The Best Toys for a French Bulldog

Good dog owners want to do everything they can to keep their best friend entertained, and dog toys are a great way to do that. If you have a French bulldog, also known as a Frenchie, then you know you have a big task on your hands because they have LOTS of energy!

It’s like a Frenchie never really grows up. They just love to play. That’s why some of the best French bulldog toys are interactive toys. But it’s also true that French bulldogs are prone to certain health issues that the right kind of play can help, but if you overdo it, it can cause problems.

That’s why it’s important to choose the right toys for mental stimulation, chewers, and overall life enrichment so that your Frenchie can have fun without having any health problems.

With that said, here are some of our top picks for the best toys for French bulldogs:

• Invincible Snakes
• Squawkers Latex Rubber Chicken
• Dogwood Wood Alternative Chew Toy
• Ropes-A-Go-Go Cow Tug Toy
• Orbee-Tuff Mazee Interactive Puzzle Dog Toy
• Orbee-Tuff Raspberry Treat-Dispensing Dog Chew Toy
• Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle Toy

Let’s begin by looking at what exactly makes for a good toy for your French bulldog.

What Makes for a Good French Bulldog Toy?

French bulldogs are intelligent, and they have powerful jaws. They can easily tear through most toys, so, you need something rugged.

Because of their brachycephalic anatomy, you want to avoid toys that have stuffing. That can be a choking hazard.

They’re also small, so you want something that is a good size for their mouth.

Finally, you want something they will enjoy. They are smart and need to have a lot of mental stimulation when they play. That’s why you’ll want interactive toys that make them think.

They also like playing with their best human friend, so tug toys, fetch toys, and squeaky toys are all good options for the two of you to enjoy together. Let’s take a look at the different types of toys your Frenchie will like.

Interactive Toys for Frenchies

French bulldogs are smart little guys, and they need a lot of mental stimulation during playtime. Interactive toys are dog toys that make the dog work through a puzzle to get a treat reward.

These can also be great if your little guy is a fast eater and you want to slow him down. These two treat ball toys are great for French bulldogs. You just put kibble or some tasty treats in the dispenser and get ready for hours of fun:

• Orbee-Tuff Mazee Interactive Puzzle Dog Toy
• Orbee-Tuff Raspberry Treat-Dispensing Dog Chew Toy
• Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle Toy

Tip: To get your dog interested, smear a little bit of peanut butter on the opening.

These toys are tough, and the chewy Raspberry treat-dispensing chew toy is a durable ball toy that can float so it’s suitable for outdoor and indoor play. It makes for a great fetch toy, and it’s a more durable alternative to the traditional tennis ball!

Both are also made from TPE material which is a safe, eco-friendly alternative to a rubber ball. Plus, they come in the perfect size for a small dog.

Interactive toys like this are also great if your little Frenchie suffers from separation anxiety. It gives them something to work on while you’re gone, and that can decrease their anxiety.

The treat dispenser on each is designed to challenge your Frenchie with his own little dog puzzle toy.

Squeaky Toys for Frenchies

Squeaky toys are classic dog toys, and your Frenchie will get hours of enjoyment out of these Outward Hound versions:

• Invincible Snakes
• Squawkers Latex Rubber Chicken

I mean, who doesn’t love a good latex rubber chicken! These toys are durable and long-lasting.

Both also come in different sizes and styles, so you can choose something that suits your best friend’s personality to a T!

The Squawkers durable rubber dog toys offer different, funny chicken characters with the irresistible squeakers your Frenchie loves. These are particularly fun for a Frenchie puppy. The high-quality materials are all safe and natural, and the paint used to decorate them is lead-free so you can have a safe, fun experience.

The Invincible Snakes are another great toy for your Frenchie. It’s one of Outward Hound’s plush toys, but it is uniquely designed with Dura-Tuff lining and double-stitched seams, both of which mean it will be a long-lasting toy.

