Recent years have seen a surge in research in areas of insect-based food. This is a highly emerging topic in today’s world. Given that there is a rapid growth in demand for proteinous foods insect-based protein is one such untapped area. While many of you reading this might be saying “Ewwww”, this is definitely not the case for your pets. Your pets aren’t concerned about you feeding them insect-based protein, as long as it keeps them satiated. In fact, insect-based protein foods might even be better than the regular food that your pet is consuming right now.
The History of Insect-Based Pet Food
While this notion may appear to be very contemporary and trendy, it is actually rather old. In many countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, insects have long been a staple of the diet. Many societies have historically relied on insects to meet their protein needs. It’s just that it’s been a hot topic recently.
Because of the environmental impact of traditional cattle farming, insect-based pet food has recently gained popularity. Crickets, mealworms, and black army fly larvae have been researched and are still being studied as protein sources.
Types of Insect-Based Pet Food
Just like your regular pet food has so many varieties available, so does your insect-based pet food. Given below are a few which are readily available in the market. Be informed, that since more and more research is being conducted in this field, you might see more varieties out there in the market in the coming days.
- Cricket-Based Pet Food: Crickets-based pet foods are vanilla-flavored ice-creams in pet foods. Besides, they are high in protein content and sustainable farming practices. Cricket-based pet food often comes in the form of dry kibble or treats and is suitable for a variety of pets, including dogs and cats.
- Mealworm-Based Pet Food: Mealworms are another commonly used insect in pet food production. They are extremely nutritious as they are rich in fats. It’s also available in various forms such as kibbles.
- Black Soldier Fly Larvae-Based Pet Food: Black soldier fly larvae can be easily raised on organic waste, making them super duper sustainable, and reducing the strain on land and resources. It is also available in dry and wet forms making it a great choice.
The Benefits of Insect-Based Pet Food
- Sustainability: Insects require significantly fewer resources, such as water and land, to produce. Heck, you can even raise them on waste products as discussed before. Now compare that to traditional livestock. They also produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, making insect farming a more sustainable option.
- Eco-Friendliness: Insect farming generates less waste compared to conventional meat production which if you don’t know already, has a massive carbon footprint. This also reduces deforestation and overfishing, which are major causes of environmental degradation.
- Nutrient-Rich: Insects are abundant in nutrients, high-quality lipids, and protein. So your dogs are not missing out on a healthy supper simply because they are insects.
- Reduced Allergies: Some pets develop sensitivities to particular meat-based diets, which is a well-known phenomenon. If this describes your pet, then insect-based pet food can be really beneficial.
Some Common Concerns
- Safety: Insect-based pet food undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets safety standards. So make sure to purchase products from reputable manufacturers who have proper certifications. Don’t be fooled by any product claiming sustainability.
- Taste and Acceptance: Many pets readily accept insect-based food, but transitioning may require patience. Here is a great way to deal with this: start adding small amounts of insect-based food to their already available pet food, and watch them grow fond of this new food.
- Availability: It is fairly easy to look for insect-based pet food, you can even find it on Amazon or eBay. Some sites are even dedicated to selling just this variety of pet food.
If you are a pet owner who also cares about the environment and wants to save money on your dog food, insect-based pet food becomes an excellent alternative. While the idea of feeding insects to our pets may take some getting used to, it is one of the most satisfying solutions available. The pet food industry is evolving, and we will witness an increase in this in the future days. So, what are you holding out for? Try that new flavor on your Tommy and let us know how it goes in the comments section.
