Picture this: you’re strolling down the pet food aisle, trying to find the perfect meal for your furry friend. There are endless options, from chicken and beef to salmon and lamb. But have you ever considered a plant-based diet for your pet? Yes, you read that right – meat substitutes like soy aren’t just for humans anymore.
In recent years, plant-based diets have become increasingly popular for health, ethical and environmental reasons. And now, this trend has extended to pet food. But what exactly are plant-based foods, and are they beneficial for our pets?
Plant-based foods are created from ingredients like grains, legumes and vegetables, and are designed to mimic the look and taste of meat. They provide an alternative source of protein to animal-based products like meat, dairy and eggs. So, is it time to switch your pet to a plant-based diet?
Animaltalk went straight to the source to explore this new trend and spoke to Dr Paul Bartels, CEO and founder of Mogale Meat Co, to learn more about the benefits of plant-based pet food and whether it will become more accessible and affordable. Get ready to be surprised by what we learnt.
When can we expect to see lab-cultivated meat in pet food in South Africa?
This is a good question. I believe it is an important market to address. Studies show that a quarter of all meat consumed in the United States is by pets, and I would not be surprised to see a cultivated-meat pet-food company established in South Africa sometime soon, although I’m not aware of any specific projects in the immediate future.
The establishment of such a business would largely depend on funds provided by an investor or venture capitalist.
How does meat cultivated in a lab differ from ‘normal’ meat?
There are essentially no differences between cultivated meat and conventional meat, as cultivated meat consists of the same main muscle components as conventional meat, namely fat, connective tissue and muscle cells. Of course, there are no bones, blood or nerves in cultivated meat.
How does the nutritional value, especially protein, compare to traditional meat?
The nutritional value is essentially the same as that of conventional meat, with cultivated meat having similar qualities and quantities of all the amino acids that make up animal protein. These proteins, however, do not possess all of the essential amino acids that are found in meat or some other nutritional components, so they need to be supplemented to meet the requirements of a balanced diet. Cats need a high-protein diet, and plant-based food will certainly meet their requirements.
What are the costs of producing plant-based and lab-cultivated meat, and how will the costs affect the price of pet food containing these products?
The cultivated meat industry is still in a research and development phase, and the current cost to produce cultivated meat is still prohibitively high. It will take at least five to 10 years for the production price to drop sufficiently for the products to become affordable to the average person.
Are plant-based foods and lab-cultivated meat just a fad, following human trends? Or can we expect this to become the norm?
Without a doubt, cultivated meat will become a staple meat cost source for millions of people. It has to, as we cannot continue to expand conventional livestock production due to the deleterious effects of factory farming.
We know that intensive conventional livestock production, or factory farming, produces more than 14% of all greenhouse gas emissions, uses excessive water and land (for fodder for feedlots) and is a significant contributor to antibiotic resistance in people, pets and other animals.
Patience is key
As South African pet owners, we know that our pet friends deserve the very best. While plant-based pet foods are a growing trend globally, it may be a while before they become an affordable substitute for regular pet food in our country. Patience will be key as we wait for the market for these products to grow and for the cost to come down.
But don’t lose hope! As more and more people become aware of the benefits of plant-based diets for pets, we can expect to see significant progress in the coming years. We’re already seeing a shift towards sustainable and ethical pet food choices, and it’s only a matter of time before plant-based options become a mainstream option for pet owners in South Africa. So keep your eyes peeled – the future of pet food is looking bright!
