Meatly, a cultivated meat firm based in the UK, has announced the launch of the world’s first cultivated meat dog treat, 'Chick Bites'.

This product, created in collaboration with plant-based dog food brand The Pack, will be available in a limited release at Pets at Home locations, starting February 7 2025.

This launch follows Meatly’s achievement in July 2024, when it became the UK’s first regulatory-approved supplier of cultivated meat.

The introduction of Chick Bites marks a significant milestone, as it represents the first instance of cultivated meat being used in pet food available for commercial sale worldwide.

Chick Bites combine cultivated Meatly Chicken with plant-based ingredients, offering a nutritious alternative to traditional dog treats.

The product is designed to meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable and healthy pet food options, allowing pets to enjoy familiar flavours while promoting environmental responsibility.

Last October, in our ‘Start-up Spotlight’ series, we spoke with Owen Ensor, founding CEO of Meatly, about their milestone achievement – securing 'Europe's first' approval to sell cell-based meat. Read more here.

Meatly’s approach aims to provide a viable solution to the challenges associated with conventional meat production, which often involves significant resource usage and environmental impact.

The production process for Meatly Chicken is notable for its efficiency. A single sample of cells taken from one chicken egg can yield enough cultivated meat to sustain pet food production indefinitely.

This method not only ensures a consistent supply of high-quality protein but also addresses concerns related to animal welfare and sustainability.

Pets at Home, a key investor in Meatly, is the first retailer globally to offer cultivated meat pet food, aligning with its commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of pet food products.

The retailer’s chief operating officer, Anja Madsen, highlighted the importance of innovation in pet care, stating that this partnership reflects a forward-thinking approach to developing products that resonate with environmentally conscious consumers.

Owen Ensor, Founding CEO of Meatly, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, describing it as a 'giant leap forward' in the cultivated meat sector.

He noted that despite securing only 1% of total European cultivated meat investment, Meatly has established itself as a pioneer in the market, demonstrating the potential for efficient and cost-effective routes to commercialisation.

Damien Clarkson, CEO and co-founder of The Pack, said: “We’re incredibly excited to introduce cultivated meat to the pet world. Just two years ago this felt like a moon shot."

"Today we take off. It’s a giant leap forward – toward a significant market for meat which is healthy, sustainable and kind to our planet and other animals. We’re proud to work alongside fellow pioneers Pets at Home and The Pack for this momentous endeavour."

He continued: "It’s also a day to celebrate our incredible team at Meatly. Despite only raising 1% of total European cultivated meat investment, we are the first company to sell cultivated meat in both the UK and EU".

"And we’re just getting started. Next we’ll scale our production and make products more widely available to consumers.”

#Meatly #petfood #cultivatedmeat #UK