Are insects the new beef?

Insects didn’t cross my mind as sustainable dog food until I stumbled upon a fascinating article about Kunga Cake while researching my last post, “Help! My Dog Swallowed a Wasp, Now What?"

According to Brenna Shea of the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium, inhabitants of Africa’s Great Lakes region are frequent bug consumers. Midges (Lake Flies) are problematic for the area. Their numbers have increased due to human pollution killing their natural adversaries. The clouds of Lake Flies are so thick that people have smothered in them.

If you check out this video on the Cplai channel, which contains collections of news clips, it’s a spectacular sight, but here’s the story in short. Once a month, the male flies amass over the waters, then head to land, where they organize in a precise vertical formation, coaxing the females from afar. During mating, the clouds thicken, blacking out surfaces.

The Lake flies' most significant predators are Weavers, small finch-like birds that migrate to the area for the feast like the rest of us in drive-throughs, and the region’s villagers, who come armed with frying pans. Yes, you heard me correctly.

Why call on the Orkin man? The villagers gather for the swarms with a metal fly swatter, their frying pan slicked in oil to make the flies adhere. Thousands of tiny lake flies clump together at their fingertips. According to the video, one juicy fly burger contains seven times as much protein as beef. It’s an ingenious and sustainable solution to an insect problem and a global food crisis expected to worsen.

The human population is expected to exceed nine billion by 2050 and 11 billion by 2100. An increase in livestock equals an increase in deforestation.

Could insects be the way forward?

While you won’t catch me flipping fly burgers or serving them with a side of fries, even I am impressed by the idea. Insects use a fraction of the land and water that conventional farming utilizes.

Americans, like myself, are reluctant to eat insects. Only one-third of one thousand Americans surveyed agreed they would consume bugs regularly if they tasted good and were deemed safe for consumption.

In contrast, Asians, Latinos, and Oceanians consider insects a significant and viable protein source and eat them regularly.

Over 2 billion people consume bugs, so why not feed them to our pets?

Over the years, pet owners have shifted their views on what is acceptable to feed their pups. Dogs are family, and most want them to eat human-grade food, not the byproducts or leftovers used previously in manufacturing pet foods.

Human food production alone accounts for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, and pet food production contributes another quarter.

Why not switch to a plant-based diet that's good for the environment?

While I give my dogs fruits and veggies as snacks, switching a dog to a strict plant-based diet could have consequences if you're not careful, especially if you're looking to make your dog food.

Like many of us, dogs are omnivores. My dogs will gladly snack on a celery stick, but let them get a whiff of meat, and their eyes light up. Meat is a significant protein source compared to vegetables. I’ll explain why soon.

Overall, dogs need more protein per pound than you and I. They need at least one gram of protein per pound of body weight, compared to the average person, whose intake should amount to 0.36 grams per pound.

Protein requirements are based on your pup’s activity level, age, lifestyle, and health. Your puppy’s protein needs will vary like yours throughout your lifespan.

Feeding your pup broccoli and peas won't suffice, as vegetables contain more water. Depending on whether or not your pup is still developing, they will need anywhere from 8% to 18% dry matter protein or food in which the moisture has been removed.

This is where things get tricky. A cup of broccoli is said to have 2.5 grams of protein.

The protein content is reduced as moisture is removed, and the vegetable is reduced to dry matter. Fruits and vegetables containing ninety percent water equal less dry matter and significantly less protein, not to mention the high fiber content of mother nature’s bounty, which could lead to digestive upset for your pup.

Onions, leeks, chives, and wild mushrooms are toxic to canines. Grapes and raisins are also huge no-nos. I eat them frequently, but I have to scoop them up quickly when they hit the floor.

Animal-derived and insect-derived proteins are both beneficial to your pup's health.

How do animal-based proteins benefit dogs?

• Animal-based protein contains around twenty percent of the eighteen percent your dog needs.

• Amino acids in animal-derived proteins are easier on the digestive tract and better absorbed.

• Animal-derived proteins provide more calcium, B- -vitamins, and minerals.

What are the benefits of insect-based protein?

• Insects are nutritious and boast a plentiful supply of energy

• Insects produce less methane, carbon dioxide, and ammonia (decomposed in the soil, ammonia creates nitrous oxide).

• Insects require less land and water than livestock.

