is a fungal disease found in the United States and can either make an English Bulldog puppy limp, or an older dog. It is not related to how old your dog is.
• Neurological disorders: This will often occur after damage to the spine where a disc will touch against the nerves, leading to potential lameness in your English Bulldog.

English Bulldog limping on front leg or paws

Many of the reasons I have already listed for English Bulldog lameness and limping will happen with the back and front legs. But there are some conditions which will only cause limps to one of the other.

For example; elbow dysplasia (front legs) or hip dysplasia (rear legs).

• Elbow dysplasia (front leg limping): This is very common in English Bulldogs and happens due to bone abnormalities in the elbow joints on the front legs. It happens due to cartilage fusing to the bone resulting in an elbow joint being pushed out of place. It will be very painful to your English Bulldog, with obvious swelling.
• Hip dysplasia (rear leg limping): This happens when your English Bulldog’s hip joints haven’t formed correctly when they were a puppy. Your English Bulldog probably won’t be able to walk upstairs, jump up, and will probably walk with what looks like a little bunny hop to deal with the pain.

Handy Hint: To keep your Bully free from injury you should not walk them too much. Here are guidelines for daily exercise limits.

How vets diagnose lameness and limping

Once you have booked an appointment in with your vet, they will do a manual check of your English Bulldog using just their hands. They will press and pull to see what the cause could be. The check will go something like this:

• Examine the paws for obvious signs of injury.
• Pull the legs stretched out to check for a reaction.
• Do gentle massage on all four legs.
• Lightly apply pressure to the spine to see if the English Bulldog puts up resistance. 

If the manual checks don’t offer a conclusion on why your English Bulldog limps, there could be some more in-depth diagnosis test such as:

• Blood test.
• X-ray.
• Fluoroscopy.
• MRI scan.

How to stop your English Bulldog from getting leg injuries

A lot of limping can be avoided, so here are a few tips on how to avoid those injuries in the first place.

• Don’t let them walk on sharp, uneven, or surfaces covered in debris.
• Don’t let them walk on hot surfaces or surfaces that are too cold.
• Don’t overwork and over-exercise your English Bulldog, particularly in hot weather.
• Don’t let your English Bulldog jump up too high as it can jar their spine.

Conclusion

English Bulldogs are prone to limping injuries, some more serious than others. If you English Bulldog is limping on a paw or arching their back and you cannot find any obvious reason for doing so, consult your vet. 

Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a vet, and this isn’t intended to replace professional advice on what to do if your English Bulldog is limping on his back leg or front paws. Instead it’s an overview of what I have learned as a dog owner when my own was limping, plus what vets have told me. If you are at all concerned, please call your own vet.

You might also like…

Here are some more health-related English Bulldog articles that all owners of this breed should be aware of.

• Why your English Bully has got red eyes all of a sudden
• Here’s why English Bulldogs are born with wrinkles
• Here’s why English Bullies have the tails or lack of tails they do! 

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-english-bulldog-bulldog-4196554/

The post English Bulldog Limping: Back & Front Legs: Quick Diagnosis or Lameness? appeared first on DoggySaurus.

But whatever the age of your dog, if your English Bulldog throws up it can be worrying. It could be down to something as simple as eating too fast, but in some cases an English Bulldog that vomits up sick all the time could signal a serious health problem.

I am not a vet, but I am a dog owner who has a lot of experience with vomit. Nice, I am sure you would agree! The bottom line is; if you are worried then please do consult with your vet. But before you do that, here’s what I personally know about the reasons why your English Bulldog throws up, and what the different types of vomit and sick could mean.

Why your English Bulldog is vomiting and puking

There are multiple types of vomits and regurgitations that can affect English Bulldogs. I’ve consulted with my own vet and read professional forums to give you an idea of what they could all mean, and what action you should take.

Why does my English Bulldog throw up white foam?

The reasons your English Bulldog keeps throwing up white foam so much are very varied. In the majority of cases it won’t anything serious, but for peace of mind seek professional advice.

The first thing you need to do is actually examine what has been throw up by your English Bulldog. It might not actually be vomit but could instead be them clearing their airways. English Bulldogs are brachycephalic and their airways can become blocked. It could actually be some saliva that they need to regurgitate.

Vomiting and regurgitating are two different things, and I will explain the differences at the end of this article. But for simplicities sake, I am going to address both things as the same thing; throwing up.

Causes of white foam vomit

1. Indigestion and stomach upset

Your English Bulldog could be throwing up white foam just because they have an upset tummy. The most common reason is gastroenteritis where they have an empty stomach and then puke up a white foam vomit.

This condition is also known as bilious vomiting syndrome. The bile produced can not only be white but also have a yellow color. Sometimes it’s smelly too.

2. Puking up something they ate 

English Bulldogs love to put anything in their mouth they can get their teeth around, particularly during the teething phase. It might be that they ate something their stomach disagrees with such as grass.

If your English Bulldog hasn’t eaten in a while, they won’t have any food to puke up, so the foreign objects they ingested can get puked back up as a white foamy or slimy material.

3. Kennel cough

One of the more common reasons English Bulldog throw up white foam will be kennel cough. It’s not actually vomiting but instead is where your English Bulldog coughs so hard they expel white foam out of their mouths.

Kennel cough can be contracted when your English Bulldog has been exposed to other dogs, usually in kennels as the name suggests. It is an upper respiratory infection that your vet can treat, typically being treated in a week to 10 days.

4. Bloat

Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) is one of the most serious reasons for English Bulldogs puking up white foam and slime. They can become sick very quickly and will need to be seen by a vet quickly.

