Meatly’s Lab-Grown Meat Successfully Completes Dog Feeding Trials

Lab-grown meat startup Meatly recently achieved a milestone in pet food innovation, concluding successful feeding trials for dogs.

The results were promising: dogs found Meatly’s cultivated chicken “highly palatable,” and the trials reported no safety concerns.

This breakthrough moves Meatly closer to the pet food market, aligning with its goal to offer a sustainable protein source for pets.

Regulatory and Financial Backing

In July, Meatly secured regulatory approval in the UK for its cultivated chicken product. This followed collaboration with regulatory bodies like the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and DEFRA.

Bolstered by recent investments from notable entities such as Pets at Home and DSM-Firmenich Venturing, Meatly is now focused on perfecting its product for a 2025 launch in partnership with a prominent pet food brand.

“Our focus is on perfecting the recipe and moving into production,” said Meatly CEO Owen Ensor. Initial availability will be limited, but the company plans to scale up production soon after.

Feeding Trial Insights

The trials, conducted by Treat Therapeutics, involved 31 privately-owned dogs of various breeds across the UK. Testing included both single-day and two-week trials, with health metrics monitored by veterinarians.

Observations noted that 75% of the dogs showed heightened enjoyment, immediately engaging with Meatly’s pet food. Even the placebo group, fed a plant-based diet, showed improved acceptance with Meatly’s cultivated chicken mixed in.

Environmental Benefits and Next Steps

Aside from palatability, Meatly emphasizes sustainability. Ensor highlighted that cultivated chicken could cut traditional poultry farming’s land use by 64% and water usage by 28%.

These environmental benefits are key as Meatly seeks to decrease reliance on conventional animal farming practices.

With plans to launch in early 2025, Meatly is positioning itself as a forward-thinking player in sustainable pet food.

By blending innovation with environmental consciousness, Meatly’s cultivated meat could represent a significant step toward greener, animal-friendly feeding options for pets.

Want to know how lab-grown meat could change pet food? Visit our homepage for insights into Meatly’s trials and the future of sustainable pet feeding.