It’s great for keeping your Frenchie occupied indoors or out. It’s perfect for a game of fetch or as a tug toy. It’s made with non-toxic materials and it’s stuffing-free so you don’t have to worry about a choking hazard.

Invincible Snakes are also a great alternative to rawhide toys that might be harder on your dog’s teeth.

French Bulldog Chew Toys and Tug Toys

If you have a French bulldog, you know you want tug toys that are easy on your dog’s teeth. These two options fit the bill perfectly.

• Dogwood Wood Alternative Chew Toy
• Deerhorn Dog Chew
• Ropes-A-Go-Go Cow Tug Toy

The Dogwood Wood or Deerhorn alternative chew toy is a great option for your Frenchie. It will undoubtedly become one of his favorite toys. The blend of natural wood fiber and safe synthetic materials is a safe alternative to real wood.

Real wood can splinter which can lead to oral and intestinal damage, particularly in aggressive chewers. This blend, however, won’t splinter and it mimics the taste and texture of natural wood, making it one of the better alternatives for those busy chewers.

Chewing is a calming activity so it’s also helpful if your dog has separation anxiety. It’s a great tooth-cleaning toy as well.

If your Frenchie’s into tug of war, the Ropes-A-Go-Go Cow rope toy is the toy for him. It’s crinkly, squeaky, and a soft plush dog toy all at the same time. These multi-sensory durable dog toys provide various textures and sounds including 3 internal squeakers. The soft plush fabric means it will go easy on your dog’s teeth.

Its K9 Tuff Guard technology includes reinforced non-rip seams, durable fused backing, and double-stitched seams that all add up to longevity and durability in this tug toy.

This is a fetch toy, tug of war toy, and chew toy all in one. It has handles for you to grab easily, and you can play toss and catch with it too. It can also work well as a teething toy for your Frenchie puppy.

French Bulldog Health Problems that Affect Play

French bulldogs are brachycephalic breeds, which means they have that ‘pushed in’ or squashed face with a short snout. That anatomy puts them at a higher risk for certain health problems that can affect their ability to play. For example, it’s not possible for them to swim without a French bulldog life jacket.

Here are some of the common problems this particular dog breed has:

Upper Respiratory Infections — URT

Because of that squashed face, French bulldogs are at higher risk for upper respiratory infections.

In fact, most Frenchies will have at least one upper respiratory infection in their lifetime, particularly if they spend time around other dogs. The symptoms of this are similar to a cold and include coughing, nasal congestion, and lethargy.

If you think your Frenchie has a URT, you want to see your vet right away. 

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome — BOAS

French bulldogs often have problems with BOAS. That short snout and squashed face can cause trouble breathing, problems sleeping, and heat intolerance.

For Frenchies, this problem typically occurs when they are exercising, particularly in warmer temperatures. That’s why you’ll want to watch your Frenchie closely when he’s really exerting himself during playtime. You might consider limiting his playtime to prevent this from happening.

Mobility Problems for French Bulldogs

There are a number of health problems French bulldogs can develop. These can range from congenital disorders, which are present at birth, and may be evident in French bulldog puppies, to degenerative disorders that can manifest when they’re older. These include conditions like hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and spinal disc problems. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is one example that can actually result in paralysis.

These conditions are something to be aware of as you play with your Frenchie best friend. With that said, don’t be afraid to have fun with your Frenchie because that’s all he wants to do!

French Bulldog Toys: Final Thoughts

French bulldogs are one of the cutest and smartest small dogs around. They love to play and have plenty of energy so get ready to move. Interactive toys that challenge their mind, chew toys, tug toys, kong toys, and squeaky toys are all great choices for your Frenchie.

Just watch that they don’t become overheated when they’re playing and be aware that they may suffer some mobility problems that can inhibit their ability to play. Also, watch out for upper respiratory infections that can slow them down.

Don’t let that stop you from having some fun with your Frenchie though, because as the song goes, “Frenchies just wanna have fun!” Okay, I’ve made one small change there, but maybe that’s why Frenchies are a great dog breed for girls!!