The global pet food market is predicted to be worth $113bn

by 2025.

But it's not a great business for the planet.

A 2017 study estimated that in the United States,

pet food is responsible for a quarter

of the environmental impacts of meat production in terms

of the use of land, water, fossil fuels, phosphates,

and pesticides.

The US doesn't even have the highest rate of pet ownership,

and developing countries are catching up.

Now though, more meat-free products

for coming onto the market.

American biotech startup Bond Pet Foods

uses fermentation in the lab to produce cultured protein

sources.

It launched its first product in May this year

and in August, announced the creation

of an animal-free chicken meat protein.

Last year, US startup Wild Earth released

a high-protein, meat-free dog food.

Its main ingredient is yeast protein.

So far, the company has raised over $16m in funding.

British company Yora has taken a different approach.

It mixes grubs with oats, potato, vitamins, and minerals,

to make the dry dog pellets it's been selling since early 2019.

But the alternative market is hindered by price.

Vegan dog food can cost far more than meat-based equivalents.

And in the UK, insect-based dog food is up to four times more

expensive than budget brands.

Another challenge stems from the preferences

of the pets themselves.

Dogs are omnivores and can, in theory, survive on a vegan diet

with supplements.

But cats are carnivores and need their meat.

Finally, it's by no means certain

that lab-grown meat would actually be so much better

for the environment.

Recent Oxford University research

found that over the long term, artificial cultured meat

production that needs high-energy inputs

could actually increase global warming more than some types

of cattle farming.

The hunt for food that can be loved in equal measure

by both pets and the planet look set to continue.