Insect dog food? Ugh, many say. But at the same time, insect dog food is one of the most revolutionary developments of recent years. But what's behind it, and why is it becoming increasingly popular? Here you'll learn what insect dog food actually is, the advantages and disadvantages of insect-based dog food, and what you should definitely look out for when buying dog food with insects.
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About the author: Lea Reich
Lea is the founder of Alpenwuff and an expert in dog nutrition. Drawing on her extensive scientific training, the development of several Alpenwuff food varieties, and years of experience working with dogs, she summarizes current topics and shares her knowledge in our Alpenwuff blog.
What is insect dog food?
Insect dog food, as the name suggests, is dog food that uses insects as its primary protein source. This involves using specially bred insect species that are highly nutrient-dense and an excellent alternative to conventional animal proteins. The larvae of the mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor) and the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) are the most commonly used insect dog food based on extensive research data.
Benefits of dog food with insects
Insect dog food, as the name suggests, is dog food that uses insects as its primary protein source. This involves using specially bred insect species that are highly nutrient-dense and an excellent alternative to conventional animal proteins. The larvae of the mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor) and the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) are the most commonly used insect dog food based on extensive research data.
#1 Sustainable: A real lever for a lower CO2 footprint
Insect dog food is currently only fed to a small minority of dogs in Germany. This is a shame, because insects are the most efficient protein suppliers of all in terms of their water, space, and feed requirements, as well as the waste products and CO2 generated during rearing, as the Federal Environment Agency 's trend report "Meat of the Future" shows.
💧 Water
Water is needed in the production of animal protein for rearing the animals, the production process, and cleaning stables or breeding facilities. As the image above shows, the water consumption of chickens and insects is similarly low. Interestingly, larvae don't drink, but absorb their fluids from food and humidity.
🚜 Place
The biggest efficiency factor is the space required to raise insects for dog food. Insects naturally live in close quarters, reproduce extremely quickly under favorable conditions, have a short development cycle, don't require vast pastures or barns, and can even be raised in multi-story buildings. All of this makes them very efficient protein suppliers in comparison. While 100g of edible insect-based protein requires approximately 0.15m2, poultry, for example, requires at least twice that amount, and cattle eight to fourteen times that amount .
👩🌾 Food and waste
Insects also perform very well in terms of feed and waste products. This is because their rearing contributes to a sustainable circular economy: Some species, such as Hermetia illucens, used in Alpenwuff insect food, are particularly well-suited to converting organic waste into compost. This allows leftover products that would otherwise end up in the trash to be fed to these little climate heroes. A good approach to reducing food waste.
The end result is also impressive: Insects release fewer nutrients and waste into their environment than conventional protein sources such as pork, beef, or poultry. There is less soil and water contamination. Furthermore, the larvae are 100% edible, and no slaughterhouse byproducts are produced.
💨 CO2 emissions
Finally, of course, it's also about comparing CO2 levels. According to the trend analysis, 3.05 kg CO2 equivalent is required for 100g of beef, 0.41 kg CO2 equivalent for 100g of pork, 0.38-0.43 kg CO2 equivalent for 100g of poultry, and only 0.15 kg CO2 equivalent for 100g of insect-based protein.
#2 Hypoallergenic: The solution for dogs with allergies
More and more dogs are suffering from allergies. This is a similar phenomenon to that of humans—a real problem of affluence. Nevertheless, allergy sufferers among us know it: Allergies are nerve-wracking and can be very painful.
Dogs typically suffer from either environmental or food-related allergies . Food-related allergies lead to symptoms such as frequent itching, rolling, or licking after consuming a specific animal protein source. Allergy tests for dogs can reveal which foods your furry friend is allergic to, allowing you to adjust your daily routine accordingly.
Regarding Hermetia larvae for dogs, initial research shows that insect proteins only lead to food-related allergies in extremely rare cases. They therefore represent a good food alternative and offer treats for dogs with allergies.
#3 Animal-friendly: More ethically acceptable than conventional factory farming
Another advantage of insect dog food is its ethical acceptability compared to traditional factory farming. In conventional livestock farming, large animals such as cattle, pigs, and poultry are often kept in sometimes cramped and ethically questionable conditions, which causes environmental pollution, often requires medication, and can result in animal suffering. Insects, on the other hand, have different sensory perceptions and are bred on specialized farms tailored to their natural needs. By choosing insect dog food, you are supporting a form of animal production that is more ethically acceptable and less stressful for the organisms involved.
Disadvantages of insect dog food
🐶 Acceptance of the dog
Some dogs may initially be hesitant to eat insect food, especially if they've previously eaten other foods. It may take some time to adjust to the taste and texture.
💸 Price
Although insect production can be cost-effective in many aspects, the initial costs for establishing insect farms and for research and development are relatively high, while demand is still low. The limited availability of insects from German or European breeding is currently reflected in higher prices for the final product. If insects are sourced from Asia, final products can also be offered at lower prices. However, the quality of the insects is often difficult or even impossible to verify.
🧐 Cultural acceptance
In many cultures, the idea of using insects as food is still taboo. This can lead some pet owners to hesitate to feed their dogs insect food, even if it offers nutritional benefits.
Despite these potential drawbacks, many experts and pet owners believe that the benefits of insect dog food—particularly in terms of sustainability and nutritional physiology—far outweigh the drawbacks.
How do I recognize high-quality insect dog food?
