Pet Nutrition Trends: From Raw Diets To Insect Protein
Feeding your furry friend can feel confusing. Shelves are stacked, and advice is mixed. The global pet food market topped $94 billion in 2020, so the choices keep growing.
This guide clears the air on raw diets, insect-based pet foods, and eco options. You will learn what works, what to watch, and how to serve better meals. Simple, practical, and made for busy owners.
Key Takeaways
- The global pet food market hit around $94 billion in 2020, and insect protein plus raw diets are rising fast among pet owners worldwide.
- Raw meat-based diets like BARF may improve coat, teeth, and stool quality, yet they can miss key nutrients and may carry pathogens such as Salmonella.
- Black soldier fly larvae, crickets, and mealworms offer high protein and strong digestibility, and they use fewer resources than beef or chicken.
- Insect farming uses far less land and water than cattle, and some brands now use compostable boxes for more sustainable pet food.
- Vets warn that DIY or plant-only plans can leave gaps, so talk with your vet before changing your dog or cat’s diet.
Raw Diets for Pets
Some owners swap kibble for raw meats, bones, and veggies to mimic a wild menu. This choice sparks debates between BARF fans and vets who worry about germs like Salmonella in animal feed.
Components of Raw Meat-Based Diets
Raw feeding is getting attention in pet nutrition. It sounds simple, but a balanced plan takes care and knowledge.
- Most recipes use uncooked muscle meat, like beef chunks, chicken wings, or turkey necks.
- Raw meaty bones add calcium and phosphorus, crucial for teeth and bones.
- Organs matter. Liver, kidney, and heart supply B12, iron, taurine, and vitamin A for carnivorous needs.
- Some add vegetables, such as carrots or spinach, for fibre and micronutrients that support gut microbiota.
- BARF plans may include fruit or eggs, yet they can miss vitamins like D or E without careful design.
- Exotic meats, such as venison or kangaroo, appear in some premium mixes as alternate proteins in different regions.
- To reduce parasite or pathogen risk, many home feeders blanch ingredients briefly instead of fully cooking.
- Supplements, such as fish oil for omega-3s or bone meal for minerals, help meet AAFCO-style targets.
Raw feeding can still fall short on balance or safety. That said, owners do report some clear wins.
Benefits of Raw Diets
Many owners choose raw for an ancestral feel. They often report shinier coats, cleaner teeth, and smaller stools. Those are easy wins at clean-up time.
Premium dog food trends now talk up human-grade meats and produce. Some pets digest simple raw mixes well, with fewer additives and fillers. Novel proteins like black soldier fly larvae get attention too, since they may suit sensitive stomachs.
Edible insects such as Hermetia illucens, also called black soldier flies, bring high crude protein. Some vets see promise when these are part of balanced diets. Your pogona vitticeps, the common bearded dragon, might even prefer insects as a food source.
Pet lovers in many countries want sustainable pet food that still feels natural, says Dr Jess Walker of Pet Nutrition Weekly.
Some owners also notice keener appetites and less fuss at mealtime. A happy eater can make daily life easier.
Risks and Veterinary Concerns
Raw plans like BARF can miss nutrients, including calcium and vitamins A, D, and E. Over time, that can harm bones and overall health.
Non-heat-treated foods can carry pathogens like Salmonella. Pets may get sick, and people can be exposed during prep and dish washing. Good hygiene is vital.
The 2007 melamine crisis shows how hard food safety can be. New trends, from edible insects to holistic labels, still need strict checks before sale.
Some owners follow online advice without vet input. This can throw diets off balance fast. Professionals use tools, including lab tests or biosensors, to assess safety and completeness. Skipping that step risks your pet’s health.
Insect Protein as an Emerging Trend
Today, some pets munch cricket meal and black soldier fly larvae, not just chicken or beef. Insect protein is landing in premium pet food. It offers nutrition with a lighter footprint.
Nutritional Benefits of Insect Protein
Black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and crickets pack serious nutrition. Their protein content can be very high, and digestibility often ranges from 76 percent to 98 percent.
These meals deliver key amino acids for muscle repair and growth. They also supply useful fats for energy and skin health. You will find minerals like calcium and phosphorus at meaningful levels.
Some studies suggest insect flours provide helpful antioxidants. Vitamins such as riboflavin and biotin support a healthy coat and normal growth.
High quality nutrition with a smaller environmental impact, insect farming gets you closer to that goal.
Environmental Advantages of Insect Protein
Large-scale insect farming needs far less land and water than chicken. Compared with beef, land use can be many times lower. That matters for a shrinking planet.
