The Endless Battle of Itchy Paws:

My Journey With French Bulldogs and Diet Frustrations

If you’ve ever had a French Bulldog with itchy paws, you know how defeating it feels. I’m convinced I’ve tried justabout every product advertised online or on Instagram that promises to stop paw licking and scratching within a couple of weeks. Spoiler alert: none of them worked.

I’ve bought paw wipes, gels, sprays, and shampoos, all claiming to soothe itchy skin or cure paw irritation. Aftercountless attempts, I feel like I could open my own mini-store with all the unused products sitting in my cabinet.

The Food Connection I Can’t Ignore

Through trial and error, I’ve become convinced that itchy paws aren’t just about what’s happening on the outside. Ibelieve they’re connected to what’s going on inside, specifically the “unknown” ingredients in processed kibble. It doesn’t matter if the food is “prescription” from a vet or labeled as a “limited ingredient” diet from a fancy brand. Atthe end of the day, there’s still a long list of fillers, additives, and hidden proteins that seem to trigger my dogs’ sensitivities.

My Current Reality: Four Dogs, Four Diets

Feeding time at my house looks like a science project:

1 dog on prescription food

2 dogs on a limited-ingredient formula

1 new puppy on the breeder’s recommended puppy food

On top of that, I have multiple additives and supplements for each one, probiotics, oils, powders, and more. It’s gotten to the point where family members groan when they see my handwritten list of instructions for “who getswhat” at mealtime. It’s exhausting, and despite all the effort, I still feel like I’m not getting anywhere.

Homemade Food: The Hope and the Hurdle

I even tried making my own dog food, and honestly, it worked great at first. My dogs seemed healthier, their coats shinier, and their paws less irritated.

But here’s the problem: without a veterinarian helping with a balanced recipe, I realized I was missing vital nutrients. Dogs need more than just protein and vegetables, they need specific vitamins and minerals that are hard to guess at without supplementation. With four dogs, the time, cost, and stress of homemade feeding quickly became overwhelming.

The Expensive Road: Prescription Medications

After years of chasing solutions, my vet recently prescribed Apoquel (Apical), which is shockingly expensive. While ithelps relieve symptoms, it’s not a cure and it feels like putting a Band-Aid on a problem I desperately want to solve at its root.

Between sensitive skin, yeast flare-ups, and recurring bacterial infections, I’m still searching for that “perfect” diet that won’t leave my Frenchies scratching and licking endlessly.

Why I’m Sharing This

I’m writing this not because I have all the answers (clearly, I don’t), but because I know I’m not the only Frenchie owner feeling frustrated. The pet food industry pushes flashy ads, trendy “limited-ingredient” bags, and miracle supplements, yet many of us are still left with itchy, uncomfortable dogs.

What I’ve learned is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every dog is different, and what works for oneFrenchie may not work for another. But I also know that diet matters, and until we see more transparency and quality in pet foods, many of us will keep struggling.

For now, I’ll keep advocating for my dogs, working closely with my vet, and doing the best I can with the information I have. And if you’re in the same boat juggling diets, battling yeast, and watching your pup chew on itchy paws, know that you’re not alone. I'd love to hear your story(ies) both successes and failures if you don't mind sharing. Afterall, the bottom line is we all want to help our dogs live their best lives!