Whenever I head to the pet food store, I’m simultaneously overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice available on the shelves and disappointed by the limited selection of alternatives that don’t rely on traditional animal agriculture.
The good news for those looking for more sustainable alternatives is that the alt-protein pet food sector has been slowly inching forward (and occasionally stepping back, as you’ll see below), but there has recently been a surge of news in this space.
First up, this week German pet food manufacturer Marsapet, in partnership with Calysta, launched “MicroBell,” a dry kibble featuring FeedKind Pet protein produced via gas fermentation. Gas fermentation uses microbes to produce protein, eliminating the need for arable land or animal ingredients.
Last month, Meatly became the first company globally to offer pet food made from cultivated meat. Partnering with plant-based dog food brand THE PACK, Meatly introduced “Chick Bites,” a limited-release dog treat that blends plant-based ingredients with Meatly Chicken. Following this launch, Meatly is focused on scaling production and making cultivated pet food more widely available. The company plans to raise additional funds to expand production and distribute Meatly Chicken to more retailers over the next three to five years. Future collaborations with THE PACK and Pets at Home are also in the pipeline.
Finally, despite positive news from both the cultivated meat and gas fermentation fronts, the industry faces challenges. Wild Earth, a vegan pet food startup that gained prominence after securing a deal on “Shark Tank” in 2018, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month. The company reported $2.4 million in assets against $12.6 million in liabilities. Co-founder and CEO Ryan Bethencourt—who has been one of the most influential voices in alternative proteins over the past decade—cited difficulties in securing venture capital and managing debt as contributing factors.
Bethencourt remains optimistic despite the bankruptcy. “I don’t think this is the end of the Wild Earth story.”
Leave a Reply