Category: Bulldog Owners Club

Meat Matters: Why Hot Proteins Can Worsen Dog Allergies

28/8/2025

Allergies are now one of the most common health issues affecting dogs today, not just in Bulldogs, but across all breeds. Vets are reporting more cases than ever of itchy skin, recurring ear infections, and chronic gut upsets.

For Bulldogs, the impact can be especially tough. Their skin folds, short coats, and compact ear canals make flare-ups obvious, uncomfortable, and often harder to manage. However, while medication may temporarily alleviate symptoms, food choices, particularly the type of protein, are often the key to lasting relief.

What Do Hot, Neutral, and Cold Proteins Mean?

In holistic nutrition, proteins are grouped by how they influence the body's "heat":

🍽️Cooling Proteins – calm the system, reduce inflammation, and soothe itchiness. Examples: Rabbit, Duck, Goat

🍽️ Neutral Proteins – stable and generally well tolerated, don't push the body either way. Examples: Turkey, Pork, Beef

🍽️ Warming Proteins – stimulate circulation and metabolism, but can worsen hotspots, redness, and yeast in sensitive dogs. Examples: Chicken, Lamb, Venison

For Bulldogs, already prone to red skin, ear flare-ups, and paw irritation, feeding too many warming proteins can be like pouring fuel on the fire. Cooling proteins are often better tolerated, helping to settle things down.

Why Dogs Struggle With Allergies

Allergies aren't just a Bulldog issue. Spaniels, Retrievers and Terriers, all breeds, are seeing an increase in cases. However, Bulldogs tend to show the effects more clearly due to their short fur and rose-shaped ears. Underlying factors include:

Genetics – Bulldogs can be predisposed to skin and ear conditions.
Gut imbalance – antibiotics, steroids, and heavily processed food weaken digestion.
Protein intolerance – common meats like chicken and lamb are frequent triggers.
Carbohydrates and vegetables – some vegetables, particularly starchy ones, increase sugar levels in the body. This can feed yeast and exacerbate irritation around the paws, face and ears.

Allergy Red Flags to Watch For

Not all signs are apparent. Beyond itching, look for:

Redness around the face folds, paws or tail pocket
Yeasty smell between toes or in ears
Face rubbing on furniture or carpets
Tear staining under the eyes
Recurring ear infections despite cleaning
Soft or loose stools with no other cause

If you notice these symptoms, your dog may be reacting to a change in diet, environment, or a combination of both.

Food vs. Environment: Two Parts of the Puzzle

It's important to remember that not all allergies are food-related. Many Bulldogs also react to:

Environmental triggers – pollen, grass seeds, dust mites
Household products – shampoos, laundry detergents, floor cleaners
Climate – flare-ups often worsen in hot, humid weather

A Bulldog may eat a perfect cooling protein diet and still react if the environment isn't addressed. That's why allergy management typically requires both dietary adjustments and environmental awareness.

Elimination Diet: A Practical Approach

The gold standard for allergy management is an elimination diet:

Choose one cooling protein (rabbit, duck, or goat).
Feed it exclusively for 8–12 weeks, with no extras or treats outside of the protein.
Support gut health with probiotics or natural prebiotics.
Monitor carefully for improvement in skin, stools, and energy.
Reintroduce cautiously, try one new protein at a time.

This method gives the gut a reset and helps pinpoint which proteins your Bulldog can handle.

Key Takeaways

All breeds are seeing a rise in allergies, but Bulldogs show them more visibly due to their unique anatomy.
Cooling proteins, such as those from rabbit, duck, and goat, often help calm flare-ups.
Red flags include redness, yeast, paw licking, and ear infections, not just obvious itching.
Vegetables and starches can increase sugar levels, which in turn feed yeast and exacerbate irritation.
Allergies aren't always caused by food alone; the environment plays a significant role.
Consistency is key; chopping and changing diets makes it harder to identify the actual cause, but it's vital to vary protein sources.

Final Thought

Allergies in Bulldogs are rarely solved by medication alone. The key lies in addressing the root cause: food choices, gut health, and environmental triggers. By understanding hot and cold proteins and watching for hidden red flags, owners can reduce flare-ups, improve their Bulldogs' comfort, and ultimately give them lasting relief.

So the next time your Bulldog starts licking paws or scratching ears, don't just ask, "What brand of food?" ask, "What type of protein?"

The Top 5 Health Conditions

9/4/2025

The Top 5 Health Conditions
Every Bulldog Owner Should Know About

Following a recent conversation during one of our Bulldog Owners Community Circle Calls, I realised how many new and experienced owners are keen to better understand the health concerns our breed may face. So, I thought it sensible to share this as a blog post for everyone to benefit.

Bulldogs are naturally stoic and often have a remarkably high pain threshold, which means they may show few outward signs of discomfort until an issue has progressed. Understanding the early symptoms and knowing what to look out for can save you from unnecessary vet bills — and, more importantly, save your Bulldog from prolonged pain and stress that could've been prevented with early action.

Bulldogs are naturally stoic and often have a remarkably high pain threshold, which means they may show few outward signs of discomfort until an issue has progressed. Understanding the early symptoms and knowing what to look out for can save you from unnecessary vet bills — and, more importantly, save your Bulldog from prolonged pain and stress that could've been prevented with early action.