It occurs when their stomach becomes twisted after expanding. The stomach can expand when filled with food, fluid, or gas which then puts pressure on their internal organs. If not treated quickly it can stop blood flowing to your English Bulldog’s heart… so it is potentially fatal.

White foam will be vomited up when the nothing can get in or out of the English Bulldog’s stomach. It’s more common in elderly dogs.

You can reduce the chances of bloat and white foam vomit by making sure your English Bulldog doesn’t over exercise after eating. Some vets recommend you wait a good 30 minutes after their meal, even with light walks.

5. Pancreatitis

Another serious health condition that results in your English Bulldog throwing up white foam is pancreatitis. This is an inflammation of the pancreas, which is an organ that aids digestion of food.

Your vet will need to diagnose this condition, but other signs to look out for include your English Bulldog hunching his back up, being in obvious pain around their abdomen, having diarrhoea, not eating properly, being listless, and becoming dehydrated due to not drinking enough.

6. Kidney disease

Another serious possibility related to white foam vomit can be kidney disease. Other symptoms to look out for can include increased urination or pooping the house when your English Bulldog was previously house-trained.

White foam puking can be an early indicator of the disease. However, with early treatment, English Bulldogs can go on to have a good life with a reduced chance of any further complications.

7. Parvovirus

Parvovirus can be contracted through exposure to other dogs, in particular contact with feces. It’s a viral infection that will become apparent within a week of contraction, with white foam vomiting and blood in diarrhoea.

It is a fatal disease but should be rare as long as your English Bulldog has had the correct vaccinations as a puppy. Parvovirus should only be contracted by an unvaccinated English Bulldog so it’s an unlikely cause of throwing up white foam for responsible dog owners.

8. Rabies

Another unlikely reason for white slimy foam can be rabies. It’s going to be very rare in countries such as the UK and United States, but it still a possibility.

Dogs with rabies will foam at the mouth. 

Why does my English Bulldog throw up yellow foam?

Yellow foam sick can also relate to many of the possibilities I’ve already listed under the white foam section, but it can sometimes differ if it’s a yellow bile and liquid.

An English Bulldog that throws up yellow liquid and bile could have:

• Bilious vomiting (the most likely): in simple terms, a stomach upset.
• Bowel problems: an irritation in the GI tract.
• Pancreatic problems: an inflammation of the pancreas.
• Intestinal blockage: your English Bulldog’s meal can’t get to the stomach.
• Stomach ulcers: can also result in weight loss, fever, and pain.
• Liver problems: your English Bulldog may not be able to digest food properly.

Why does my English Bulldog throw up brown liquid?

Brown bile and vomit will often smell like dog poop… and that can actually be what it is in some cases. Puppies, English Bulldogs included like to eat dog poop for a variety of reasons including:

• Seeking out nutrients that aren’t getting their diet.
• Simply due to hunger as gross as that sounds.
• Sometimes for attention knowing it will get a reaction.
• Sometimes due to boredom or stress (for example suffering after coming back from boarding kennels)

Brown vomit won’t always be dog poop though, it could be blood that has become browner inside of the mucus and bile being thrown up. It could result from:

• Blocked intestine.
• Bleeding ulcers.
• Something that they ate.
• Possible gum disease or tumors where the brown color signifies bleeding.

Why does my English Bulldog throw up clear liquid?

A clear and foamy slime or foam that doesn’t include any undigested food could be related to a range of medical issues. If there’s no food in the clear liquid, it probably isn’t due to anything your English Bulldog has eaten.

Doctor Jeff Werber, a vet based in Los Angeles, explained to PetMD.com that clear liquid vomit could indicate something other than a reaction to food:

“Fluid means we are looking at some other reason, such as kidney, liver, pancreas, or severe gastritis, where the cause is not food or an irritant. It could also indicate oesophageal reflex which is like our heartburn.”

However, it’s key to not panic if your English Bulldog is throwing up a clear liquid as there could be a far simpler explanation.

On another vet website I read a comment from a professional. They said that dogs who are distressed will often start to drool heavily. That can often be mistaken for vomit when in fact if no food comes up, it’s not actually puke, and could be just excessive drooling. 

Why does my English Bulldog throw up green liquid?

Green bile and vomit shouldn’t be viewed as seriously as some of the other sick colors. For example, dogs love to eat grass and weeds and so anything they throw up will be of a natural green color – sometimes even lime green in appearance.

Here’s a breakdown of what green foam or liquid could mean in your English Bulldog’s vomit.

• Plants or grass: dogs will eat grass to sooth their stomach, clean their insides, make up for a lack of minerals, or due to boredom and anxiety. When the organic material is ingested the chlorophyll in the grass will stain the vomit a green color. If you can see plant-based matter in your English Bulldog’s vomit, it’s not a cause for concern but do try to discourage them eating grass.
• Green bile: green vomit could signal bile being thrown up. Bile is stored in your dog’s gall bladder and is designed to absorb fats and breakdown other nutrients. Green bile can reflux into your English Bulldog’s stomach, but that color also means its fresh. But it might also mean there is something stuck internally, so consult with your vet.

Why does my English Bulldog throw up pink or red foam?

An English Bulldog that throws up pink foam could have a tummy bug. The act of vomiting hard can actually burst some of the smaller blood vessels in your English Bulldog’s stomach, which then dilutes into the vomit and mucus to create a pink tint.

Alternatively, it could be a stomach ulcer. However, as soon as you see any signs of pink sick it almost certainly means there is a degree of blood in their vomit, so should be checked out by a vet as soon as possible.

