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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog food in France

30 replies

SurreyisSunny · 04/06/2023 17:05

We are taking our puppy to a France in September on holiday. He’ll be 7 months old.

My concern is buying dog food and probably more importantly treats that he’ll like in France fairly quickly when we come off the euro tunnel.

Any experience of this? Pet shop or supermarket?

Recommendations for vegan treats also appreciated as think we can take these with us.

OP posts:
emotionalpuddle · 04/06/2023 17:21

When I take my dog to France I always take his food with us? Much easier than upsetting his stomach on food he isn't used to? Is that not an option for you also?

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 04/06/2023 18:16

emotionalpuddle · 04/06/2023 17:21

When I take my dog to France I always take his food with us? Much easier than upsetting his stomach on food he isn't used to? Is that not an option for you also?

There are limits on what you can take to France since Brexit.

newtb · 04/06/2023 18:47

All the standard makes are in supermarkets. Additionally, the garden centres Gamm Vert, Jardiland etc and vets all stock the Royal Canin types of food. Jardiland is open all day Sunday but has no loos.

Have a look on Google maps or Mappy near where you'll be.

Lonecatwithkitten · 04/06/2023 19:23

There is a restriction on importation of meat containing products including dog food into Europe. As previously said most major international brands are available there.
If you dog is on a prescription diet for a health reason your vet can give you a letter stating this and you can take sufficient for your stay.

caringcarer · 04/06/2023 19:29

My 2 dods just eat tins of dog meat from the supermarket.

Frenchfancy · 04/06/2023 19:35

Supermarkets have good ranges of dog food both tins and dry, and dog treats.

Garden centres and vets sell the specialist Hills type food.

Pet shops are pretty rare.

Original poster
SurreyisSunny · 04/06/2023 20:28

@Frenchfancy oh good to know about pet shops. Think we’ll try to find a hypermarket for the best choice

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Original poster
SurreyisSunny · 04/06/2023 20:29

@Lonecatwithkitten not on prescription just good quality food. So annoying you can’t take in anymore.

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Original poster
SurreyisSunny · 04/06/2023 20:31

@newtb Thankyou, we arrive Friday lunchtime so most places should be open hopefully

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Original poster
SurreyisSunny · 04/06/2023 20:32

@emotionalpuddle unfortunately no meat or dairy products allowed since 2021. I was planning on talking a picnic for our lunch but that’s not an option either!

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Clymene · 04/06/2023 20:34

My dog is raw fed and I couldn't find anything there. So we muddled through with cans and dry food and me making my own from stuff in the supermarket. Was a bit of a pain. Also dog food seemed v expensive there.

Original poster
SurreyisSunny · 04/06/2023 20:45

@Clymene I’ve not done a raw diet for that reason as thought it could be a challenge when away.

he’s currently on kibble (good quality not supermarket) and wet food. No idea what we’ll end up with, it was only talking to a friend today that I even realised there was an issue!

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OpalescentFly · 04/06/2023 20:52

Maxizoo are a pet shop in France and they have a good range of food. We've used them elsewhere in Europe

HavfrueDenizKisi · 04/06/2023 20:53

Yes you're not supposed to take meat products be we've always taken a unopened bag of kibble via eurotunnel and not been checked yet. Then I buy in carrefour - usually but edgard cooper there which we mix with dry food. There's a huge carrefour just outside of Calais.

Clymene · 04/06/2023 20:57

I got good dry food there. It wasn't cheap but the ingredient list was good and my dog liked it. Wasn't cheap though!

Okki · 04/06/2023 20:59

Blimey- never even thought about dog food. We always take ours with us. We obviously have a dog with us and have never been asked.

Okki · 04/06/2023 21:01

DH is taking the dog over in 2 weeks to get his rabies jab done - I shall ask him to check if there are any signs or anything as you'd think there'd be something at pet check in mentioning it.

Original poster
SurreyisSunny · 04/06/2023 21:06

@Okki yes I’d not even thought about it

are you getting the rabies jab in France then?

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TwoRedKittens · 04/06/2023 21:06

Google Maxi Zoo - it‘s a pet shop chain with decent quality dog food and there are two branches not too far from Calais. You can check the brands they stock on their website. Maxi Zoo is the French spin-off of German chain Fressnapf and if it‘s anything like the German stores, they should also sell frozen raw food @Clymene .

Original poster
SurreyisSunny · 04/06/2023 21:08

@HavfrueDenizKisi was that before or after the change of rules last year? I’m just worried sniffer dogs would find the kibble!!

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TwoRedKittens · 04/06/2023 21:08

Sorry, I hadn‘t refreshed the page and missed @OpalescentFly ‘s post who‘d already mentioned Maxi Zoo.

Frenchfancy · 04/06/2023 21:12

@Clymene the raw meat for dogs is kept with the other meat in the fridge section.

HavfrueDenizKisi · 04/06/2023 21:12

Twice last year and once this year and going again in July. We have a house there so obviously ddog comes with us and has her French pet passport.

They don't have any signs saying not to and nobody mentions it. I suppose if you get pulled over and checked you'd just hand it over for the bin. But honestly never seen that happen.

Original poster
SurreyisSunny · 04/06/2023 21:14

@TwoRedKittens ooh that’s super useful. They stock some decent brands

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LawksaMercyMissus · 04/06/2023 21:15

Royal Canine readily available here, including in garden centres. Cheaper stuff in Decathlon and supermarkets.