Pet ownership can be extremely rewarding. Not only is it scientifically proven that spending time with our furry companions can boost our mood, they can also enable us to build better relationships and help to support children’s development.
But we can’t skirt around the environmental pawprint our pets can have. Especially when we think about the food they’re eating. Championing more sustainable cat food production has always been on the top of our list at Lovebug. We believe that we can contribute to a more sustainable future by switching to insect-based cat food.
We get it, insect-based cat food might sound unusual at first. But insects are actually a tremendous source of protein, especially for our cats who need to eat a nutritionally complete and balanced diet to support their overall health. Cats are obligate carnivores - which means they need to consume nutrients that can only be found in animal products. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations state that the nutritional value of insects doesn’t actually differ from the nutritional value of other meat sources, like chicken, beef, pork and fish. In fact, protein levels are often higher in bugs, with crude protein content in some species above 60%.
Our insect-based cat food benefits from all the protein and other nutritional value that bugs contain. Which is great news for your cat.
What makes insect-based cat food a sustainable alternative?
We all want to make decisions that positively impact the environment. However, it can be difficult to make these decisions last long-term. They need to become habitual to make a real difference and everyone needs to play their part. Switching up your cat food is a good place to start. Especially when we consider the positive impact that insect-based food can have.
Did you know that per kilo of protein, farming bugs takes up 80% less land than farming beef? This estimate of land saving factors in all stages of the production life cycle - from growing the crops and farming the animals to processing the ingredients used in the pet food.
The bugs are also farmed using more sustainable practices. They live completely separately from wild insects, in a warehouse that’s powered by 100% renewable energy. We’re passionate about making each and every step of the supply chain as sustainable as we can - and we’re always finding new ways to make it even kinder.
Lovebug is available on subscription, which means if your cat likes it (and most LOVE it), you can get it delivered to your door when you need it - making that planet-friendly choice much easier.
Fighting food waste with a more sustainable cat food
As well as farming a more sustainable base for our cat food, we’re also passionate about preventing food waste. In the UK, we waste 6.5 million tonnes of food each year, 4.5 million of which is edible. Whether it’s the last few bites of a meal you can’t finish or peelings from vegetables - it’s all good enough to eat and could contribute towards another dish.
Our kibble is powered by food waste. Our bugs are fed entirely on a diet of surplus plants, fruits and vegetables that are leftover from the human food chain. All of those discarded crusts of bread and carrot peelings are no longer contributing to food waste in the same way. Rather, they’re recycled back into the food chain, making our insect-based food an even more planet-friendly alternative to your cat’s favourite meal.
Delivering every bag in planet-friendly packaging
Plastic shouldn’t be the go-to packaging material for pet food. If we’re creating a sustainable alternative to your usual cat food, then we must extend this ethos to our packaging.
Every bag of Lovebug will arrive in paper packaging. It’s plastic-free and 100% recyclable. As such, it can be disposed of in your paper recycling bin when your cat’s enjoyed every last bite.
We always knew we wanted to create something that wasn’t just easy on your cat’s tummy, but also on the planet. We consider how to implement more sustainable alternatives at every step - from the bugs within our kibble to the way we package up and deliver your Lovebug order.
If you want to find out more about Lovebug and why it’s a nutritional alternative to your cat’s usual diet, get in touch! We’re always happy to explain how our insect-based cat food gives your furry friend everything they need, and how we’re keeping things planet-friendly along the way.