Small ulcers or damage to the stomach lining can be treated with medicines and your English Bulldog should normally respond very well to treatment in a few days.

Other reasons why your English Bulldog could be sick

Aside from the serious possibilities regarding English Bulldog puking I’ve already detailed, there are some other occasions where your English Bulldog could be sick. I’ve listed those below, giving examples of when your English Bulldog might throw up vomit and why.

You might also like this awesome infographic on the reasons for vomiting.

After exercise or on walks

Imagine for one moment that you ate a huge dinner and then immediately went for a 10-mile run. Can you imagine what would happen? I think we all know…

And it’s the same with English Bulldogs. If they eat heavily and then exercise or over-exert themselves, that food can quickly get puked up.

Handy Hint: Read this helpful guide on when it’s best to walk your dog before or after eating.

I would recommend that you don’t walk your English Bulldog for at least 2 hours after eating. Some vets say that exercise so soon after eating can lead to bloat, torsion, or GDV (gastro dilation-volvulus) all of which can make your English Bulldog throw up.

After the exercise, let your English Bulldog cool down for at least 30 minutes before letting them eat. These two tips should in theory mean your English Bulldog no longer vomits after exercise or walks.

After drinking water

There are a few different reasons why your English Bulldog could be vomiting after drinking water, including:

1. They could have drunk the water too fast which will stimulate the dog’s gag reflex.
2. It could look like water but actually be a mix of gastric juices, saliva, and water.

In the second example, it might be because your English Bulldog hasn’t eaten for a long time, has a digestive blockage, or even one of the more serious conditions listed further up this page.

As with all vomiting, for peace of mind please call your vet if you don’t think it’s related to your English Bulldog drinking too much too quickly.

In the morning or late at night

English Bulldogs that throw up in the morning or late at night will usually do so due to their eating habits. If your dog has gone a long time without eating, when the food hits their stomach it can irritate the bile reflux.

Morning sickness can also be just that; related to pregnancy. Here’s a list of more possible reasons your English Bulldog could be sick in the morning:

• Colitis.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Pancreatitis.
• Pregnancy.
• Reflux gastritis.

After over-eating or eating too fast

Coming back to the quick eating now, and there’s a good reason why your greedy English Bulldog will be sick and puke up;

• They don’t give themselves enough time to chew larger pieces of food.
• They can swallow lots of air which will then be regurgitated back up. 

When on car rides

Just like humans, dogs can suffer with car sickness. Motion sickness isn’t the only reason your English Bulldog pukes in your car though… it could also be due to the stress of not liking car journeys.

If you have a puking English Bulldog in your car, try to introduce them to smaller car journeys at first so they learn there’s nothing to be worried about.

Stress, excessive excitement or anxiety 

I have never met an English Bulldog who doesn’t get excited, especially when it’s feeding time. They still have their competitive pack mentality from puppyhood, so will try and eat their food as fast as possible to stop anybody else getting a look-in.

When dogs eat too fast, they can throw up. The same happens with humans, so it’s not really that surprising.

However, English Bulldogs can also be sick when they get excited outside of mealtimes. This can be due to being stressed and anxious. It’s because their stomach muscles become tense and their bodies react with vomiting. 

When you should call the vet

There are a lot of scary reasons why your English Bulldog throws up in this guide. But I don’t want you to panic, in most of the cases listed here, the slime and bile will just be due to a stomach upset and something your English Bulldog ate.

I am a firm believer in letting the professional decide, so when our dog has vomited, in most cases we’ve called the vet if we can’t see any undigested food in the sick.

Here are some signs that you should definitely call the vet after vomiting:

• Your English Bulldog throws up all the time and vomiting last more than 24 hours.
• Your English Bulldog is in obvious signs of pain or lethargic.
• Your English Bulldog also has blood in their stools.
• Your English Bulldog is projectile vomiting.

Is it vomiting or regurgitation?

I mentioned earlier that these are actually two different things. They can also have very different causes. Here’s a quick explainer:

• Vomiting: this is when materials coated with bile come up from the stomach. Your English Bulldog will start to retch, hunch, lick his lips, and drool. It will probably be a mix of digested food coated in a yellow bile.
• Regurgitation: this is when your English Bulldog throws up undigested food covered in saliva, mucus, and slime. It comes up from the oesophagus or pharynx so won’t have actually reached as far as the stomach.

Conclusion

I hope I’ve given you some insight into why your English Bulldog is vomiting or keeps throwing up his food.

With most English Bulldogs it won’t be an indication of a serious health problem, but I would always err on the side of caution and speak to your vet. I would especially say this if you are wondering why your English Bulldog puppy keeps throwing up – these young pups need a closer eye looking at them at all times.

You might also like…

There are lots of helpful resources on Doggysaurus about this Bulldog breed including:

• How to prevent an English Bully from snoring so much
• Here’s the reason why English Bulldogs have such wrinkly skin
• Ways your English Bulldog shows you love and happiness

Image in the header via https://unsplash.com/photos/WTvYWlObUos

The post Why Does My English Bulldog Throw Up? 8 Reasons + White Foam Vomiting appeared first on DoggySaurus.

A huge part of adapting your puppy to domesticated life is toilet and potty training. You’ll need to teach them to distinguish when and where is and isn’t appropriate to go to the toilet but be aware that each and every puppy is different, and it could take more time than you expect.

