New insect dog food aims to shrink UK’s carbon pawprint

Launching in January 2019, new pet food brand Yora has made a pledge to provide dogs with a healthy, delicious diet while reducing their environmental impact. Pets are estimated to consume around 20 percent of the world’s meat and fish, a statistic which is set to grow further with the trend for feeding human grade meat to dogs and cats. Yora is 100 percent natural, free from artificial preservatives and made with nutritious insects which the company claims is better for pets and the planet. The kibble features little grubs combined with British grown oats, potato and natural botanicals. For years, environmental experts have proposed insects as the food source that can end world hunger without harming the planet. Insects can help to provide proteins, fats, minerals and amino acids - and are said to be easier to digest than chicken,. Insects use a fraction of the resources to farm and Yora’s grubs are reared in a brand new, £18m high tech facility in Holland. The grubs also consume recycled vegetable matter that would otherwise go uneaten. When compared to beef farming, Yora’s grubs need just two percent of the land and four percent of the water to produce each kilogram of protein, which means they generate 96 percent less greenhouse emissions. The insects grow naturally at a rapid pace, reaching full size in just 14 days, eliminating the need for growth hormones or antibiotics. Yora is supported by a team of veterinary experts including TV vet Dr Rory Cowlam, who said: “Yora provides a healthy, high protein alternative to conventional kibble. It’s hypoallergenic, and free from antibiotics and growth hormones. Pets love the taste - plus it’s great for the planet. “As a keen conservationist and dog lover, I am incredibly excited by the enormous potential for this dog food to reduce our pets’ collective carbon pawprint.” The insect protein in Yora offers a higher quality protein than the by-products found in most pet foods. Yora features tasty and nutritious ingredients like kale, seaweed and chicory which all have added benefits for your dog including Vitamin C, improved digestion and anti-inflammatory properties. Tom Neish, founder of Yora, added: “Animals and humans have been eating insects since the dawn of time and we believe Yora is the future of pet food. We have trialled 29 recipes to find the perfect combination of great tasting ingredients and are very proud of the end result.” “Yora enables dog owners to take the lead in giving their dog a nutritious, tasty food whilst having a positive impact on the environment.” Nigel Baker, chief executive of the Pet Industry Federation, said: “With increasing pressure on all of us to reduce our meat intake, it’s clear that the pet industry will need to diversify, and we welcome this innovative new dog food product.” Yora is available from 150 major pet stores across the UK in January, and costs £14.99 per 1.5kg bag or £49.99 per 6kg bag.