The Guardian: Pets were offered to feed insects to save the planet
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Meat-based cat and dog food production has proven to be as harmful to the atmosphere as the annual emissions from 13.6 million cars. For the sake of saving the planet from global warming, experts interviewed by The Guardian suggested switching pets to food from insects.
Scientists at the University of California Los Angeles estimate that pet food accounts for about 25 percent of the meat industry's carbon footprint – 64 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. A significant part of emissions is associated with raising and keeping livestock.
Experts advised to replace cows, chickens and pigs with insects – grasshoppers, mealworms and black flies. Preliminary research has shown that farming these species on a farm would harm the planet less and that feed based on them is rich in protein, healthy fats, oils, vitamins and minerals.
The Dutch company Rabobank predicts that the insect-based cat and dog food market will grow 50-fold by 2030 as more pet owners begin to change their lifestyle for the sake of the environment. However, Andrew Knight, professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Winchester, believes that traditional consumer aversion to food from insects may be a barrier to the spread of less dangerous food for animals. In addition, these feeds tend to be more expensive.
A survey by the manufacturer of Lovebug, a new type of cat food line, found that 47 percent of respondents are willing to consider insect food for their pets. About 87 percent of those surveyed noted that they pay attention to environmental friendliness when choosing food for pets.
Lovebug assured that cats do not hesitate to eat insects, for them it is normal food. However, experts advised owners to smoothly transfer pets to a new type of feed. Initially, the diet should be 75 percent of the usual food and 25 percent of insects. Then you should gradually increase the proportion of organic food, but it is better to consult a veterinarian first.
Previously, representatives of the food industry predicted the popularity of insect dishes in the human diet. Experts predicted the greatest growth in demand for chicken and canned tuna from larvae and grasshoppers.