You will need lot of patience, positivity and preparation, and there will definitely be bumps along the way, so it is important to not get disheartened at the first hurdle.  Just keep persevering with your new friend and soon, before you know it, they’ll be fully toilet trained and one step closer to feeling at home with you.

How to potty train an English Bulldog puppy

As dog owners ourselves, I remember saying to my wife that having a puppy was like having a baby all over again – it really is that challenging, and you need to adopt a strict potty-training routine – here’s how we did it.

What you will need:

You won’t need much if you want to house train a Bulldog…

• Puppy pads (view on Amazon)
• Crate (view on Amazon)
• Plenty of wipes and toilet tissue

1. Build a potty-training routine

When you first start house training your English Bulldog puppy, you should aim to build a routine around their toileting needs.

Luckily, their bladders and bowels are fairly predictable, as they are determined by not only their sleeping pattern, but also what they eat and drink.

• You should always take your puppy out to the toilet first thing as soon as they wake up – and this goes for whenever they wake up from naps too!
• As well as taking them out first thing in the morning, you should also take them out last thing at night or before you are going to leave them alone for an extended period of time: this is to prevent any accidents overnight or whilst you are gone!
• On top of this, you should also aim to take your puppy out to the toilet every thirty minutes to an hour. If they’re new to training, it is best to start off taking them out every half-hour before building up to a whole hour.

We actually started up a diary of what our puppy had eaten and and how often and what times he tended to urinate and defecate. This really helped us to adapt our routine in accordance with our puppy’s habits.

2. Diet control

As mentioned, food and drink are a huge indication as to when you should take your English Bulldog puppy out for potty breaks, with mealtimes integrating into a puppy’s toileting routine alongside the guidelines set out above.

All puppies have immature diet systems, which means that each meal tends to stimulate their digestive system faster than it would in adult dogs. Generally, puppies need to urinate within fifteen minutes of eating and defecate within half an hour of eating.

The nature of a puppy’s digestive system also means that they can handle less food at once, so it is best to give them three smaller meals three times a day rather than two bigger ones twice a day. Once your dog has finished eating, take away the food bowl until the next scheduled mealtime. This will prevent your puppy from overindulging.

Handy Hint: If you need more guidance on how much to feed your English Bully, please click here where I explain how many cups of food is enough for them, plus a feeding chart.

You should also ensure that the food you give your puppy is of the higher possible quality – this means avoiding dog food with artificial colours and preservatives and ensuring that real meat is the primary ingredient.

3. Confinement and consistency

When your English Bulldog puppy is in the early stages of potty training, it is good to confine to a small area such as a room, a crate or via a lead until you are confident that they can roam the house freely without accidents.

Furthermore, consistency goes hand-in-hand with confinement, and it involves introducing your dogs to select areas to toilet in so that, over time, they will learn to associate going to the toilet with that area of the house or outside.

A good way to ease your dog into this component of toilet training is via puppy pad training or crate training.

4. Puppy pad training

Puppy-pad training is good to introduce the idea of your dog going to the toilet in a select area, but isn’t useful as a long-term solution, because ideally, you’ll want your English Bulldog puppy using the toilet indoors rather than outdoors.

Essentially, the purpose of the puppy pad is not only to reduce mess, but also to get your puppy used to the idea of doing their business in an approved, select area indoors (an area that is easy to clean up!).

Overtime, your puppy will learn to associate the pad itself with areas where it is okay to toilet, and at this stage it is good to move the mad outside to help them adapt.

You can buy puppy pads on Amazon. Here are the ones we used which also have very good Amazon reviews.

5. Crate training

Crates are an effective and approved way of toilet training your English Bulldog puppy at the beginning. It helps to avoid mess, helps you keep a closer eye for signs he needs to go and, most crucially, teaches him to hold it until he is let outside to toilet.

Make sure the crate is large enough for the puppy to stand, turn around and lie down but not large enough for them to defecate and urinate in.

You can find a suitably-sized crate on Amazon which work well with the English Bulldog breed.

6. Learn to pick up on the signs

To avoid accidents in the home, it is good to learn to recognise signs that your English Bulldog needs the toilet. Commons signs include:

• Sniffing the floor.
• Circling around the room.
• Looking restless and anxious.
• Going into an area they have previously toileted in.

If your puppy shows any of these signs, take them out to your chosen toileting spot immediately.

However, if accidents do happen, it is best to stay calm and not get angry at your puppy, as this will just make them fearful and cause them stress, which will actually result in more random accidents.

7. Use a phrase they will learn to understand

One of the most important aspects that goes a long with in potty training your English Bulldog puppy to use a phrase they learn to identify with.

With our own puppy, we would say “go pee pee” as soon as we had taken him outdoors or to his puppy pad. By doing so, he would learn to identify the phrase and location with the action.

After using this tactic long enough, whenever you say the magic words of “go pee pee,” your puppy will immediately know what they need to do.

8. Reward the puppy for a good job

When your English Bulldog puppy has finished his pee or poop in the right place, you should give them a reward or positive reinforcement with praise.

By rewarding good behavior you will start a pattern of success which can lead to far faster house breaking and training.

9. Never scold them

Accidents are going to happen a lot, and whilst this can be frustrating, never shout or scold the puppy.

I remember countless times where I would have just cleaned a pee up from the kitchen floor, only for our puppy to crouch and pee again just seconds later.

Hold your tongue, and don’t react negatively because this can lead to anxiety and fear which will only make them pee or poop more when they aren’t meant to. 

When should I start potty training my English Bulldog puppy?

It is generally recommended to start house training your English Bulldog puppy once they are between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old.