The quality of insect dog food can be determined by several criteria. A transparent, open declaration of dog food that clearly lists the exact type of insects used and all other ingredients is a good start. High-quality products should also not contain unnecessary fillers or artificial attractants. Customer reviews and recommendations from veterinarians are also useful indicators of the quality of the food. Finally, the origin of the insects should be verifiable from sustainable and ethically acceptable sources. The conditions under which the larvae are reared is crucial. If insects are sourced from third countries outside the EU, monitoring the rearing conditions and therefore the quality is often only possible to a limited extent. For this reason, we recommend paying attention to production in Germany or the EU, especially with insect protein. As the following video shows, the focus here is on regionality, fair rearing conditions and consideration of the circular economy.
In summary, if you are considering insect-based dog food, be sure to ask yourself the following questions:
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Where do the insects come from?
During the development of our feed, we discovered that the supply of insects, especially from Asian countries, is large and significantly cheaper. However, a closer analysis reveals significant differences in quality, and the working and rearing conditions often cannot be determined transparently.
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Which insects are processed?
It's also interesting to consider which insects are processed, as the variety of insects is enormous. Proven and well-tested protein sources in dog food so far include Hermetia illucens—the black soldier fly—and the mealworm.
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What are the insects fed?
Another question that should be scrutinized is what the insects eat during their rearing. Insects can feed on a variety of foods, from carcasses to old vegetables. They can also live off "normal" livestock feed. A real contribution to sustainability is achieved when the insects consume organic waste products, thus contributing to a circular economy.
How good is dog food with insects? - What science says
Recent studies confirm that insect dog food is not only well-tolerated, but also particularly nutritious and highly digestible. According to various studies, insect dog food is rich in protein and of high quality. Compared to conventional foods, dogs fed insect protein often show improved digestion and a shinier coat.
Experiences with insect dog food
Many of our customers enthusiastically report the positive changes they have observed in their dogs after switching to dog food with insects – from increased energy to fewer allergy problems.
Reasons forcold-pressed dog food insects
Cold-pressed dog food is produced using a cold-pressing process. Cold-pressing preserves the insects' natural nutrients because the food isn't exposed to high temperatures, thus ensuring a gentler production process. This not only makes the food more nutritious but also provides a more intense flavor experience for your dog.
Dog Food Insects Brand Overview
In recent years, the number of brands offering insect dog food has increased, providing consumers with a wider choice. While some brands focus exclusively on insect protein, others incorporate it into their product line as one of several protein options. It's important to consider the origin of the insects, the processing method, and the " complete " status when choosing a brand to ensure you're choosing the best for your four-legged friend.
The well-known brands for insect dog food are:
- Alpenwuff : Hypoallergenic dog food made from insects (cold-pressed)
- Green Petfood: InsectDog Hypoallergenic (extruded, note: not a complete food, only diet food)
- Naturavetal : InsectVetal (cold-pressed, note: not a complete feed, only a supplementary feed)
- BugBell : Bug food (extruded, also as wet food flakes)
Frequently asked questions about insect dog food
#1 Is insect dog food safe for my dog?
Yes, it's not only safe, but also extremely nutritious! Studies show that dogs optimally utilize and accept insects.
#2 How do I switch from conventional dog food to insect dog food?
As with any food change , you should approach the transition to insect dog food gradually so that the dog's stomach can slowly get used to it.
#3 Why should I give my dog insect dog food?
Insects are more sustainable, often more digestible, and at least as nutritious. If you have an allergy sufferer, insect food is likely the solution you've been looking for.
Conclusion: Overcome your disgust and let your furry friends try
Trend studies cite disgust as the most common reason for humans rejecting insect food. However, as described above, these little insects can make a significant contribution as climate heroes when taken in large numbers. Therefore, our conclusion is: Overcome your disgust and let your furry friend try it!
Convince yourself of the benefits of insect-based dog food and take the first step toward a more sustainable and healthier future for your four-legged friend!
Of course, you can also get it from us – with our hypoallergenic, cold-pressed insect food.
What does "open declaration" mean?
The " open declaration " in the context of dog food refers to the transparent disclosure of information about the composition of the food in terms of the individual ingredients and their processed quantities.
"Open declaration" means that we transparently list all ingredients and their exact percentages in Alpenwuff food. So you always know exactly what's in every bag of Alpenwuff.
An open declaration serves to give pet owners clear information about the food so they can make informed decisions about their daily diet. By reading the declaration, pet owners can determine which main ingredients are contained in the food. This helps to rule out allergens, evaluate the quality of a food, and develop an understanding of a dog's behavior. For example, if a food consists primarily of corn, this is often reflected in its behavior. An open declaration therefore makes it possible to ensure that the food meets the dog's individual needs and promotes its health. In addition, the declaration ideally includes information about the manufacturer and the manufacturing process, which creates confidence in the product quality and traceability of the raw materials.
Why should cold-pressed food be better?
The comparison between extruded and cold-pressed dog food can be shown using several aspects that illustrate the advantages of cold-pressed food:
- Gentle manufacturing process: Cold-pressed feed is produced at lower temperatures (60°C). In contrast, extruded feed is produced at high temperatures (up to 200°C), resulting in a greater loss of natural nutrients.
- Better nutrient preservation: The gentle manufacturing process helps to better preserve the natural nutrients of the ingredients, similar to steam cooking. Due to the gentle temperatures, natural vitamins and nutrients in cold-pressed food remain largely intact.
- Better digestibility: Cold-pressed food breaks down quickly into its components in the dog's stomach and doesn't bloat when exposed to liquid like most extruded food briquettes. This means the nutrients are quickly accessible and digestible. The easier digestibility of cold-pressed food can help dogs experience fewer digestive problems. This leads to less bloating and an overall happier dog.
To what temperature is the food heated?
Our feed is gently cold-pressed at low temperatures to preserve nutrients. The cold press reaches a maximum temperature of approximately 60°C.
"Food without compromise" - We want more dogs to be fed healthy food!
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