CAN OF WORMS Bugs shaking up pet food market

DEMAND for meat-free food is rocketing – and now pets can get in on the action.

A new dog food made from bugs instead of cows and chicken looks ready to revolutionise the industry.

And as pets are responsible for chomping one fifth of the world’s meat and fish, it could help the planet too.

TV vet Rory Cowlam from CBBC’S Pets Factor with Stacey Dooley, said: “As a conservationist and dog lover I am incredibly excited by the enormous potential for a dog food to reduce our pets’ collective carbon pawprint.”

A food called Yora is made from creepy crawlies plus British oats, potato and beetroot. It tastes just like kibble – the dry mix made into pellets for dog and cats to enjoy.

Insects are unbelievably nutritious, packed with essential proteins, fats, minerals and amino acids.

And they are easier to digest than chicken.

Traditional meat farming is said to be a leading cause of global warming but bugs use a fraction of the resources.

Yora’s grubs, reared in an

OUR vet Brian Faulkner, from Petplan, has 22 years of experience and is a freelancer working all over the country. Send your questions to Brian at: Petplan, Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via Petplan’s Facebook page f acebook. c om/

Petplanuk. £18million facility in Holland, even munch recycled vegetable matter that would otherwise go to waste.

Two billion people eat insects and the trend is expected to grow.

TV adventurer Bear Grylls has launched an insect protein bar packed with worms. Some trendy restaurants have beetles and crickets on the menu.

Yora founder Tom Neish said: “Animals and humans have been eating insects since the dawn of time. We believe we are the future of pet food.

“We have trialled 29 recipes to find the perfect combination.

“Yora lets dog owners take the lead in giving their dog a nutritious, tasty food while having a positive impact on the environment.”

Nigel Baker, chief executive of the Pet Industry Federation, added: “With increasing pressure on all of us to reduce meat intake, it’s clear the pet industry will need to diversify. We welcome this innovative product.”

Yora, which is hypoallergenic and free of growth hormones, costs £13.99 for a 1.5kg bag at yorapetfoods.com. MY cat has been litter trained since he was a kitten but has recently started going to the toilet around the house. What can I do about this?

Tasty

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