This is a good age to start because whilst it means that your puppy is still young enough to learn life-long skills and have their behavior moulded, at this stage your puppy should have enough control over their bladder and bowels to hold it when necessary – making the potty training process easier for them, and cleaner for you! 

How long does it take to potty train an English Bulldog puppy?

I won’t sugar coat this at all; it could between 4 and 6 months for your puppy to get fully house trained. There are other factors which come into play though, such as individual temperament and environmental factors.

However, it’s not unheard of for it taking up to a year until an English Bulldog puppy is properly potty trained.

For example, you bring your English Bulldog puppy home once it’s over twelve weeks old, it might be the case that it hasn’t been housetrained by their previous owners, and certain behaviours they’ve picked up need to be unlearned.

Be prepared for accidents, but above all, have some wipes and tissue paper on hand all the time as you will get through a lot of this stuff!

Conclusion

Now you know how we advise you housebreak and English Bulldog puppy, I would love to know how you got on. Get in touch via social media and leave a comment.

Similarly, if you have better ideas on how to potty train an English Bulldog puppy, please share those in the community too.

The bottom line is this; do not underestimate to the work that goes into taking care of a new puppy. They’ll need to learn everything – from where to eat, going for walks and how to interact with people – by scratch, so you need to be prepared to put the work in so as to ensure that this incredibly formative period in your puppy’s life is successful.

Toilet training your puppy might feel a bit difficult at times, but with the right attitude, attentiveness and patience, they will learn this life-long skill.

However, if you have any concerns about their ability to toilet train, always contact a vet or a professional trainer. As unlikely as this is, there are some English Bulldogs who will need expert help.

You might also like…

Here are some more English Bulldog guides we’ve published in recent months.

• How to reduce your English Bully’s snoring 
• How do I know if my English Bulldog is happy?
• Why do English Bulldogs have wrinkly faces and skin?

The post How to Potty Train an English Bulldog Puppy in 9 Easy Steps appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Being prepared for all of these changes during their heat cycle will make the whole journey much easier for both of you.

I am going to start off this introduction to the English Bulldog heat cycle with some very quick pointers on how often it happens, how to tell, and how long the heat will last. I will then go into each aspect of the heat cycle in more detail.

How often do English Bulldogs go into heat?

Unless you have spayed your English Bulldog, she will enter her first heat (also known as a season) at around six to eight months of age.

How often do English Bulldogs go into heat? After her first heat at 6 to 8 months, your English Bulldog will then go into twice a year, typically every 6 months. Initially, her cycle may be sporadic, but after the first year or two, you should notice her reproductive cycle settling into a regular pattern.

The average English Bulldog will go into heat once every six months. Occasionally, your Bulldog may show signs of going into heat between these regular cycles, but she will typically be infertile during these additional seasons.

Once an English Bulldog reaches six years of age, her fertility will start to slow down. Fertility will continue to drop off until roughly ten years of age when her ability to reproduce typically ceases altogether.

That said, unless spayed, a female English Bulldog will continue showing signs of going into heat for the rest of her life.

How do you know when your English Bulldog is in heat?

You will know your English Bulldog is in heat due to a range of signs including:

• Swollen vulva.
• Bleeding from the vulva.
• Increased mounting behavior.
• Licking her genital region.
• Obvious nervous or agitated behavior.
• Increased urination.

The English Bulldog heat cycle length in detail

The reproductive cycle for dogs is made up of four distinct stages, each with its own physical and behavioral changes. Read about each stage below, including the English Bulldog heat cycle length and what to expect.

1. The Proestrus stage

Typically, this is the stage that most people are referring to when they say that their English Bulldog is in heat. On average, this initial stage of the reproductive cycle lasts nine days for most dogs, but it can last anywhere up to twenty-seven days in total.

During this stage of the reproductive cycle, estrogen levels will begin to peak in your dog, and the follicles (eggs) will start to develop. Most owners may start to notice male dogs showing an interest, although the female English Bulldog will not reciprocate during this time.

If anything, she may even seem more on edge than usual. It’s not uncommon to see dogs holding their tails close to their body and becoming a little clingier with their owners during this first stage.

Physical signs include a swollen vulva and a blood-tinged discharge. Although many dogs will keep this area clean, English Bulldogs tend to have a hard time reaching this area. To avoid any messes, many owners recommend using diapers (see which they recommend).

You may also notice your dog urinating more often during this stage.

Handy Hint: If you suspect your English Bulldog could be pregnant, then please go through this checklist of pregnancy signs to look out for.

2. The Estrus stage

This second stage can last anywhere from four to twenty-four days in total. On average, however, the Estrus stage only tends to last nine days for most dogs and marks the fertile window in a dog’s reproductive cycle.

Attention from male dogs will continue, but now the female English Bulldog will be receptive to these advances. One of the most common ways your dog may show her availability is by “flagging”, where she lifts her tail up or to one side.

Physical changes will include an enlarged vulva and brown or clear discharge.

With the pheromones she emits during this period, the attention she receives from male dogs will be heightened.

It may also result in aggression from females, which can sometimes escalate into fights. If you have no intention of breeding your Bulldog during this period, it will be necessary to keep her away from other dogs as much as possible during this time.

3. The Diestrus stage

During this stage, your dog will once again lose interest in reciprocating male attention. On average, this third stage of the reproductive cycle will last two months.

Physical changes include her vulva returning to normal, and an absence of any discharge.

