Gus, the big boss at Ziggy, had the honour of interviewing veterinarian Dr. Géraldine Blanchard, who formulates all of Ziggy's delicious recipes.
With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Blanchard is one of the most renowned veterinary specialists in animal nutrition. She tells us (almost) all about her journey, her work and her furry friends...
Gus: Hello Dr. Blanchard, thank you again for accepting this purrsonal interview. I'm so excited because you're the goddess of our food bowls. For those who don't know, could you tell us about your background?
Dr. Géraldine Blanchard: Hello Gus, thank you, it’s an honour. First and foremost, I'm a veterinarian. It's a calling I first had when I was 5 years old, and I pursued that dream. I studied at the Alfort Veterinary School in France, and I've been a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine since... 1994! Initially, I wanted to be an equine surgeon. But during my studies, I took a slightly different path.
I began my specialisation in veterinary nutrition with a doctoral thesis, so I'm also a doctor in nutrition. My research focused on feline obesity, fat and cholesterol metabolism, and a condition called hepatic lipidosis. During that time, I also prepared for the veterinary school “agrégation” in nutrition, then the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN) diploma. I taught at ENVA until 2006, then in 2007 at the University of Queensland in Australia. When I returned to France, I established my private practice as an animal nutrition consultant.
Gus: Meoooow! Four years ago, you agreed to partner with a brand for the first time. Why did you say yes to Ziggy?
Dr. Blanchard: That's a good question, Gus. Over all these years, I've cared for a lot of animals during my nutritional consultations, and I continue to do so. I've prescribed and formulated homemade, commercial, and mixed diets.
I've also worked as a consultant for numerous pet food companies worldwide.
I've provided advice on formulating product ranges, guided ingredient selection, set up scientific studies, trained nutrition teams... But I've always refused to put my name on anything because the advice, even from a specialist, isn't always followed, or the requested products weren't in line with my standards.
If you're a plumber, you can help people by fixing their shower water supply. But they haven't always chosen a water-saving shower, a good hot/cold water mixer, or easy access that reduces the risk of falling. So, you wouldn't put your name on that bathroom!
When Alyosha and Marie contacted me, we talked a lot. The project was clear. For me, putting my name on something meant having complete control over the products. We discuss everything to ensure it aligns with the brand, of course. But there can’t be compromises on product quality. If it's not nutritionally acceptable, knowing what we do about cats, it’s simply not possible.
This allows me to stand behind every Ziggy product with a clear conscience - I might even say with a scientific conscience.
Gus: How long does it take you to create a recipe? For example, for the Christmas wet food...
Dr. Blanchard: Another good question. The answer could be 5 minutes or 25 years!
The idea for a recipe can come in a flash. We discuss an idea, a concept with Marie, and I apply a kind of personal evaluation grid that's both gastronomic and scientific. That part is quite quick. My experience and knowledge of raw materials then allow me to propose a formulation. Finally, we need to face reality: check the availability of ingredients and composition, conduct trials, analyse the results to see if reality proves the concept. Sometimes we get it right the first time. Sometimes, we need to make adjustments and carry out more tests. Depending on the recipes, it actually takes one to two years to develop a product.
Gus: Among all Ziggy products, which was the most complicated to formulate and why?
Dr. Blanchard: The wet food was very complicated to develop. It took us two years of work, with lots of testing, especially in production. This is due to our choice of raw ingredients. Using textured ingredients and mechanically separated meat makes production much easier. We wanted a mixture of muscle meat (while not slaughtering animals just for pet food) and some organ meats, cut vegetables but not reduced to puree or mousse. With all the other nutrients, but not just reconstituted pieces in sauce. It might not be obvious, but creating Ziggy wet food is exceptional: we achieve a composition very close to a homemade diet, extremely high quality and digestible, without starch, a complete food with few, well-balanced minerals and of course meeting cats' nutritional needs.
Gus: You’re one of the world's most renowned veterinary specialists in animal nutrition, particularly feline nutrition. Why cats in particular?
Dr Blanchard: I have a passion for both horses and cats. They are very different nutritionally, almost opposites! But these two animals have one thing in common: the more you try to constrain them, the less you master them. Maybe that's what attracts me. They say God created cats so that humans could pet tigers. I love that idea. It really speaks to the veterinarian's love of wildlife!
Gus: Why is it so difficult to feed a cat properly?
Dr Blanchard: Cats served humans by protecting their crops from rodents. They are domestic animals, but they remained wild as they had to feed themselves, even while living alongside humans. Nutritionally, a cat is a strict carnivore. We think they're domesticated, but their entire metabolism and a good part of their brain have remained genetically unchanged from their original wild cat ancestor. This makes them fascinating scientifically, but not straightforward if you want to respect their biology!
Gus: We all want to live the best of our 9 lives. What's your best nutrition advice for living as long as possible?
Dr Blanchard: Don't eat too much and keep your figure, Gus. That's the best advice I can give you to live longer with fewer illnesses. It's been proven in dogs too.
Gus: Do you have any tips for super fussy cats? Those with a more than delicate palate...
Dr Blanchard: Try Ziggy wet food! But be careful, as you know Gus, cats are neophobic. They need time to accept new things. Time to feel secure. First, make gradual transitions when changing food. Offer a new food in very small quantities, once a day, for several consecutive days, up to 2 and sometimes 3 weeks... Don't give up too quickly! With cats, you need to be patient.
Gus: What about a cat that’s a bit too greedy?
Dr Blanchard: The trick is to provide more food to satisfy their appetite without adding too many calories...
Switch to a mainly wet food diet, give just the right amount for their optimal weight - the weight of a cat of that size who's in perfect shape. Split this amount over 4 meals (morning when you wake up, before leaving home, when returning, and in the evening) or more. And add diced courgettes if that's not enough.
Gus: You've met thousands of cats during your career. What still surprises you most about us fluff balls? We can be a bit strange sometimes...
Dr Blanchard: After all this time, nothing really surprises me anymore, because anything is possible! But they all amaze me, as each one is different. I love the softness of a well-fed cat's fur and that little purr when you pet them on the head or neck.
Gus: Do you have a furry friend in your life?
Dr Blanchard: Yes, her name is Nell, and she's obviously the most wonderful cat in the world.
Gus: Do you have a soft spot for any particular cat breed?
Dr Blanchard: Nell is an Abyssinian. I couldn't be unfaithful to her! I have a soft spot for short-haired cats. Sorry Gus!
Gus: That's okay, I have other big admirers... Besides your job, do you have other passions? I love scratching the sofa and watching pigeons.
Dr Blanchard: Gus, I love horseback riding, it's an immense pleasure, you can discover nature and get close to animals without disturbing them. And a good gallop on the beach is always magical.
Gus: One last question, I promise. What would you like to say to all the members of the Ziggy Family?
Dr Blanchard: Thank you for your trust. You’ve made the right choice.
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