Are there limitations to producing insect-based pet food?

Currently, only a few insects are utilized in dog food production. Black soldier fly larvae, mealworm larvae, and house crickets are considered easier to digest and are high in protein and amino acids for dogs. Depending on their species and life stage, insects may provide two times as much energy as meat. For example, insect larvae are higher in calories than adult insects.

Do insect-based diets spell better health and longevity for dogs?

Although millions of humans have been insect consumers throughout history, the trend is relatively new to pet owners. Insects may promote health and longevity in some, but there have been some instances where insects have altered microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract and could trigger an allergic reaction.

Should I make the switch and feed my dog an insect-based diet?

While many people have successfully switched their pets to insect-derived protein sources, it’s a personal choice if you ask my opinion. The switch to insect-based protein in pet food manufacturing is new, so the long-term outlook is difficult to predict.

If you've researched sustainability, you know ingredients are only a tiny piece of the pie. A large part of whether an item is sustainable boils down to ethics. How does a company treat employees and livestock or insects? Are they using plastic or biodegradable packaging? Will chemicals from the packaging contaminate the food as we’re seeing with bottled water? Is the food stored in an airtight place? How is the food being shipped, and where does it come from? Production standards are different globally.

While many major pet food manufacturers produce insect-based pet food, it’s not for everyone. So far, it’s the consumer’s choice, and I hope it remains that way. Please tell me your thoughts.

How do you feel about insect-based dog food?

References:

Aidoo, Owusu Fordjour et al. "Insects as food and medicine: a sustainable solution for global health and environmental challenges." Frontiers in nutrition vol. 10 1113219. 14 Jun. 2023, doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1113219

Areerat, Sathita et al. "Insect-based diets (house crickets and mulberry silkworm pupae): A comparison of their effects on canine gut microbiota." Veterinary world vol. 16,8 (2023): 1627-1635. doi:10.14202/vetworld.2023.1627-1635

“Companion Animal Nutrition Service." Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, vmc.vet.osu.edu/services/companion-animal-nutrition-support-service#:~:text=Although%20energy%20requirements%20vary%20greatly,least%202%20grams%20per%20pound. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Cplai. (2013, June 9). Swarming lake flies in Africa [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcXsx8gpN9M

Dietz, William H, and Jessica Fanzo. "Mitigation of the U.S. agrifood sector's contribution to human and planetary health: a case study." Frontiers in nutrition vol. 10 1297214. 16 Nov. 2023, doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1297214

Illa, J., & Yuguero, O. (2022). An Analysis of the Ethical, Economic, and Environmental Aspects of Entomophagy. Cureus, 14(7), e26863. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.26863

LeWine, Howard E. MD. "How Much Protein Do You Need Every Day?" Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School, 22 Jun. 2023, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-protein-do-you-need-every-day-201506188096#. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Omuse, Evanson R et al. "The global atlas of edible insects: analysis of diversity and commonality contributing to food systems and sustainability." Scientific reports vol. 14,1 5045. 29 Feb. 2024, doi:10.1038/s41598-024-55603-7

Orkusz, Agnieszka. "Edible Insects versus Meat-Nutritional Comparison: Knowledge of Their Composition Is the Key to Good Health." Nutrients vol. 13,4 1207. 6 Apr. 2021, doi:10.3390/nu13041207

Reed, Melissa, et al. "A Survey of Willingness to Consume Insects and a Measure of College Student Perceptions of Insect Consumption Using Q Methodolog." Future Foods, vol. 4, no. 100046, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2021.100046. Accessed 31 Jul. 2024.

Shae, B. (21, March 4). Notes from the lab: Insect Delicacies. Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://www.missoulabutterflyhouse.org/notes-from-the-lab-insect-delicacies/

Tupler, Tiffany DVM, CBCC-KA. "Dog Nutrition: Guide to Dog Food Nutrients." PetMD, 1 Feb. 2021, www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_whats_in_a_balanced_dog_food. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024. https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_whats_in_a_balanced_dog_food

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (n.d.). World population projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050, and 11.2 billion in 2100. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/desa/world-population-projected-reach-98-billion-2050-and-112-billion-2100

Valdés, Fabrizzio et al. “Insects as Feed for Companion and Exotic Pets: A Current Trend.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 12,11 1450. 3 Jun. 2022, doi:10.3390/ani12111450