There are instances where she may act as though she is pregnant, even if she isn’t. If this happens, you may notice your dog exhibiting the following behaviors:

• Restlessness
• Lethargy
• Reduced appetite
• Nesting (may involve digging bedding or moving it around)
• Nursing (may show increased attachment to a favorite toy)
• Depression
• Aggression

Aside from these behavioral changes, you may also notice several physical changes. Even though a loss of appetite is common during false pregnancies, the female Bulldog may stay at the same weight, owing to fluid retention.

Other physical changes include a swollen belly and enlarged mammary glands that may or may not lactate.

If you suspect that your English Bulldog is pregnant, it would be best to take her to see your vet as soon as possible. Pregnancies in English Bulldogs must be carefully monitored from the onset due to the health risks involved, both for the puppies and the mother.

4. The Anestrus stage

During the fourth and final stage of the reproductive cycle, the body will begin to prepare itself for the next season.

Typically, this final stage lasts an average of four months for most dogs, although for certain breeds it can take a lot longer. During this time, there are typically no physical symptoms or behavioral changes.

Handy Hint: There are some ways that breeders use to make their female dogs come into heat faster.

Can a spayed dog still go into heat?

Generally, no.

The process of spaying a dog means removing all the reproductive organs, including the ovaries and uterus. As this eliminates the possibility of reproducing, it also means that her heat cycle will usually stop as well.

However, if you do notice your dog showing signs of going into heat once spayed, this may be an indication of ovarian remnant syndrome.

If the surgeon misses some of the ovarian tissue during the surgery, this can result in the remaining ovarian tissue still producing estrogen. If this happens, it will continue to trigger your dog’s usual heat cycles.

It can be annoying, since this may only become obvious several months after the initial surgery. However, it is a non-threatening condition, and also relatively easy to remedy.

If you notice that your dog is showing signs of going into heat once spayed, you will need to get your dog booked in to see your vet again. Typically, ovarian remnant syndrome can be treated with a simple operation to remove any remaining ovarian tissue.

Breeding English Bulldogs

When it comes to breeding, English Bulldogs are some of the most challenging, time-consuming, and expensive dogs to breed.

Owing to the many health problems this breed faces, owners must be present through every stage of the pregnancy and delivery. Owners will also need to keep a very close eye on the litter for the initial few weeks of development to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

You can expect a female English Bulldog to have an average litter size of four puppies. Although it may be possible for an English Bulldog to give birth naturally, most experts strongly advise against this owing to the risks involved.

Handy Hint: If you are thinking about getting an English Bulldog puppy, please read my guide to what questions you need to ask the breeder, and what to look out for.

As a result of this, most English Bulldogs will give birth via C-section. The cost of this, as well as the costs involved with the regular veterinary visits you will need to make, can cost anywhere from £1,000 to £6,000 in total.

Why it’s essential to use C-section with English Bulldogs

Although it may be tempting to try and reduce the cost of breeding by opting for a natural birth, most experts advise against this.

The health risks involved with a natural delivery for this breed makes it a dangerous option, not just for the mother, but for the puppies as well. Some of the most significant risks include:

The size of the puppies

English Bulldogs have been bred to have large heads, broad shoulders, and narrow hips. Owing to the puppy’s large head and stout shoulders, it often can’t pass through the mother’s narrow pelvis.

Overheat and stress

As the English Bulldog is a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, owners must be cautious of any over-exertion. Owing to how these dogs have been bred, they have a harder time breathing and are more prone to heat exhaustion as a result.

In light of this, it’s important to note that C-sections will help to reduce the intense stress of delivering puppies for the mother.

Dystocia

Canine dystocia is an umbrella term used to describe any birth difficulties faced during labor and the delivery of puppies. Typically, the most common birth difficulties faced by English Bulldogs include:

• Small pelvis: This occurs where the mother’s pelvis is too narrow to deliver puppies naturally.
• Fetus position: Where a fetus is abnormally positioned in the womb, this can also cause complications.

Anasarca puppies

Also known as Bulldog Water Puppies, this is, unfortunately, a very common condition faced by newly born English Bulldog pups.

Water Puppy Syndrome is a potentially fatal condition that can be found in most flat-faced breeds. You can read more about it on WagWalking.com.

Puppies born with this condition suffer from an excessive accumulation of fluid in the organs, body tissues, and cavities.

As a result of this, Bulldog Water Puppies can often be two-to-four times as big as a healthy puppy. They appear swollen, especially in the face, where the eyes and nose can appear sunken.

Unfortunately, most puppies born with Water Puppy Syndrome will pass away immediately after delivery, or they will be stillborn.

If they survive, they will typically be afflicted with a range of health conditions. Issues such as cleft palates and vertebral column defects are not uncommon.

If even one in the litter has this condition, they will often be too big to deliver naturally. As a result, an Anasarca puppy has the potential to block up the delivery passage, and a C-section will be necessary.

How to prepare for your Bulldog being in heat

Now you know how long and how often your English Bulldog will be heat, it’s time to get prepared. By doing so, you can guard against your girl getting pregnant unexpectedly, leaving messy blood spots on the floor, and even possible changes to behavior including aggression.

Here’s how you get prepared using some inspiration I found on Chewy.com.

1. Track her heat cycles

On the day your English Bulldog starts her heat cycle, place a note on your calendar. I’d use your phone’s calendar as you can record day 1, and then put a reminder in that it could come again in 6 months’ time.

Set the reminder up a week before the 6-month point, as that gives you time to prepare again.

2. Buy dog diapers

A dog in heat will leave blood spots and mess on her bedding and the floor. You can mitigate this by using specialist dog diapers. I did some research into what the best ones are for this breed, and you can see those listed on my English Bulldog Heat Diapers page.

