LONDON — THE PACK and Meatly have partnered to launch a limited release of a new dog treat — Chick Bites —made with cultivated meat at Pets at Home’s Brentford, London store. According to the companies, Chick Bites are the first pet food product made with cultivated meat to be available for general consumption in the United Kingdom.

The new Chick Bites treat combines plant-based ingredients with Meatly Chicken, a cultivated chicken ingredient, providing a nutritious and sustainable alternative to traditional dog treats. The treats went on sale Feb. 7 with only 750 units available to consumers.

Meatly Chicken is created using a single sample of cells taken from a chicken egg. From this sample, the company can produce enough cultivated meat to feed pets “forever,” according to Meatly. 

Previous feeding trials have proven the safety and palatability of Meatly Chicken in dogs. Additionally, nutritional research has also shown that the ingredient’s protein profile is comparable to traditionally reared chicken breast, containing all essential amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins to support pet health.

“We’re incredibly excited to introduce cultivated meat to the pet world,” said Owen Ensor, founding chief executive officer of Meatly. “Just two years ago this felt like a moon shot. Today we take off. It’s a giant leap forward — toward a significant market for meat which is healthy, sustainable and kind to our planet and other animals. We’re proud to work alongside fellow pioneers Pets at Home and THE PACK for this momentous endeavor.

Source: Pets at Home

“It’s also a day to celebrate our incredible team at Meatly,” he added. “Despite only raising 1% of total European cultivated meat investment, we are the first company to sell cultivated meat in both the United Kingdom and European Union. At Meatly, we’re proving the potential of cultivated meat, and that there is an efficient and cost-effective route to market.”

Since its launch in 2021, THE PACK has been committed to creating sustainable, plant-based dog foods. The company originally focused on wet formats, but has since expanded its offerings to include kibble. In addition to expanding its product line, the company has also ramped up its retail presence throughout the United Kingdom.  

“The launch of our Chick Bites treats is a watershed moment for the pet food industry,” said Damien Clarkson, co-founder and CEO of THE PACK. “Cultivated meat offers a tasty, low-carbon, and healthy protein source, which has the potential to eliminate farmed animals from the pet food industry.

“Our mission at THE PACK is to develop highly nutritious products that dogs love, and we are delighted to partner with Meatly and Pets at Home on this world’s first,” he added. “For us this is a continuation of our work in developing high-quality, alternative protein products for all dog lovers.

As one of the United Kingdom’s leading pet care providers, Pets at Home’s footprint includes 450 retail locations, more than 350 grooming salons and nearly 500 veterinary practices across the United Kingdom. The company is also one of Meatly’s largest investors, and now is the first retailer in the world to sell pet food made from cultivated meat, according to Pets at Home.

“At Pets at Home, we’re guided by our purpose to create a better world for pets and the people who love them, and that includes looking after our planet,” said Anja Madsen, chief operating officer of Pets at Home. “We’re also always looking to the future of pet care, and to make sure we’re developing and providing the products that matter to our customers. This mindset is best demonstrated by our investment in Meatly. We are thrilled to be working with Owen and the team to provide cultivated meat pet food products to our customers for the first time in the world.

“This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of pet food and will be a game-changer for the industry,” he added.

Following the launch of Chick Bites, Meatly plans to raise additional funds to expand its production and make Meatly Chicken more widely available to companies in the next three to five years. The company is also planning additional collaborations with THE PACK and Pets at Home.

“We’re just getting started,” Ensor said. “Next we’ll scale our production and make products more widely available to consumers.”

Read more about new pet food and treat products.