Increasingly, insect protein is suggested as a more sustainable alternative to meat. Humans are not the only omnivores, however, which is why a new insect-based cat food should be on the market soon – and it won’t be the only one.
Why should cats (or dogs) eat insect food first?
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, meat production generally accounts for approximately 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are mainly in the form of gases such as methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide, which are washed up by cattle, produced by the fertilizers used to grow forage crops and released by the decomposition of manure.
In addition, large areas of forest are routinely cleared to create the grazing or arable land required for meat production. This adds to the greenhouse gas problem, as living trees trap carbon dioxide and prevent it from building up in the atmosphere – and release the stored gas once it’s felled.
Of course, deforestation also destroys the natural habitat of many plants and animals and enables the soil to erode into adjacent waterways and fill them with silt.
This is where bred insects come into play as they are rich in protein, minerals and fatty acids. However, large quantities of it can be raised in facilities much smaller than the pastures required for cattle. In addition, insects require significantly less food and water than conventional livestock and produce much less waste.
Given these selling points, several insect-based pet foods have recently hit or are about to hit the market. Lovebug is one of the newest and is believed to be the UK’s first insect-based cat food.
Lovebug sells for £ 12.99 per 1kg bag
Mars Petcare
The dry food was developed in collaboration between Mars Petcare and the sustainability agency Futerra and contains neither meat nor dairy products. Instead, it consists of dried and ground black soldier fly larvae, along with ingredients such as soy protein, wheat, corn and beet pulp fiber. Since such larvae are particularly rich in protein, they are also touted as a source of food for humans.
In addition, it is claimed that the larvae feed on vegetable waste that would otherwise be thrown away, all in a facility that runs entirely on renewable electricity. In addition, the non-plastic bag that the cat food comes in is fully recyclable.
According to Mars Petcare, Lovebug was developed in partnership with the UK-based Waltham Petcare Science Institute to ensure the snack is whole. It should be available later this spring – in the UK at least – and costs £ 12.99 (about US $ 18) for a 1kg bag. Interested parties can register for updates using the source link below.
Other insect-based cat food brands include Tomojo, Catit Nuna, Entoma, Conscientious Cat, and Purina Beyond Nature.
Source: Lovebug via Edie
