Canada’s pet population continues to rise and, as more kittens and puppies find their way into homes across the country, nine in 10 Canadians pet owners say their pet’s health is as important as their own. To support pet owners, Royal Canin created the Start of Life Report, a resource for all new puppy and kitten owners! We chatted with Dr. Cliff Redford, veterinarian, owner of Wellington Veterinary Hospital and host of the Dr. Cliff Podcast, to learn more. —Vita Daily
Hi Cliff! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.
My name is Dr. Cliff Redford. I’m the owner and veterinarian at Wellington Veterinary Hospital. I graduated from a top veterinary school, the Ontario Veterinary College, back in 1998 and shortly after became the owner of my own pet hospital. You can say that pets and animals have been a huge part of my life for a long time. I tend to the wellness of my patients through all stages of life. Where I can, I extend my care to all kinds of animals including porcupines, monkeys, and snakes. At home, I’m a dad and husband, joined by Thalia, my fun-loving labradoodle and jogging companion!
In what ways/why are the early stages of a pet’s life so crucial?
The early stages of a puppy or kitten’s life are so exciting. A pet owner gets to see their new pet grow and experience changes every day. Things that aren’t always visible but are so important during these early months include developing their strong immune system, strong teeth and a healthy digestive system. Pets are lifelong companions, and their early experiences shape the adults they become. Learning more about providing the right nutrition and support to their start of life can give them the best possible foundation to grow into happy and well-adjusted pets. At the end of the day, our pets only get one start of life.
What are some of the challenges owners may face in the first days/weeks/months of their pet’s life?
Bringing home a new pet adds so much joy but can also feel overwhelming. According to a recent study conducted by Royal Canin, nine in 10 puppy and kitten owners say their pet’s health is as important as their own. Nutrition matters and more than eight in 10 pet owners want to feed their pets the highest quality food available. The challenge is that only about half of pet owners feel they are well informed when purchasing food for the very first time.
What’s the difference between puppy/kitten and adults pet food?
The nutritional needs of growing pets are very different from an adult’s needs! Growing pets need balanced quantities of certain minerals and a failure to provide those key balances can result in future developmental disorders. An example would be with calcium and phosphorus. These two minerals are the key building blocks of strong bones and if not given in the right balance, bone disorders such as hip dysplasia and osteoporosis can occur many years later. Growing pets also need appropriate dietary calories, quality protein, and also benefit from specific nutrients to support their developing immune system and their developing brains. Seek help from your clinic care team to determine when the right time is for your pet to transition from a growth to an adult formula!
What are important ingredients/elements to look for in pet food for young animals?
When choosing pet food suited for young pets, the nutritional balance should meet your puppy or kitten’s precise needs according to age, breed, lifestyle and sensitivities. Finding the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins is important. For example, fats can help animals absorb certain vitamins and vitamins are needed to support the formation of blood cells and protect cells from damage. Other things to consider are digestibility, food safety or quality, size of meal and palatability—humans would also agree that the taste of food matters a great deal.
What are your top expert tips for caring for a new young pet?
Remember that puppy and kitten food should have quality protein and energy provision that aids growth. Meals should also support the immune system, be easily digestible, and have the right nutrients to aid cognitive, skeletal and cell growth. Knowing that pet owners are hungry to learn more about puppy and kitten nutrition, new pet owners can now look to Royal Canin’s Start of Life Report for go-to guidelines on finding the perfect balance of nutrition, meal portions, importance of hydration and more.
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