Insect-Based Cat Food (Pros and Cons)

Have you heard of insect-based cat food? Yes – that’s right, pet food is made from crawling creatures! You might think we’ve entered the realm of science fiction, but many cultures have already been delving into insect protein for centuries.

Indeed, in Mexico and China, among others, they are considered a delicacy!

with Insect based protein for pets Now recommended by climate scientists, happy owners and even some vets – is it really the best choice for our animals and the environment too?

Let’s find out.

quick Facts:

• Cats feed on insects naturally in the wild and are hunted by pet cats
• Insect-based food uses less land, water and natural resources than traditional meat sources, while also solving the problem of food waste by using it as insect feed.
• Short-term studies on health, digestion and nutrition are positive
• There are no long-term studies on these areas because insect-based pet foods have only been on the market since 2018
• As an unregulated industry, choose an insect-based brand carefully – looking for safe handling and “human grade” where possible
• Insect-based foods are not always the most budget-friendly option

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the pros and cons of an insect-based cat food, looking at environmental credentials, science and safety, your best brand choices, customer reviews and options for owners on a budget.

So let’s start understanding Where did insect-based cat food come from?

The Origins of Insect-Based Pet Food

While in Western culture we are more accustomed to eating steaks of beef than making a meal out of mealworms, insects are already commonly used in much of our farming.

For example, poultry can be supplemented with black flies, housefly larvae, and yellow mealworms to make a protein-packed snack for chicken.

While at first we may feel that our kittens may not enjoy this creepy and scary meal… they may disagree. Search showed that both wolves and wild cats consume insects freely in the wild, making up 1% of their diet.

Insects also make up 1% of the animals that British domestic cats bring home with access to the outdoors. Although these numbers aren’t huge, they do show that our furry friends across the pond don’t seem to be averse to these unconventional food sources.

Unconventional sources may be the future. That’s because dry pet food production alone produces about 106 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, according to Study 2020.

There is no doubt that pet food needs a more sustainable route down, and many owners feel pressure to make better choices for their pets and for the wider world. Especially those with a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

But for carnivorous pets, options can seem poor on the ground. So it’s no surprise, then, that pet food manufacturers have spotted a gap in the market.

As the controversy over plant-based cat food continues, insect-based pet foods have entered the market with fanfare. Promise a healthy, high-protein, eco-friendly option.

…So are insects the answer to prayer for sustainable-minded pet owners?

Is insect food for cats environmentally friendly?

Protics is a Dutch company and the world’s largest producer of insect protein for pet products. They list the following benefits:

• Compared to beef, insect-based foods use 2% of the earth and 4% of water for every kilogram of protein.
• Farmed insect protein is mostly raised on human food waste, which reduces emissions from the actual food waste itself.
• One ton of insects can be grown on an area of ​​​​20 square meters in 14 days. They do not need fertilizers or pesticides and produce very low emissions.

the love, an insect-based cat food owned by supergroup Mars, believes that insect food is the future. Their larvae feed on surplus vegetables and plants and are sourced from a farm powered by 100% renewable electricity using “less than 80% space for beef”.

Are There Other Benefits of Insect-Based Cat Food?

• Allergy – Many brands claim that their foods are hypoallergenic, because insects, they say, carry new proteins that have not been eaten before – reducing the risk of an allergic response. but, Research He points out that this claim has not yet been proven.

• ethical concerns – If you are a vegetarian or vegan owner, you may find traditional cat food difficult. Accepting insects might be a little easier, especially since many brands use caterpillars that don’t have “nociceptors” – that’s what makes us feel pain.

Brands like Yura Detailing that their human slaughter process involves the use of “cold water` tubes that cool them into hibernation. Therefore, they sleep when their body temperature is too low.

Is insect food for cats safe?

While many are excited about the sustainability benefits of insect-based cat foods, you may still personally feel reluctant to make the switch. It’s not until you know more about the nutritional aspects of these formulas.

Of course, feeding delicate kitties is very important. Since the meat of “carnivores” is 100% necessary in their diet, as well as the addition of essential nutrients:

• Vitamin A
• niacin
• taurine
• arginine

These are vitamins and amino acids that cats cannot produce on their own, so we owners have to make sure they get them from their diet.

So what does the science say? How do these insect-based foods stack up?

Positive short-term studies

Insect based whole pet food has been on the market since 2018, and no health risks have been reported so far. Search showed that “short-term feeding tests did not lead to adverse effects on the visual health of dogs and cats.”