If you don’t want to spend this money you can use human baby diapers but will need to cut a hole out of the back of them for the tail to come through.

3. Think about security

Some dogs will try to escape during their heat cycle and can show aggression. If this sounds like your English Bully, think about keeping her secured using door gates, or just being more vigilant than usual – perhaps an off-leash walk isn’t a good idea during this period!

Conclusion

My wife and I recently looked after a female English Bulldog who came over to play with our Frenchie, Claude. The female hasn’t been spayed yet, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she started to show signs of going into her first ever heat cycle very soon – she’s 7 months old.

When that happens, our friend will need to be prepared, as the English Bulldog heat cycle can be quite a shock if you’ve never owned a female dog before.

I’ve told them to be prepared for some changes to her personality!

The post English Bulldog Heat Cycle: How Many Times a Year & Signs appeared first on DoggySaurus.

English Bulldogs particularly aren’t the most expressive breed, with their large amounts of wrinkles on their face making it harder for them to look anything other than a bit grumpy.

However, as many owners will attest, English Bulldogs are big softies who have their own ways of showing their affection towards their favourite person – they also have their own unique ways of showing you they are happy.

In this guide I am going to explain what the tell-tale signs are that show your English Bulldog is happy, plus some other signals they can give to show they love you unconditionally.

How do I know if my English Bulldog is happy?

There are numerous ways that English Bulldogs can show us how they are feeling, through their body language, the way they act and even their physical health.

Each individual dog has their own personality and quirks that you will learn to read very well, but here are ten common signs that most dogs use to show their happiness:

1. Smiling face

A ‘smiling face’ in a dog means that they have their mouth open, with a few teeth being visible but without being bared. They will have happy, large and round eyes, with a relaxed brow and their tongue may also be hanging loosely out of their mouth, the classic sign of a happy dog.

English Bulldogs that are unhappy or are feeling stressed and depressed will usually keep their mouth closed, as well as licking their lips occasionally, which can be a sign of anxiety. If you have noticed that your dog is looking stressed or unhappy, reassure them or remove them from the stressful environment before it causes them any continued distress.

2. Bottom and tail wagging

A wagging tail is the traditional sign of a happy English Bulldog, with their tail raised high and waving around when around you or other dogs.

However, because of their short tails, Bulldogs often find it hard to wag their tails very much, but they will waggle their bottoms with just as much gusto (here are what the classic English Bulldog tails will look like).

An unhappy or depressed English Bulldog will either have their tail down, without any wagging, or will put it between their legs. This is a sign of submission and fear, and if your dog is doing this it is best to remove them from the situation or separate them from the dog they are responding to.

3. Puppy dog eyes

When your English dog looks at you with loving eyes, they will have a relaxed expression and a smooth brow, with unhappy or aggressive dogs narrowing their eyes. When they do this, it means the love you and are happy to show it!

English Bulldogs also raise their eyebrows to make their eyes look bigger, which they have learned triggers us to be more affectionate to them. This is because of evolutionary nurturing responses that responds to things that look more like infant children.

4. Relaxed smile, ears and body

Along with a smiling mouth, a happy English Bulldog’s expression will also come with flopped ears and a relaxed body posture.

Ears are always a good judgement of how your English Bulldog is feeling, with unhappy or scared dogs having their ears flattened back and perked up ears being a sign that they are listening out and aware of their surroundings.

For a dog to have relaxed ears means that they are comfortable in the situation and aren’t on their guard around you. Their body language in general will also be more relaxed, with their tail resting or even wagging slowly and their tongue hanging out.

A relaxed and happy English Bulldog may even be comfortable enough to sleep around you, especially if they are already closely bonded with you.

5. Playing around

Obviously, a happy dog is a playful dog. They will run around, play with toys, people and other dogs happily. While English Bulldogs aren’t the most energetic of breeds and don’t need long walks, they will still run around and play with toys, as well as engaging in tugs-of-war with you if they don’t fancy moving around much.

When dogs play, they often go into a ‘Play bow’, with their forelegs flat on the ground and their bottom and tail raised high in the air, This is a dog’s way of asking other dogs and their owner if they want to play, which, when reciprocated, will initiate play.

If you furry friend wants to play, you will have no doubt that your English Bulldog is happy.

6. No destructive behaviour

Bored, anxious or stressed dogs can often be very destructive around the house, such as biting furniture, tearing things apart and generally trashing the room.

People with dogs who have separation anxiety often find that their dog has destroyed the house after being left alone, and it can be the same even if you are in the house with them. Unhappy dogs will also be uncooperative and difficult to handle on walks, hinting towards something that is causing them stress or anxiety.

Destructive behaviour can be helped through training, as well as finding the root cause to the problem, such as boredom, too much excess energy, separation anxiety or another cause.

Quite often these behaviours can be corrected through taking your dog on longer walks, giving them new toys to play with to occupy themselves, and removing them from an environment they find stressful.

In simple terms, if your English Bulldog is being destructive, it’s a sign that he is not happy and could even be depressed.

7. Plenty of appetite

English Bulldogs are usually up for eating anything and everything (here’s how much they should be eating), so if your dog is off their food then it could be a sign that they aren’t happy or feeling well.

As well as a decreased appetite, if your dog’s appetite increases it could also be a sign that something isn’t quite right.

If you are concerned that your English Bulldog’s eating and drinking habits have suddenly changed, please contact your vet who will be able to examine them for any illnesses or conditions that could be causing the problem.

