Insects in Pet Food: A Nutritional and Sustainable Alternative

Interest in using insect meal in dog and cat food formulations as an alternative source of protein and fat has grown significantly.
 

This phenomenon is driven not only by the nutritional benefits of these ingredients, but also by the population growth of dogs and cats, the expansion of the pet market, and the limitations associated with conventional animal-based proteins that often compete with human food.
 

Thus, the inclusion of insects in pet food formulations can bring nutritional benefits, improve palatability, and promote the sustainable development of the pet food market.
 

In this context, insects emerge as a viable alternative. Regulated in Brazil by Normative Instruction No. 10/2020 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), species such as Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly), Tenebrio molitor (common mealworm), Zophobas morio (giant mealworm), Acheta domesticus (house cricket), Gryllus assimilis (black cricket), Nauphoeta cinerea (cinerea cockroach) and defatted pupae are approved for use in animal diets.
 

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In addition to nutritional benefits, formulating pet foods based on insect protein can promote the sustainable development of this market (Photo: Reproduction)

Nutritional Profile of Insects 

Insects offer beneficial nutritional characteristics for dogs and cats, being able to meet their nutritional needs.
 

These ingredients have a high content of high biological value protein, with a balanced amino acid profile that often resembles or even surpasses that of conventional protein sources, as can be seen in the graph. 
 

Several authors have conducted studies that show that the in vivo digestibility of foods based on black soldier fly larvae meal (FSLM), for example, presents excellent percentages between 73.4% and 83.9% (Bosch and Swanson, 2021), demonstrating excellent digestibility.
 

 The lipid profile of insects is mainly influenced by the environment in which they are raised, the species, and the composition of their diet. Literature shows variations of 4 to 39% ether extract in dry matter (DM), generally higher in larvae than in adult insects. 
 

According to Kępińska-Pacelik et al., (2022), the black soldier fly larva contains about 40% C12:0, a value higher than that found in conventional protein sources. 
 

Furthermore, monounsaturated acids such as oleic acid are found in oils extracted from insects, contributing to oxidative stability. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6 , are found in mealworm and cricket larvae; however, black soldier fly larvae are the most significant source of eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA) , two essential components for maintaining neurological function and the balance of the immune system. 

Insects are also sources of essential minerals, including iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium . Black soldier fly larvae, for example, have a calcified exoskeleton, providing higher levels of calcium and phosphorus (Kępińska-Pacelik et al., 2022), which can be beneficial in a formulation for growing dogs and cats. 

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF BENEFICIAL EFFECTS FOR DOGS AND CATS

Studies in the literature highlight the benefits of including black soldier fly larvae meal (NSLM) in the diets of dogs and cats, promoting health and contributing to its application in small animal clinics.
 

Black soldier fly larvae (NSLF) protein has a significant amount of low molecular weight peptides . A crossover study developed by Carvalho et al. (2024) showed how the use of defatted NSLF meal in dog diets can contribute to promoting skin health. 
 

Based on scientific evidence and the potential benefits of including black soldier fly larvae meal in formulations for dogs and cats, Special Dog Company launched the first Brazilian product formulated with this ingredient, Bionatural Sensitive, in July 2025.

 

By Viviane Priscila Moura, veterinarian, postgraduate in canine and feline clinical medicine and small animal nutrition, and senior scientific communication analyst at Special Dog Company.
Source: Cães e Gatos