Commercial pet food based on insects for animal protein

[JennyM]

Hi everyone , I'm looking for research done on using insects as a protein source in pet food. I'm noticing that the marketing of these proteins is starting to gain wind. I find it a bit tricky to source independent research on this subject, how and why this type of protein is valuable in larger quantities to dogs and cats. I'm wondering about pets ability to digest this and what the long term effects are (if any)? Lots of questions around this subject. I'm thankful for advice on this protein source and if any type of research is available to look up. Thanks. /Jenny

 

[Dr. Jeff]

These are great questions Jenny (and many of us have the same ones)!

I don't know the answers and @Dr. Jean may be the best person to ask (either here or on her webinar tonight). @Dr. Christina or @Dr. Sara may also know.

A good place to start may be with the manufacturers of the specific foods or treats that use crickets or other insects.

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

At this time, the only *legal* insect protein is Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) for adult dogs. That has not stopped companies using other insects (crickets, silkworms, mealworms, housefly larvae) and for other uses (cats, puppies, etc.). We are all waiting to see which state will be the first to slap a "stop sale" order on one of these foods! There hasn't been a ton of research though more is happening all the time. A study in cats found that replacing poultry byproduct meal with BSFL didn't affect palatability but reduced digestibility. In dogs, digestibility was similar for both insect and meat ingredients. There are many potential advantages to using insects, but as usual the profit motive has far outpaced any validating science.

 

[Dr. Sara]

This is an excellent journal article about edible insects as a protein source, including a discussion of the nutritional value of various insects:

Edible Insects as a Protein Source: A Review of Public Perception, Processing Technology, and Research Trends - PMC

This review summarizes the current trends related to insect as food resources among consumers, industry, and academia. In Western societies, edible insects have a greater potential as animal feed than as human food because of cultural biases ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dr. Sara

 

[JennyM]

Thank you Dr Jeff, Dr Jean and Dr Sara ?
Very interesting!