Digestibility matches

*IMPORTANT* Stool digest (sorry) of insect-based foods conforming to the ranges shown by conventional protein sources in Study 2020. In other words, insect food is likely to be palatable and easy to digest for your cat.

Positive owners

Search It found that “46 out of 50 pet owners gave positive feedback after learning that they were feeding an insect-based diet to their pets.”

Vets are interested

Simon Doherty, President British Veterinary Association, Recently issued a statement about insect-based food:

When incorporated into a whole food product, insect protein offers a more sensible alternative for owners who wish to offer their pets a ‘livestock-free diet’ rather than the home-made plant-based or plant-based diets that often result in poor pet health and well-being – insect-based products. palatable, nutritious and bioavailable.

The long-term effect is unknown

Because insect foods are still new to the market, there are no long-term studies. This is perhaps one of the biggest sticking points for some owners, who may be concerned about any long-term health issues or side effects.

Insects are completely consumed

Unlike other livestock, insects are consumed whole. This means that we will need to pay close attention to how the insects are raised and handled to make sure they are safe.

unregulated industry

After the above, insect farming is very much unorganized For now because it’s very new! This means that there are quite a few areas pet owners may want to consider when evaluating an insect-based brand:

• Treat – How do brands ensure that their factories tackle potential contamination in the production and treatment of their bugs?
• human grade – Unlike other pet food protein sources, insects can be raised for “feed” purposes only. Feed grade ingredients are not subject to the same safety standards as “human grade” ingredients.

For pet owners considering an insect-based pet food or treatment, it is worth asking if the insects they use are considered human grade?

What are the best insect-based cat food brands?

Let’s take a look at some of the leading insect-based shipping brands:

• Lovebug™ Lovebug™ cat food is prepared using black soldier fly larvae, as well as many other essential nutrients and amino acids.
  • This food also contains corn and wheat – so it’s not a grain-free option.
  • Insects feed on a wide variety of food industry byproducts (that would otherwise go to waste), so they tick the box for a round, sustainable source of protein out there.
  • The packaging is also 100% recyclable and made of paper, which can be put into a recycling bin.
  • They claim that their factory uses high standards of animal welfare, however, they say it is a “feed” manufacturer – so you may want to get more information there.

• Yura – As noted earlier, Yora actually uses the Danish farm Protix, which has a first-class ethical and sustainable approach to grub growing.
  • Their feed is produced from the larvae of the black soldier fly.
  • The packaging is fully recyclable wherever you recycle your carry-on bags.
  • Ura contains oats and corn, so it is not grain-free.
  • As a “nutrition” supplier, you may want more information on how Protix treats insects.

• Kate Nona – Nuna is a blend of sustainably sourced insect protein and fish protein, so you can reduce your impact on the environment without making a complete change.
  • They claim that their insects are “sustainably raised in Canada, the USA and Europe, under clean and controlled conditions.”
  • Nonna contains millet – an ancient grain that is gluten-free.
  • Nona does not contain “cheap fillers”.

• entoma – Entoma uses a combination of insect protein, vegetables, fruits, and superfoods to create a food packed with superfoods.
  • A grain-free option that contains flaxseed and chickpeas.
  • The recipe contains duck fat, which may be a bargain for vegetarians or vegans.
  • The insect meat used consists of mealworms and the larvae of the Hermia eleucin flies.
  • Their insects are raised on specialized farms and feed on human waste (the remains of grains, fruits and vegetables).
  • Nothing else is given away, so you may want to contact them to ask more questions!

The Wrap Up – Insect-Based Cat Food

So what do we think? Is insect food the future? I think there is definitely something worth studying here.

The few brands we mentioned above are backed by vets and nutritionists on their websites. However, to find the best food for insect cats, be sure to consider research concerns and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

And of course, always consult your veterinarian before making any changes to the meal. There may be reason for them to think that your cat would be better suited to a traditional diet, or they may be able to point you toward a brand that they feel offers the best food choice.

while the The sustainable benefits of insect food are certainly exciting to usYou may wait a while for a budget-friendly insect cat food option. As a new segment, the cost of processing is high, so until this settles, you will likely be paying more for the privilege of feeding your cat critters!

Time will tell how insect-based foods affect the general well-being of our pet, but with the current research looking promising – it appears to be a step in the right direction for our planet and our pets!

what do you think? Let us know in the comments below 🙂