Meatly, the UK based cultivated-meat company, has successfully completed the first feeding trials using cultivated meat in pet food, showing positive results for its lab-grown chicken product. The trials, conducted in collaboration with Treat Therapeutics, involved 31 dogs from 14 different breeds across the UK. The findings indicate that dogs preferred Meatly’s cultivated meat over their regular diets.
The trials included 134 meals over both a one-day and a two-week period. Dogs fed Meatly Chicken showed a higher preference for the food, with 75% of owners reporting that their dogs enjoyed it more than their baseline diet. Additionally, half of the dogs continued licking their bowls after finishing their meals, a sign of high palatability. No adverse effects were observed throughout the trials, which also included veterinary checks and feedback from dog owners.
Meatly’s cultivated chicken pet food is made from lab-grown meat combined with plant-based ingredients. The trials were part of the company’s efforts to bring cultivated meat to the pet food market. Meatly received regulatory approval earlier this year from the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA), Defra, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, making it the first cultivated meat company to secure clearance for pet food sales in the UK.
The success of the feeding trials paves the way for Meatly’s retail launch in early 2025. The company has also secured new investment from Pets at Home, DSM-Firmenich Venturing, JamJar, and Joyful Ventures to support its growth. Meatly will host a webinar on December 9 for veterinarians and pet food manufacturers to discuss the nutritional benefits and safety of its cultivated chicken pet food, as it prepares for the upcoming launch with its first brand partner.