One of the most valuable tools you'll develop as a Bulldog owner is the ability to read your dog's body language (click to listen to podcast: Lost in Translation: Understanding Every Woof). Subtle changes in posture, movement, or even facial expression can be the first indicators that something isn't right. Recognising these early signs of discomfort can help you identify a health concern before it becomes critical.

Below, I've outlined five common Bulldog ailments that every responsible owner should know about — including symptoms, treatments, and how to prevent them.

1. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus – GDV)

What is it?
Bloat is a serious and life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and may twist on itself, cutting off blood flow and causing shock.

Symptoms to watch for:

📌 Distended or hard abdomen
📌 Excessive drooling
📌 Unproductive retching (trying to vomit, but nothing comes out)
📌 Restlessness or discomfort
📌 Pale gums and rapid heartbeat

Treatment: Immediate emergency veterinary intervention is required. Time is critical — GDV can be fatal within hours. Treatment usually involves decompression, IV fluids, and surgery to untwist and tack the stomach.

Prevention tips:

✅ Feed smaller, more frequent meals
✅ Avoid vigorous activity before and after meals
✅ Use slow feeders to discourage gulping
✅ Raise the food bowl if recommended by your vet (though this is debated)

2. Heat Stroke

What is it?
Due to their brachycephalic (short-nosed) structure, Bulldogs struggle to regulate temperature, making them prone to overheating, especially in warm weather. This risk is significantly heightened in dogs with excessive features, such as very short necks, deep skin folds around the cheeks and throat, or poor conformation that affects mobility. A Bulldog that is overweight or suffers from BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) is even more vulnerable. These dogs may already struggle with breathing at rest, and heat only compounds the strain.

Symptoms to watch for:

📌 Excessive panting or noisy breathing — also known as roaring (a rasping sound similar to a lion)
📌 Weakness or collapse
📌 Bright red or bluish gums
📌 Vomiting or diarrhoea
📌 Confusion or seizures

Treatment: Act fast — heat stroke is a veterinary emergency. Cool your Bulldog with tepid water (not ice cold), use a fan, and get them to a vet as soon as possible. Never delay.

Prevention tips:

✅ Avoid walks in the heat of the day
✅ Always provide shade and freshwater
✅ Use cooling mats or vests in summer
✅ Never leave them in a car unattended — even for a few minutes
✅ Maintain a healthy weight and monitor for signs of BOAS
✅ Avoid exaggerated bloodlines that prioritise extreme type over functional health

3. Eye Ulcers (Corneal Ulcers)

What is it?
Bulldogs can have prominent eyes, making them susceptible to scratches and ulcers on the cornea — often caused by playfighting with a companion, catching an eye on a toy, or even rubbing against rough surfaces. These injuries may seem minor initially but can become serious quickly if left untreated.

Symptoms to watch for:

📌 Squinting or holding the eye shut
📌 Excessive tearing or discharge
📌 Pawing at the eye
📌 Cloudy or bluish-appearance
📌 Sensitivity to light

Treatment: Prompt veterinary attention is essential, as ulcers can burst (melt) — a process where the cornea rapidly deteriorates, often within hours. This is not only extremely painful but can result in permanent vision loss or complete eye removal if not caught early.

Treatment can be intensive, often involving frequent application of antibiotic drops or ointments, pain relief, and sometimes surgical procedures. In more severe or non-healing cases, serum eye drops (made from your dog's blood) may be used alongside debriding to remove dead tissue and encourage healing or even considering stitching the eye closed.

Prevention tips:

✅ Keep wrinkles clean and trimmed around the eyes
✅ Avoid letting puppies play roughly with sharp objects or claws
✅ Wipe away any debris after walks
✅ Monitor for entropion (inward-turning eyelids), which may need surgical correction

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Meat Matters: Why Hot Proteins Can Worsen Dog Allergies

What Do Hot, Neutral, and Cold Proteins Mean?

Why Dogs Struggle With Allergies

Allergy Red Flags to Watch For

Food vs. Environment: Two Parts of the Puzzle

Elimination Diet: A Practical Approach

Key Takeaways

Final Thought

The Top 5 Health Conditions

The Top 5 Health Conditions
Every Bulldog Owner Should Know About

1. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus – GDV)

2. Heat Stroke

3. Eye Ulcers (Corneal Ulcers)

Want to unlock conditions 4 & 5?

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In summary ...

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Meat Matters: Why Hot Proteins Can Worsen Dog Allergies

What Do Hot, Neutral, and Cold Proteins Mean?

Why Dogs Struggle With Allergies

Allergy Red Flags to Watch For

Food vs. Environment: Two Parts of the Puzzle

Elimination Diet: A Practical Approach

Key Takeaways

Final Thought

The Top 5 Health Conditions

The Top 5 Health Conditions​Every Bulldog Owner Should Know About

1. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus – GDV)

2. Heat Stroke

3. Eye Ulcers (Corneal Ulcers)

Want to unlock conditions 4 & 5?

Categories

Author

Archives

In summary ...

Popular pages ...

The Top 5 Health Conditions
Every Bulldog Owner Should Know About