Did you enjoy reading the first part of Zero’s puppy food journey? If you haven’t checked it out yet, I highly recommend starting there!
Today, I’m sharing the next chapter in Zero’s diet story—from when he graduated from puppy food to junior/adult formulas. He’s now almost 2 years old (turning two in June!), and over the past 10 months, we’ve tried three different kibbles during this growing-up phase.
Here’s my honest, “bought-it-with-my-own-money” review on each one, based on what worked (and what didn’t) for my French Bulldog’s sensitive stomach, picky appetite, and allergy-prone skin.
🐶 When Should You Switch from Puppy to Junior/Adult Dog Food?
Generally, dogs transition from puppy to adult food around 12 months of age. But breed size matters:
- Small-to-medium breeds like French Bulldogs usually finish most of their growth between 10 to 12 months : This means the ideal time to transition is around their first birthday, when their rapid growth slows, and the focus shifts to maintaining a healthy body condition.
Puppy food is high in calories, protein, and minerals like calcium and phosphorus to support rapid growth. But continuing it too long can lead to excess weight gain, joint stress, and even obesity.
A junior or adult formula is better balanced for their changing needs.
⚠️ What to Watch Out for When Switching Dog Food
- Transition gradually over 7 days to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach.
- Choose kibble with a texture and size suitable for adult teeth—helps with chewing and tartar control.
- Adjust portions according to your dog’s weight, energy level, and overall body condition.
For Zero, we noticed around 10 months that his body was maturing, and he seemed less interested in his puppy food. That’s when we decided it was time for the switch.
🍽️ The 3 Junior Dog Foods Zero Tried — Honest Reviews
1. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin (Chicken Recipe)
This was our first pick when transitioning from puppy to adult food. We liked that it was easy on the stomach, as Zero had a history of digestive issues.
Key Ingredients:
Chicken, chicken meal, barley, rice, whole grain sorghum, flaxseed, beet pulp, vitamins (A, E, B1, B2, B12), and antioxidants like beta-carotene and taurine.
✅ Top 3 Benefits
- Chicken & chicken meal: Easily digestible proteins that help build muscle.
- Flaxseed: Rich in Omega-3s to soothe skin irritation.
- Antioxidants (Vitamin E, Beta-Carotene, Taurine): Strengthen the immune system—especially important for brachycephalic breeds like Frenchies.
💬 My Review
Pros: Helped with Zero’s digestion—his poop stayed firm, and he had fewer upset stomach episodes. Also noticed less face rubbing, which used to happen after meals.
Cons: He got bored of the chicken flavor quickly, so we had to mix in fresh food or use freeze-dried toppers.
📸 Bonus: I also made homemade wet food using fresh veggies and fruits during this period—Zero LOVED it! I’ll share that recipe in a separate post. 😍
2. Instinctive Bite Salmon for Sensitive Skin & Stomach (Grain-Free)
Next, we tried this salmon-based kibble, thinking it would be great for skin and tummy health. Zero loves fish, so we were hopeful—but it didn’t go as planned. 😢
Key Ingredients:
Salmon meal, fish oil, chickpeas, peas, sweet potato, spinach, turmeric, blueberries, glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics (FOS), and probiotics.
✅ Top 3 Benefits
- Fish Oil (DHA & EPA): Great for skin and coat health—reduces itching and shedding.
- Glucosamine & Chondroitin: Supports joint health—a must for stocky breeds like Frenchies.
- Prebiotics (FOS): Improves gut health and stool quality.
💬 My Review
Pros: Gave him perfect, “golden” poop! He loved the taste and had zero digestive issues.
Cons: Unfortunately, salmon wasn’t the best for his skin. He developed small red bumps on his belly and back. Not inflamed, but not ideal.
3. Royal Canin French Bulldog Adult
And finally, our current (and most successful) pick—Royal Canin’s breed-specific formula for adult French Bulldogs. This one has been a winner in terms of taste, digestion, and visible coat improvement.
Key Ingredients:
Rice, wheat, pork protein, chicken meal, beet pulp, fish oil, soy oil, vitamins A & D3, taurine, L-carnitine, and EPA/DHA.
