My Dog Loves Eating Insects! So Do Many Others, and Here’s Why

When you think of insect-based dog food, your mind may conjure up images of your dog eating live insects by snapping at moths, racing around the room at roughly head-height trying to catch the latest winged invader, or leaving nose art on the patio door as a result of their pursuit. But did you know that the use of insects to provide an alternative form of protein in pet food, is a real, eco-friendly alternative to traditional farmed or butchered meats?

One of the various promises you’ll see on many dog foods and treats, is that it forms part of a well-balanced diet, and a lot of companies use animals such as chicken, turkey, lamb, and beef, to act as the main protein in the dish – with an increasing number sourcing human-grade meats and ingredients to produce higher quality, safer products.

Here at Toro’s Choice, our natural dog treats are made entirely from a single specific protein (such as wild boar, venison, or cod), and we don’t offer any treats, chews, or dog biscuits made from chicken, as they’re the most industrially farmed livestock that causes the highest incidences of allergies and intolerances in dogs. We also make sure that none of our products contain any additives or nasty chemical ingredients, we keep them as natural and as simple as possible.

The use of insects is gaining traction as a way of providing the proteins, lipids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are essential to a healthy canine diet; and are being used in a number of natural dog treats and dog biscuits. Our Insect and Veg Bites, for example, are made from sweet potato, beetroot, carrots, celery root, pumpkin, potato, mealworms, and hermetia larvae – this blend was carefully chosen for its nutritional qualities, and the fibrous benefits of the vegetables.

In 2019, the UK saw its first insect-based dog food go on sale, and since then the number of brands offering insect protein dog food as an alternative have continued to grow.

But Why Insects? What Makes them Suitable for Use in My Dog’s Food?

When we talk about insects, we’re not talking about all of them – only certain species are allowed for use in pet-foods at present, this includes:

• Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens)
• Common Housefly (Musca domestica)
• Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)
• Lesser Mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus)
• House cricket (Acheta domesticus)
• Banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) 
• and Field Cricket (Gryllus assimilis)

There are various health, hygiene, and safety standards in the UK, EU and Worldwide for the use of insects, and bodies such as the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) which has set standards that need to be met before a product can be considered safe for consumption.

Producers do have specific guidelines on what and how they can cultivate, including Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 which restricts insect species that are eligible for farming, by establishing a list of ‘invasive alien species’ – this is designed to prevent the introduction of a species that may threaten surrounding biodiversity, ecosystems, and the environment, and Regulation (EU) No. 2017/893 which states that any insects farmed “should not be pathogenic, or have other adverse effects on plant, animal or human health.”

In the UK, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are responsible for Animal By-Product regulations, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are responsible for labelling and claims, feed safety, and feed hygiene regulations.

With insects being high in iron and protein, whilst being low in fat and calories, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation, “the nutritional value of insects does not differ from the nutritional value of other meat sources such as chicken, beef, pork and fish.” 

There are many dog breeds which are prone to weight gain, which can lead to a variety of health issues – including hip dysplasia, diabetes, and heart disease. Insect-based dog foods are lower in fat and calories than other meat alternatives and can be a helpful option when it comes to picking suitable food for a diet, that still provides the mineral and nutrient content required.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) President, Simon Doherty, when interviewed by BBC News said, “There’s a really exciting future for the use of insect protein for companion animals. It’s a fantastic opportunity – looking at insects to provide alternative sources of some of the nutrient ingredients we use in pet food diets,” he also added, when speaking about the use of the insects, that “some vegetarians might find that more palatable than killing cows or chickens.”

So, How are Insect-Based Dog Foods Environmentally Friendly?

Insect-based dog foods came about for two main reasons; their nutritional benefits and properties, and the reduced environmental impact their usage has compared to meat alternatives. For someone looking for more ‘green’ alternatives in their daily purchases, insect-based foods certainly have some compelling data to make the decision to switch to insect-based dog food easier.

There is some contention over the amount of meat that dogs consume globally, with Dutch firm Provix claiming it to be around 20%, and the BVA suggesting that it’s closer to 12% – but regardless, the figure is quite high, and it’s also estimated that pet food is responsible for a quarter of the environmental impact of meat production – this is in terms of use of land, water, fossil fuels, phosphates, and pesticides. 

Let’s put this into perspective:

• One kilogram (kg) of cricket protein takes less than one litre of water and 1.7kg of feed. To produce the same amount of beef, you’d require 22,000 litres of water, and 10kg of feed.
• When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, crickets emit 1815 times less than cows.
• Black Soldier fly larvae need to eat 1.5kg of food to gain 1kg, a cow requires 7kg to do the same.
• Compared to cattle, insect-based foods use 2% of the land, and 4% of the water per kg of protein.

A report by Fera and Minerva in 2019 stated that, “Although more research is required, preliminary reports suggest that insect production at large scale could reduce environmental impacts (less greenhouse gas emission, water, and land usage) compared to conventional livestock production.”  

A consideration in this reduction is the fact that it takes roughly two weeks to grow a tonne of insects for use, which allows for larger quantities of ingredients to be produced in the same time it would take to obtain farmed meat.

From an ethical and moral perspective as well, the use of insects, who have much shorter lifespans than farm animals, is seen as a kinder and more humane approach to providing our omnivorous pups with essential proteins. 

To Recap: What an Insect-based Diet Really Means for You and Your Pup

So, when it comes to choosing your dog foods and snacks, if you are looking for a more eco-friendly and sustainable approach, insect-based dog food do seem advantageous for:

• Being sustainable
• Reducing the use of fertilisers, pesticides, growth hormones and antibiotics
• Lowering greenhouse gasses and other harmful emissions
• Providing an equivalent level of nutrients and proteins as traditional meats.
• Being seen by many as a more palatable alternative for those looking for a different way of ensuring their dog has a well-balanced and healthy diet

It’s important that the insects are carefully farmed and sourced, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with introducing insect protein through snacks or treats, and combining them with traditional meats and proteins, since they’re naturally lower in fat – they can provide a new choice for your dog as well as or instead of their existing goodies.

We also make use of traditional meats and insect proteins, as well as fruits, vegetables, and other amazing natural ingredients – so you can find the foods that work the best for your dogs, and make the best choice for your own beliefs.

You can find our range of treats and food toppers here.