Sustainable pet food business Yora has introduced its first cat food, which it says contains the highest insect content of any cat food on the market.
Since launching its dog food and treats range in 2019, Yora has gained a following among environmentally-conscious pet owners. The company says these consumers have discovered ‘the benefits of insect grubs as an alternative meat that is just as nutritious as chicken fish or beef, but kinder on their pet’s stomach – and kinder to the planet’.
Yora Complete for Adult Cats is created from a blend of insect flour derived from the larvae of the black soldier fly. Insect protein is a BVA-approved alternative to traditional meats, is highly digestible and, compared with chicken or salmon, exhibits ‘strong antioxidant activity’.
Other ingredients in Yora’s food for felines include brewer’s yeast and fibrous veg along with 3% insect oil.
TV vet Dr James Greenwood said: “Yora is a healthy, high-protein alternative to kibbles made from conventional meats. It contains all the nutrients your cat needs to stay healthy – including added taurine, which is essential in a cat’s diet.
SUSTAINABLE
“As a lover of animals and the planet, I’m really enthused by the work that Yora is doing to reduce the environmental impact of pet food. The nutritional value of the new cat food means that cat owners don’t have to compromise their cat’s health to make more sustainable choices.”
New research commissioned by Yora found that 87% of cat owners say their cat chases and eats insects, with more than a third (34%) saying they see their cat do this very frequently or often. A similar proportion (36%) think insects are a normal part of a cat’s diet.
Glenn Rankin, MD of Yora Pet Foods, said: “Often the biggest hurdle for pet owners when switching to Yora is grappling with the idea of their pet eating insects. However, we can see from the diets of wild and feral cats – as well as the behaviour of our own cats, who frequently chase and eat bugs – that insects form a regular part of the feline diet. In reality, insects are no less nutritious than traditional meat sources, giving cats the protein, vitamins and minerals they need to flourish – all while having a significantly smaller environmental impact.
“Our grubs are fed left over vegetables that would otherwise go uneaten, and they only need a fraction of the water, land and energy of traditional meat farming. That’s why vegan and vegetarian pet owners are choosing Yora as a healthier, more natural alternative to plant-based pet foods – which cannot fulfil many of the nutritional requirements for a feline diet.”
