Dog treats made from lab-grown chicken have gone on sale at a UK pet retailer in what is being claimed as a world first.
The food, developed by Meatly, combines plant-based ingredients with cultivated meat – made by growing a single sample of cells from a chicken egg.
The firm says the treat, called Chick Bites, contains all the essential amino acids, critical fatty acids, minerals and vitamins needed for pet health and claims it is “just as tasty and nutritious as traditional chicken breast”.
Pets at Home believes it is the first company in the world to sell cultivated meat for pet food which is produced by growing cells, and does not require the raising or slaughter of animals.
Meatly founding chief executive Owen Ensor said: “It’s a giant leap forward, toward a significant market for meat which is healthy, sustainable and kind to our planet and other animals.”
But the company, whose largest investor includes Pets at Home, has competition from rivals keen to exploit a demand from pet owners for more sustainable ingredients.
Austrian-American start-up BioCraft has been developing cultivated mouse meat for dogs and cats.
Part of the challenge for these companies has been that the process is expensive and complex, delaying getting products to market.
In May 2024, BioCraft claimed it had managed to slash costs and plans to release its pet food by early 2026.
Meanwhile, in February 2024, US firm Hill’s Pet Nutrition said it had been collaborating with manufacturer Bond Pet Foods to “formulate test products”.
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