Crickets and mealworms release very little methane. Cattle, pigs, and poultry emit far more greenhouse gases. Insect waste also produces less ammonia than traditional livestock manure.
Soldier fly larvae turn organic scraps into protein, and they do it fast. Some species can even help break down difficult waste, which supports broader sustainability work.
Life cycle assessment, often shown as LCA, compares total impacts. For example, cricket production tends to strain nature less than broiler chicken. That is why insect-based pet foods are now on more shelves.
Popular Sources of Insect Protein in Pet Food
Seeing the green wins is one part. Here are the insects you will spot most in pet foods around the world.
- Black soldier fly larvae lead premium pet food. Large farms in Europe, North America, and Asia produce them at scale.
- Mealworms, Tenebrio molitor, appear in treats and dry foods. They show great feed conversion rates, which means less input for more output.
- House crickets bring crunch to modern kibble mixes. Brands like Bug Bakes in the UK and Jiminy’s in the USA use them.
- Zophobas morio, often called superworms, suit exotic pets like lizards and now show up in some dog treats as insect meal.
- Wax worms appear in some fish meal blends. They digest easily and add microminerals.
- Alphitobius diaperinus, or lesser mealworms, appear in boutique cat food. Some brands value their chitin content.
- Processing steps usually include blanching and drying at 60 to 80°C for many hours to reduce mycotoxins and residues.
- Insect oils, such as MagOil, can replace animal fats from livestock or seafood and reduce the carbon footprint of pet ownership.
- Blended recipes may add cassava or sweet potato, antioxidants, plant extracts, probiotics, and some fruit to support gut health.
- Formats range from dry pellets to soft pâtés and wet foods, sold by innovators like Circular Pet in Chile, Buggy Bix in Australia, and other brands worldwide.
Other Modern Pet Food Trends
Owners now ask for plant-based dog treats, simpler recipes, and greener packs. These shifts shape what ends up in your pet’s bowl. Premium pet food is changing fast.
Plant-Based and Vegan Diets for Pets
Plant blends often use soy, wheat, or corn as main proteins. They can lower costs in budget lines, but strict meat-eaters like cats struggle on them. Dogs need about 18 to 22 percent protein on a dry basis, and cats need at least 26 to 30 percent.
Animal or insect meal delivers B12, phosphorus, calcium, and key amino acids more reliably. Premium makers now lean on animal proteins or black soldier fly larvae. Veterinary journals warn that plant-heavy plans can look fine at first, then slip on essential nutrients.
Simplified Ingredients for Better Digestibility
Many owners now prefer short, clear ingredient lists. Fewer inputs can help sensitive stomachs and reduce guesswork.
Limited protein diets, including insect protein from black soldier flies or mealworms, may dodge common allergens. Studies show digestibility can reach 76 to 98 percent. That is helpful if your dog reacts to beef or chicken.
Some claim insect diets are hypoallergenic, and testing is ongoing. Early data suggests they do not upset gut microbiota, which can calm behaviour and stool issues.
Formulators still need to watch mineral levels. Some insect recipes can run very high in manganese without careful checks. In small studies of atopic dogs, switching to simpler meals that include edible insects improved skin scores and reduced itch in many cases.
Simple, balanced, and well tested usually beats complicated blends. Sensitive pets benefit most from that approach.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Packaging
As recipes get simpler, packaging gets smarter too. Brands now use biodegradable wrappers and recyclable bags that highlight lower impact.
Insect-based pet foods often point to smaller water use, fewer emissions, and better feed conversion efficiency. Black soldier fly larvae grown on household scraps can become high protein dog treats packed in compostable boxes.
Labels may show life cycle assessment, written as LCA, or symbols for a circular economy. The goal is clear, reduce the environmental impact of pet food while feeding pets well.
Conclusion
Choosing pet food can feel like a maze. Raw diets, insect meal, and plant-based picks all make bold promises. Insect protein from black soldier fly larvae now stands out for nutrition and lower impact.
More owners are trying edible insects in treats or premium kibble. Others look for sustainable pet food packed in eco boxes. Both steps can cut waste and shrink your carbon footprint.
Health still comes first. Cats and dogs have different needs, and safety matters. Before any big switch, chat with your vet for a plan that fits your companion animal. That protects wellbeing and avoids nasty surprises at toilet time.
Trends will change, but one thing stays true, better choices start with clear labels, sound science, and an eye on how food is made. Pick what suits your pet, and the planet, and you will feel good about every bowl you serve.