expressed opinion entrepreneur Contributors are their own.
Do you know the number one food allergen for dogs and cats? The answer may surprise most animal lovers.
It’s beef. And allergens 2, 3 and 4? Chicken, eggs and milk – yes, we’re feeding our pets the animal protein they’re allergic to, because the livestock industry’s hopes are keeping us in the dark.
But by investing in pet food biotechnology, we can actually force change in the industry.Investors are already getting returns from the same biotech impossible food and Beyond Meat For the manufacture of plant and cell-based proteins for humans. It’s time to do the same for the vegan pet food industry.
Related: The Future of Food: How Biotechnology Will Save Us All
The pet food industry sucks
Almost no one is talking about it.
A quarter of the meat we produce in this country goes to pets, when you look at the amount of pollution these factory farms are causing, the amount of land use, the destruction of the Amazon rainforest – all just to grow crops to feed these animals – This is a net negative.
Cleaning up the way we produce food and protein starts with reducing the use of livestock and replacing it with more efficient plant and cellular protein products, whether it’s land use, water use, energy use or carbon dioxide production.
About five years ago, I researched what companies like A perfect day and each company Plant-based and cell-based products for human food are being researched. People are really starting to get excited about this – but I don’t see anyone really pushing the envelope with new, healthier products for our pets.
I asked myself, “Who will transform the pet food industry with biotechnology?”
By leveraging biotechnology to create plant- and cell-based pet foods, we can not only transform pet food to be healthier, sustainable and cruelty-free, but we can force the industry to change itself. This is my personal mission and I hope other business leaders will join me.
related: Biotech startups raid to cultivate pet food
But aren’t dogs carnivores?
Let’s get this out of the way: Dogs are omnivores. Dogs co-evolved with humans to eat bread and carbohydrate-rich foods.dog actually produce more amylase (which helps carbohydrate metabolism) than their wolf ancestors. And, interestingly, always at the bottom of the dog’s allergen list are carbohydrates like wheat and corn.
Are Plant-Based Dog Foods Really Healthier?
In short, yes. It would be exciting to put science first when it comes to your dog’s biology, considering allergies and general health.
recent study A study of more than 2,500 dogs showed that those on a balanced plant-based diet showed fewer signs of poor health than dogs who ate a standard meat kibble. This is the largest study of its kind, and its results are game-changing for the pet food industry.
For business leaders, it means a huge opportunity, backed by science, to force change in a decaying industry. Biotechnology is at a moment of potential, but somehow investors are only focused on using it for human food — not on harnessing the potential of biotechnology to transform the entire pet food industry.
related: The pet food industry is developing gradually, the trend is changing
Nonetheless, the use of biotechnology to produce sustainable pet food requires caution. It must be nutritionally complete, with the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and especially amino acids, for dogs to survive and thrive on a vegan diet throughout their lives.
Investors should know that making a nutritionally complete dog food at home is extremely difficult – meaning that homemade vegan dog food is obsolete and vegan pet food crafted with biotechnology is on the rise.
Not all dog food is created equal. Do you know where I’m going?
We can create an intersection where scientists and entrepreneurs can collaborate (like I did with veterinarians, scientists, and nutritionists to develop plant-based protein for an AAFCO-compliant diet), transforming the pet food industry with a nutrient-dense vegan diet completely of.
A well-rounded plant-based diet is not only healthy, but it can help your dog with allergies and gastrointestinal problems. Have you ever seen dogs with skin allergies that are red and raw?
related: The future is… fungi? : The biotech company turns mushrooms into a luxury material used by Hermès
I know some veterinarians who switch dogs with these symptoms to a plant-based diet as a final test to see if they can actually help the animals. And, in my experience working with pet parents and veterinarians, it often works.
So learning — first and foremost — to disrupt the pet food industry with plant and cellular proteins will help save our environment. Not only that, but we know there’s a market for plant-based pet food for dogs with allergies. This is a plant-based diet for pet owners who want the healthiest food for their dogs.
The pet food market driven by biotechnology has huge potential. I believe the more people who join this mission, the better. I hope other entrepreneurs can look at this space and decide they want to join. So, who is with me?