8. Tongue hanging out

Another way you will know if your English Bulldog is happy is if he sticks his tongue out; this isn’t just a way for them to cool down. Along with a relaxed smile, dogs also show their happiness by rolling onto their back and wiggling around, with their tongue out.

This is usually an invitation for belly rubs. However, submissive belly rubs are very different, with their bodies being stiff and their mouth closed; a sign that they are feeling afraid and don’t want to fight. Dogs will often perform submissive belly rolls when around more aggressive dogs or in situations that they find frightening or overly stressful.

9. Shiny and healthy coat

A healthy dog is a happy dog, and a shiny coat is a good sign that your English Bulldog is happy, well fed and healthy.

You can keep your dog’s coat shiny through regular baths and brushes, good quality food, nutritional and vitamin supplements and keeping them well exercised and healthy.

How do you tell if your English Bulldog loves you?

English Bulldogs aren’t subtle with their affections, and if they love someone they will definitely make it known. Once you have owned a dog for a while, you will begin to recognise some of their more individual ways of showing affection, but there are a few ways that English Bulldogs will show you that they love you.

10. They are happy to see you

There are millions of videos on the internet of dogs going crazy when their owner returns, from just a walk to the local store or from being months away overseas, and you may find your dog is just the same.

When you come home, your dog will be overjoyed at you being there, jumping up (unless they’ve been trained not to) and trying to get your attention to pet and play with them. While this can cause some disruption when you first step in through the door, it is a sure-fire way of knowing that your dog really likes you being around and loves you to the moon and back.

An English Bulldog that doesn’t like you or is depressed and unhappy will either not pay you any attention or will actively avoid you, at worst growling or acting aggressively towards you.

11. They lean on and into you

This is easier to notice for larger and heavier dogs, but dogs of all sizes do this. When you are petting them, your dog may lean their bodyweight against you, either into your leg or side. Even when you are stood up or when you are sat down, they will also seek bodily contact and physical affection, such as cuddles or pets.

This is not only a sign of a happy English Bulldog, but one that really loves the attention that you give it, feeling safe enough around you to fully relax into you and may even fall asleep on you.

12. They keep eye contact with their human master

When you are training your dog, walking them or generally playing around, your dog may hold your eye contact for a prolonged length of time. You may be wondering why they do this, whether it is a sign of dominance or if it is just something they do.

Actually, it has been scientifically proven (read the CBS News report) that when you and your dog share eye contact, their brain released oxytocin, the same hormone that mother’s get when they look at their baby.

This means that when they are looking into your eyes, they are feeling the same way that you feel when you see them.

However, don’t try and force eye contact with your dog. Eye contact has to be natural and forcing it can come across to them be a sign of asserting dominance, potentially make your dog uncomfortable or even wary. 

13. They steal your stuff for fun

English Bulldogs have an incredibly strong sense of smell, being 40 times more sensitive than ours, which means that everything has a smell. You may have noticed shoes, socks and other items of clothing going missing, or found your dog walking around with one of them in their mouth.

This is because the item smells of you (as well as being fun to chew and play with). You can discourage this through training and get your socks back by exchanging it for another toy, treat or sock that you aren’t using.

Taking an item forcefully can be mistaken by them for play, or it can make them more protective over things and even cause growling or aggression.

But if your bully constantly steals your stuff, don’t be too hard on him. It’s just your English Bulldog’s way of showing he loves you!

14. They sleep around you at night

Dogs won’t sleep in a situation that they feel uncomfortable or unsafe in, so for them to fall asleep around you, such as when you are sitting with them, is a sure sign that they are completely comfortable and feel totally safe in your presence.

Your English Bulldog may also want to sleep in your bedroom when you turn in for the night, even if they are not allowed on the bed, as they want to be close to their family or pack during the night.

Your dog loves you, is happy, and wants to share your warmth… cute!

15. They check in on you all the time

While some dogs are always following you around and stick to your side like a shadow, other dogs are more independent and like to spend time on their own. However, they will still pop into your room occasionally to check that you are still there and that you are alright.

This is also why dogs often come back to stop to look behind them while on walks, especially in new environments, so that they know exactly where you are.

You are your dog’s world. If he wants to be around you all the time, your English Bulldog loves you more than you can imagine. 

16. They are outwardly affectionate

As mentioned before, dogs aren’t very subtle when it comes to showing their affections. Most dogs love physical contact and affection and will actively seek it, lying on you, jumping up and seeking you out to get cuddles and pets from you and other members of your family or friends. They will also curl up close to you, sleep on you or even sleep leaning or resting on you.

All English Bulldogs are individuals and do have their own personalities, little quirks and behaviours that are unique to them, and over time you will be able to pick up on these very easily.

All in all, dogs are quite easy to read when it comes to their body language, with some traits such as raising their eyebrows having been developed through domestication for them to be able to more easily communicate their emotions to us.

Dogs are very physical in their affections, so if your English Bulldog is happy to see you, wagging their tail and enjoys playing with you, then it is very likely that they really do love you as much as you love them.

Conclusion

To be honest, after owning your English Bulldog for a few months you will soon pick up on his own little signs of happiness and affection. All dogs are different, and whilst I’ve listed a lot of ways in which you can tell an English Bulldog loves you, yours might do something completely different.

The bottom line is this; providing you give them love, affection, care, and keep them healthy and fit, your English Bulldog will be happy and loveable – that’s all they need!

The post How Do I Know If My English Bulldog Is Happy & Loves Me? (16 Signs) appeared first on DoggySaurus.