Mary Allen
Insects as an alternative protein source in cat food – meaningful innovation or pure marketing strategy? We explain the advantages and potential risks of the new food trend.
Cats naturally like to eat insects. The fast movements of an insect tempt every cat to hunt, the prey is then eaten. In the animal feed industry, insects are heralded as the food of the future: nutritious, sustainable, ecological. Read what’s really behind it.
Are Insects Healthy for Cats?
Two types of insects or their larvae are primarily processed for cat food:
- Black soldier bow tie
- flour beetle
Both are well suited to the needs of our cats in terms of nutritional value and can easily hold a candle to conventional protein sources such as beef. Basically, insects have a high protein and fat content in combination with a low carbohydrate content. This means that they come very close to the natural nutritional requirements of cats, carnivores. Insects are also rich in unsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, and vitamins.
Tolerance of Cat Food Made From Insects
A 2018 study evaluated the acceptability, tolerability, and nutrient digestibility of insect-based cat foods:
- The food made from black soldier fly larvae meal was generally well accepted and tolerated by the cats, even if there were individual differences.
- A very good fat digestibility as opposed to a rather moderate protein digestibility, which is why the researchers recommended mixing with conventional protein sources in order to avoid deficits.
Studies have yet to prove the consequences of long-term feeding of an insect protein-based diet.
Insects: Food Solution For Allergy Sufferers?
Many cats are allergic to animal proteins in their food. This is due to an overreaction of the immune system. Several studies have confirmed that beef, chicken, dairy, eggs, and fish are among the most common food allergens in cats. For a successful elimination diet, however, a protein source unknown to the cat is necessary. This is where insect protein comes in. Appropriate food can help affected cats.
Insect Food Scores With the Eco-Factor
In times of a growing world population with an enormous need for animal protein, insect breeding is far superior to conventional factory farming. Insects are easy to breed, and their high rate of reproduction makes it possible to produce large quantities with minimal expenditure of time and energy. Space required, water consumption, and cost factors are low.
After about two weeks, larvae hatch from the eggs, which feed on organic waste and are then processed further. The resulting emission is low. Fertilizers or pesticides can be completely dispensed with.
For environmentally-conscious cat owners, switching to insect protein-based food is, therefore, worth considering.
Conclusion: Cat Food With Insects
In principle, the idea behind cat food with insect protein is not reprehensible. Especially for cats with a food allergy, it can be worthwhile to use the “crawler menu”. The ecological paw print is also getting smaller. However, feeding cat food purely based on insects is still not recommended. It remains to be seen how the role of insect proteins in the feed market will develop in the future.