When I was young we adopted a dog from our local shelter. She was very shy and timid and was just laying in our backyard, keeping her distance from everyone. Then, what seemed like out of nowhere, she somehow caught a cicada and ate it. I remember being extremely grossed out by it and my parents telling us kids that it was protein for her. That was a long time ago, and as it turns out, insects ARE a great source of protein for dogs and there has recently been a surge of insect-based dog food on the market for our pups to enjoy.
This post will look at what insect-based dog food is, the benefits to giving your dog insect-based dog food, sources of insects used in this type of dog food, and some examples of insect-based dog food available if you are looking to switch your dog’s diet.
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Related: Best Dog Food For Weight Loss, Senior Dog Food For A Sensitive Stomach
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative and should not be taken as medical advice. Talk to your veterinarian regarding any health concerns you may have for your dog.
What Is Insect-Based Dog Food?
Insect-based dog food is dog food with insects as the primary source of protein (instead of chicken or beef for example). These insects are packed with essential proteins, fats, and minerals vital for your dog’s well-being.
What Are The Benefits of Insect-Based Dog Food?
Insect-based dog food offers several advantages including excellent nutrition, low environmental footprint, and reduced allergenic potential, catering to both your dog’s health and the planet’s well-being.
Nutritional Advantages: Are Insect Based Dog Foods Actually Healthy?
Yes. Your dog can enjoy a balanced diet with insect-based dog food, which is high in protein and contains essential amino acids.
Insect protein supports a healthy gut microbiome and is also a source of vitamins and minerals, contributing to the overall nutritious profile of these foods.
Environmental Impact
You make a significant positive environmental impact when you choose insect-based dog food. This alternative protein source saves large amounts of water.
Producing insect protein requires less land and less greenhouse gas emissions.
Allergenic Potential Reduction: Is Insect Dog Food Good For Allergies?
Insect-based foods often have the advantage of being novel proteins for dogs, which means they can be less allergenic than traditional meat sources.
This makes such foods a wise choice if your dog suffers from food sensitivities or allergies, potentially leading to fewer adverse food reactions.
Check with your veterinarian before switching your dog to an insect-based diet if your dog suffers from allergies to be sure this is the best option for your pup.
Are There Any Disadvantages To Using Insect-Based Dog Food?
There are a few reasons why you might not want to feed your dog insect-based dog food.
As much as insects are a good alternative to animal protein for pups that are allergic to certain foods, some dogs can still have an allergic reaction to insect-based dog foods. This seems to be especially true for dogs that are allergic to mites. Dogs that are allergic to mites seem to react to insect-based dog foods that use mealworms as a protein source.
Another disadvantage to using insect-based dog food is the possibility of contamination of the insects used. This can occur during the breeding process, the preparation of the insects, and the cooking of them. Contaminants can include mold, fungi, and heavy metals.
What Are The Insect Protein Sources In This Type Of Dog Food?
Insect-based dog foods rely on insect species like black soldier fly larvae, crickets, and mealworms to provide adequate protein for your dog.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae
Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) are a high-quality protein source containing essential amino acids vital for your dog’s health.
They are also rich in lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties. The production of black soldier fly larvae has a low environmental footprint due to their ability to consume pre-consumer food waste.
Crickets
Crickets offer more than just protein. They are a complete source of nutrition with fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and B12.
The farming of crickets for dog food requires significantly less water and space than traditional livestock.
Mealworms
Defatted mealworms provide a protein level comparable to that found in traditional meats like pork.
Mealworm farming is scalable and can yield significant amounts of protein with minimal land use.
They also produce low greenhouse gas emissions, making them a more eco-friendly option for dog food.
How Does The Production And Processing Of Insects Work?
Stages of this type of dog food production ranges from the initial farming of insects to the methods used to process them into pet food.
Farming and Harvesting
As an example, insects such as the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are farmed for dog food due to their high protein content and rapid growth rate.
Production cycle for BSFL involves creating optimal conditions for the larvae to thrive, including controlled temperature and humidity.
The harvest occurs once they reach a suitable size and weight, ensuring a consistent quality of protein source.
Processing Techniques
After harvesting, insect proteins undergo a series of processing techniques to become palatable and nutritionally valuable for dog consumption. Processing includes:
- Drying: Removing moisture from harvested insects to prevent spoilage and to concentrate the protein content.
- Grinding: Milling dried insects into a fine powder to be used as a meal or to be integrated into kibble formulations.
- Extrusion: This technique is often used in creating dry pet food shapes and textures that are appealing to dogs.
Insect-Based Dog Foods For Your Pup
Here are a few examples of insect-based dog foods available. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Science Diet Sensitive Stomach And Skin
- Includes Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae.
- Contains insects raised in North America.
- Also has Pollock and Beet Pulp.
- Includes Vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Jiminey’s Cravin’ Cricket and Good Grub Dog Food
- Cravin’ Cricket contains crickets, sweet potato and quinoa.
- Good Grub contains grub and oats.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Neo Bites Digestive Aid Dog Food Topper
- Contains cricket, pumpkin, apples, ginger, and oats.
- Aids in digestion and immune support.
- Powder form.
- Made in the USA.
Open Farm Kind Earth Insect Recipe Dog Food
- Contains Black Soldier Fly Larvae, oats, and barley.
- Non-GMO.
- No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Go! Solutions Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Dog Food
- Contains dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae.
- Has dry chicory root as a prebiotic.
- Chicken free.
- No by-product meals.
- Grain free.
- Gluten free.
- Potato free.
- Wheat free.
- Corn free.
- Soy free.
- Made in Canada.
The landscape for insect-based dog food is growing, based on the demand for more sustainable food options to feed our pups and a greater awareness of the health benefits it can provide.
Dogs can still be allergic to this type of dog food, so be sure to discuss options with your veterinarian before giving insect-based dog food a try.
Check out this study published in Animals, about insect-based dog food for a good overview of the pros and cons to feeding your dog this type of diet.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.