Insect protein: does my dog not need real meat?
At Bellfor we want to help our customers to feed their dogs in a way that is appropriate to their species. Therefore, we do not use artificial additives and wheat as a matter of principle and instead make sure that our food contains enough fresh meat of food quality.
Of course, our insect-based varieties also meet our own high-quality standards. In contrast to our other products, however, they do not contain meat, but insect protein from the larvae of black soldier flies.
For many customers, this not only sounds like something that takes some getting used to but also often leads to the question of whether insects are suitable as an ingredient in dog food at all. Why concerns in this respect are unfounded and why our insect protein is much more than a simple meat substitute is explained in the following.
Frequently asked questions about our dog food with insect protein
Although our customers are usually aware that we place great value on a composition that meets their needs, some of them are still insecure and contact us with a number of questions. We have therefore summarised our answers to the most frequently asked questions for you below.
Don't dogs actually need real meat?
Every food product contains a certain amount of different nutrients, which can be divided into macro- and micronutrients. Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins and fats, while vitamins and minerals are called micronutrients.
The meat contained in dog food serves your four-legged friend as a supplier of fats and proteins. Since insects contain both nutrients in comparable quality, it makes no difference to your dog's organism whether you feed him a dog food containing conventional meat or insect protein.
Are insects enough for a needs-based supply?
At Bellfor we know exactly what is important when it comes to species-appropriate dog nutrition. In addition, we work closely with our team of experts consisting of veterinarians and nutritionists during product development.
You can, therefore, rest assured that our insect-based dog food provides your dog with all the necessary nutrients in the right quantities and that any possible deficiency can therefore be ruled out.
Does my dog need additional food with meat?
Both our dry and wet food for dogs with insect protein contain a needs-based amount of high-quality protein, which can be used by the body of your four-legged friend in an excellent way. It is therefore not necessary to supplement your dog's diet with dog food containing meat.
Are pesticides used in insect breeding?
The larvae of the black soldier fly contained in our food are a purely natural raw material. No pesticides are used in breeding, so there are no residues of pesticides in the finished dog food.
Do the insects receive antibiotics or other medication?
The use of antibiotics and other medication is usually the rule in classical animal husbandry. However, since the larvae of Hermetia illucens do not become ill, they can be bred without using them, which is a great advantage, not least in terms of the quality of the food.
Insects as an ingredient for high-quality food supplements
We use insects not only for the production of our hypoallergenic dog food. Insect fat and insect protein are also important ingredients in many of our high-quality dog care products and dietary supplements, such as Bellfor Skin & Coat or ZEComplete.
Insects are a high-quality source of protein
Our insect protein is characterized by its complex amino acid profile. Among the total of 18 amino acids contained in the protein, there are also 10 that are essential for dogs and must therefore be supplied via the food.
Our insect protein is therefore ideally suited as an alternative to conventional meat, with which a protein supply in line with your dog's needs can be easily guaranteed.
Insect fat as a supplier of valuable lauric acid
Insect fat is characterized by a high content of lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid which has anti-inflammatory effects and can contribute to strengthening the immune system.
Insect fat consists of 31.5 percent lauric acid and pure insect oil even contains more than 40 percent of the valuable fatty acid with which you can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of your four-legged friend.
Insects as a digestible alternative to meat
Dogs are semi-carnivores, which are dependent on an adequate supply of animal proteins and fats and should therefore not be fed vegan food.
However, this does not necessarily mean that proper meat is indispensable in dog food because our insect protein is a well-suited alternative to classic protein suppliers like chicken or fish and in some cases even clearly superior to them.
You can therefore be sure that our insect-based dog food is high-quality, complete food, which, thanks to its lack of allergenic potential, is also perfectly suitable for nutritionally sensitive four-legged friends or dogs with a feed allergy, for example.
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