Scientists synthesized data on insects in cat and dog food before developing recommendations for insect-based ingredients.
Scientists synthesized the information about the use of insect-based ingredients in dog and cat foods before developing three recommendations to the pet food industry.
The scientists reported in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology that the market for insect-based pet foods is growing rapidly and is expected to continue. The recent approval of pet food in the USA is expected to drive this growth, and also pull along some Asian markets.
Researchers suggest that pet food companies using insect-based ingredients:
- Adopt systematic marketing
- Produce more scientific evidence
- Partner with veterinarians and actively communicate to improve consumer perception of insect-based pet food claims.
Scientists identified 43 brands that sell insect-based pet food. Currently, 35 brands are active in Europe. In 2015, the first European pet food based on insects was launched.
In these brands, the most common insects used were black soldier fly larvae (also known as mealworms) and black soldier fly larvae. The marketing claims for insect-based dog foods include hypoallergenic, sustainable and gut health/digestion. They also claim immune health, antioxidant activity or brain health. Researchers noted that consumers were most likely to be attracted by claims about sustainability, hypoallergenicity, and gut health. Pet owners are generally willing to feed their pets insect-based foods, but the willingness varies by insect species. Scientists suggested that veterinarians could reduce neophobia (fear of new things) by suggesting insect-based pet food.
The 3 most reviewed claims for pet food containing insects
Researchers studied reviews from pet owners of pet food based on insects sold in Europe. Three of the five claims made by brands of insect-based pet foods were the most frequently mentioned by consumers in their reviews.
The researchers reported in an earlier article also published in Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology that “a large majority of claims indicated dogs or cats liked the product.”
Sustainability was mentioned in thirty reviews. Sustainability was mentioned in thirty reviews. Nine reviews referred to insect-based food as hypoallergenic, which was followed by sustainability. Seven reviews referred to the third most common category of marketing claims, which was gut health and digestibility. Three reviews mentioned immune health and antioxidant activity in addition to the top three claims. One review included information on brain health for dogs that are aging.