Coconut oil

Coconut oil is excellent as an aid towards your healthy frenchie. It is so beneficial to them that it's silly not to give it a go!
Now I won't lie I have only used it for a couple of months on my 2 but they love it!

Most of the coconut oil benefits come from the MCTs. For example, the lauric acid in coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Capric and caprylic acid have similar properties and are best known for their anti-fungal effects.

According to Dr. Bruce Fife, certified nutritionist and naturopathic doctor, coconut oil gently elevates the metabolism, provides a higher level of energy and vitality, protects your frenchie from illness, and speeds healing. As a bonus, coconut oil improves any dog’s skin and coat, improves digestion, and reduces allergic reactions.

Im not going to go ahead and bore you with all the science behind it, but just  show you the benefits.

Fed regularly to your frenchie, coconut oil may have multiple benefits:

Skin Conditions -  as frenchie owners we know that our little furbabies are prone to skin trouble and allergies!

Clears up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis,and itchy skin

Reduces allergic reactions and improves skin health

Makes coats become sleek and glossy, and deodorizes doggy odor

Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including candida

Disinfects cuts and promotes wound healing

Applied topically, promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, hot spots, dry skin and hair, bites and stings

Digestion - we have all experienced the bad games that come from both ends of our frenchie's!

Improves digestion and nutrient absorption

Aids healing of digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel syndrome and colitis

Reduces or eliminates bad breath in dogs

Reduces gas and flatulence

Aids in elimination of hairballs and coughing

Immune System, Metabolic Function, Bone Health

Contains powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents that prevent infection and disease

Regulates and balance insulin and promotes normal thyroid function

Helps prevent or control diabetes

Helps reduce weight, increases energy
Aids in arthritis or ligament problems

There's a couple of ways you can give it to your frenchie, I tend to melt it down and wait for it to cool then drizzle into their food, you can add it in solid, or if they aren't keen on it try smothering there favorite treats in it! I give my two a tea spoon each a day and I can tell the difference!

Make sure it's organic, raw, virgin coconut oil you get!  So give it a try!  There's too many benefits not too!

Reverse Sneezing

As frenchie owners at some point we've all experienced our pup gagging for air as if they can't breathe, with my two I tend to gently hit there noses if it happens but here is some useful information about reverse sneezing and how to prevent it!

Reverse Sneezing, Pharyngeal Gag Reflex or Paroxysmal Respiration is a condition that can be seen with some dogs. It’s caused by a spasm in the dog’s soft palate as well as laryngeal area during which dogs gasp air in awkwardly rather than expelling it as it happens with a normal sneeze.

What Happens During a Reverse Sneeze?

· Usually, dogs extend their neck as they gasp with loud and strong grunting sound. They are likely to turn their elbows out and their eyes may even stick out during the occurrence.
· Since the trachea becomes narrow, it’s even harder for dogs to get a sufficient amount of air into their lungs. As a result, their chest might expand as they try to inhale.
· During the episode, most owners would think their pooch is suffocating, choking, or even suffering from a seizure.
· Each occurrence of reverse sneezing only lasts for just a couple of minutes or less. The episode normally ends on its own without posing any threat to your dog’s health.

Fortunately, dogs appear normal both before and right after the event, without after effects. Dogs don’t lose their consciousness, and this phenomenon is often harmless, and rarely requires medical treatment.

Common Causes

Reverse sneezing can be set off by a wide variety of irritants and some forms of dog allergies. Pollen, dust, mites, viruses, post-nasal drip, nasal inflammation, perfumes, and household cleaners or chemicals are some of the known triggering factors. Other causes include exercise intolerance, rapid drinking or eating, pulling on leashes, and even excitement. It’s also very likely that sinusitis and other kinds of respiratory problems can lead to episodes of reverse sneezing.

Although any dog breed can experience this fairly common respiratory condition, it is more widespread in smaller pooches. Short-faced dogs like Boxers, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus are found to be more at risk of reverse sneezing. It has been suspected that a genetic factor is involved with such kind of breeds.

Possible Treatments

· Antihistamines. If allergies have been discovered to be the main cause of the problem, antihistamine medications can be administered. Your vet may prescribe drugs if mites are found in the dog’s laryngeal area.

· Massage. Another way to treat reverse sneezing is through massage. To help stop the spams, just rub Fido’s throat gently.

· Others. You can also try to cover your pooch’s nostrils to help him swallow; clearing out whatever trigger is setting off the episode. In addition, if the occurrence doesn’t windup quickly, try depressing your pups tongue to open his mouth and help air to move through his nasal passages. This has always worked very well with my two.

Well I hope this information was as helpful to you as it was me. We all hate to see our frenchie's suffering but there is always useful tips and advice around.

Floppy ears !!

Alot of people freak out when they see their frenchies ears not springing up like a bunny! But dont panic it take some frenchies longer then others. Frenchies ears do funny things in their first few months due to their bodys using all the calcium for teething.

When they do start to go up, they frequently don’t go up at the same time. Their ears do all kinds of wonky things in the teething stage. For example, one ear might be up and one might be down, then the next day opposite ears will stand and lay down. One or two ears might start going up, and then the next day they both might be down. One ear may be up weeks before the other ear stands up. Also, when they do start standing up they are often not completely erect (they look more like airplane wings). The point is, when your frenchie is done teething, his/her ears will almost always stand correctly. Have patience and let nature take it’s course, and when he or she is ready his/her ears will be straight and beautiful!

Some people like to help aid the calcium problem with yogurt, milk or cottage cheese but please let me tell you this, due to experience do not use too much cheese! Although cheese has less lactose in it than milk too much can upset the digestive system as their bodies do not produce enough lactase to break down, process and digest lactose. This will be the same case with milk so prevent from using normal cows milk and find a goats milk instead. With yogurt try using natural yogurt, this will have less sugar, flavourings and additives in it.

So when you get your new frenchie furbaby who has floppy ears please dont panic, let nature take its course. My oldest frenchie was 7 months old before his ears were fully erect. Ive put some pictures to show the timeline of his ears 🐰