Skip to Main Content

We use cookies to offer you a better experience, analyze site traffic and assist with our marketing efforts. By using this website you accept the use of cookies, outlined in our Privacy Policy.

Save $8 on large bag purchases of Skin + Coat Care and Sensitivities kibble for dogs. Grab your savings at your local pet store! (Participating stores only)

April 22, 2023

Sustainable Cat Food Proteins

  • Sustainability
  • Protein
  • Cat Food
Black and white cat engaging with GO! Insect Recipe kibble bag

We are what we eat, and what we eat has a profound impact on our planet. The same goes for what our cats eat.

We all know that it’s important to do our part to help pets, people, and our planet. But knowing, and doing, are two different things. Often the biggest thing that prevents us from “doing”, is feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to start. We’re here to help you, help our planet! One simple way to help is by selecting a cat food that uses sustainable protein ingredients.

But first, what is protein and why do cats need it?

Proteins are the building blocks of your cat’s body and consist of chains of amino acids. They can range in size from only a few amino acids to large, complex molecules. Check out our blog on how much protein does your cat need.

So what makes a protein sustainable? And why should you choose one?

Most simply put, sustainable proteins have less negative environmental impact than conventional proteins (such as beef, pork and chicken in pet food) – especially when looking at land use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Water is a finite resource, and many once-fertile areas now face annual droughts. And, GHG emissions factor into not only the raising of conventional proteins, but also into the processing and transportation of the ingredients.

Sustainable proteins may be produced from plant-based sources, renewable sources such as algae or mollusks, or alternative sources such as insects or yeast.
Christine Mailler
Christine MallierCommunity Relations & Sustainability Manager

Let’s look at a couple of these in more detail.

Insects

There are many types of insect protein on the market, and in general, insect proteins are some of the most sustainable alternative protein sources providing a novel, hypoallergenic cat food ingredient which uses far less land and water than livestock - a win-win for pets and our planet!

Specific savings for BSFL (black solider fly larvae) for example include:

  • Saves water, using 90% less compared to chicken
  • Saves land, using 90% less compared to chicken

Want to try an insect protein pet food for your cat? Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Insect Recipe made with a single-source Black Soldier Fly Larvae is an excellent sustainable cat food.

Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Insect Recipe for cats

Recommended Solution

Nutritious, Delicious + Sustainable Insect Protein

Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Insect recipe features sustainable insect protein and no chicken, by-product meals, grain, gluten, potato, wheat, corn or soy.

Yeast

Yeast is a rich source of essential amino acids, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron and zinc, making it a highly nutritious protein source. It can be produced with minimal land use, water consumption, and GHG emissions. Yeast is also becoming a popular upcycled ingredient – an extra sustainability bonus!

Algae

Algae is a very efficient protein source, as it can convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into protein without the need for extensive land use or resource consumption. It can also absorb carbon dioxide, which makes it a potential solution for reducing GHG emissions. Additionally, some species of algae can be grown using waste streams such as wastewater or agricultural runoff, reducing the need for additional resources.

Happy planet and happy pets

As our world’s population increases, the demand for protein for humans and for our cats increases also. If you are looking for more ways to reduce the carbon footprint of you and your cat, then consider choosing a sustainable cat food brand, made with sustainable proteins.


Author

Christine Mailler

Christine Mallier

Community Relations & Sustainability Manager

Christine has been an advocate leading sustainability initiatives in her professional life for over 25 years and has been championing sustainability at Petcurean since 2015. She is passionate about animal rescue and for more than 10 years has been volunteering at an animal shelter in her community.