✅ Top 3 Benefits
- Fish Oil (EPA & DHA): Enhances coat shine and soothes sensitive skin.
- L-Carnitine: Helps burn fat and supports healthy weight maintenance—great for low-energy breeds.
- Highly digestible proteins (L.I.P.): Reduces gas and helps with nutrient absorption.
💬 My Review
Pros: This is the only kibble Zero eats without fuss! His coat got shinier and softer within days. His body looks more defined, and he maintains a healthy weight.
Cons: None so far—though I’m always on the lookout for even better options.
🧴 Bonus Tips: Managing Weight & Skin Allergies
- Weight control: Regular portion checks + using food puzzles or snuffle mats to slow eating = less bloating & better digestion.
- Skin care: When Zero reacted to certain proteins (like salmon), switching to simpler formulas or rotating proteins helped us find what worked.
- Hydration & gut health: We occasionally add probiotics or bone broth to his meals!
✅ How I Helped My French Bulldog Stay Fit & Manage His Body Shape
✔️ It’s all about diet control and regular exercise!
After graduating from his puppy food, Zero has been on junior/adult kibble. I feed him twice a day—at 7am and 6pm—and started with 100g per meal. These days, he’s eating 120g each time.
Back when he was on different food (before Royal Canin), Zero had a really ideal body shape—just the right amount of chubbiness. Even our vet said, “He looks perfect right now. Just be careful he doesn’t gain any more weight!”
But lately… he’s gotten a little rounder. 😅 He’s now close to 15kg! Thankfully, we play in the yard every evening and go to the off-leash park on weekends, so I think that’s what’s helping keep his weight relatively stable.
As I mentioned in the food review post, foods with higher fat content are super tasty for dogs—but that also means you really need to keep an eye on their weight.
If your pup enjoys their food as much as Zero does, don’t forget: portion control and daily activity are key to maintaining a healthy body!
✅ Skin or Coat Worries? Here’s How I Handled Zero’s Allergic Reactions & Chose Alternative Foods
To be honest, I’ve never really worried much about Zero’s coat.
French Bulldogs do shed quite a bit in general, but he’s never had issues like tangled fur or patchy hair loss. In fact, all the foods he’s been on—including Royal Canin, which he’s been eating regularly since puppyhood—contain ingredients that support coat health.
His fur has always been soft and shiny, and I used to think, “Nice! This food must be working well.”
But what really gave me a hard time was his skin.
On days when Zero wasn’t eating well, I’d sometimes mix in a bit of beef, chicken, egg, yogurt, salmon, or dried pollock to tempt him.
Then one day, I noticed hard, raised bumps forming on his back. They got crusty, eventually flaking off like dandruff. 😢
💡 What helped me the most was tracking his meals and removing one ingredient at a time.
I kept a detailed food log: what he ate, when, and how his skin reacted. This made it easier to spot which foods were making things worse—or helping calm his skin.
📝 Tip!
Even if an ingredient seems “okay,” check if you’re giving it repeatedly out of habit.
Beyond regular kibble, hidden allergens can sneak in through treats, fruits, dairy… even small bites you don’t think much about.
Most recently, Zero’s inner ear got swollen and started oozing, so we took a trip to the vet.
Thanks to my records, we could quickly rule out food allergies.
Our vet suspected it might have been environmental—maybe from sniffing grass, traces of other animals’ waste, pollen, or dust during a walk.
So now I’m extra careful about wiping his paws after every walk, and I check his skin daily.
And if there’s ever a day when he’s scratching more than usual for no clear reason, I stop and think: “What did he eat today? Where did we go?”
People always say that raising a dog is like raising a child.
I used to think that was just a cute saying—but now I really get it.
Our dogs are so sensitive to even the smallest changes.
Taking notes, observing closely, and adjusting things slowly but consistently—
That’s how I’ve come to learn what works best for Zero, and how to keep him happy and healthy 💗
#French Bulldog adult food, #best dog food for French Bulldogs, #Frenchie diet transition, #Royal Canin French Bulldog, #managing French Bulldog weight, #French Bulldog skin allergies, #adult dog feeding tips, #French Bulldog food review, #healthy French Bulldog routine, #Frenchie nutrition guide
Zero to Hero 
Leave a comment