Insect protein pet staple food can be used as a grain with immune-boosting properties, especially for pets that are prone to allergies, insect protein may be a way out.

1. Food allergy

Food allergy is the most common allergy in pets and is known as a low-risk incurable disease.

A pet with allergic constitution or immune imbalance will not only react to harmful foreign substances, but also overreact to harmless substances (allergens).

Common allergens for dogs in daily life include beef, dairy products, chicken, wheat, lamb, soybeans, etc.;

Common allergens for cats include beef, dairy products, fish protein, etc., and insects, as a new protein, can solve the problem of cat food allergies.

2. Animal protein is expensive, scarce, and in short supply

The main sources of protein in food are animal food and plant food.

The digestibility of plant protein is relatively low, and digestion is easy to burden the cat's stomach. In contrast, the utilization rate of animal protein is higher, but the price is expensive.

Therefore, in pet food, the content of animal protein often determines the quality and price of a pet food.

Insects have the characteristics of large number, wide variety, high nutritional value and sustainability. Studies have found that raising mealworms in the same land can produce more edible protein than chickens, pigs, cattle, etc.

3. High nutritional content

The previous point mentioned that insects have the characteristics of large number, wide variety, high nutritional value and sustainability.

Let's take the mealworm in the title as an example:

Tenebrio molitor L., commonly known as yellow mealworm or mealworm, belongs to the class Insect Coleoptera Coleopter Tenebrionide Tenebrionini.

Originally from South America, it was introduced from the Soviet Union by the Beijing Zoo in the 1950s and began to be domesticated.

In addition to high protein content, it also has: amino acids, oils, chitosan, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and other substances. The nutritional content and content are the first among all kinds of live animal protein feeds.

Moreover, pet protein is more natural, which is conducive to the digestion, absorption and utilization of dogs and cats, so it can be used in the clinical health care of dogs and cats.

4. Low investment cost

Raising traditional livestock such as chickens, cattle, and sheep requires a lot of space and resources, and is accompanied by the risk of pollution.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, greenhouse gases emitted by animal husbandry account for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, mainly in the form of gases such as methane, helium and carbon dioxide.

Raising insects rich in protein, organic matter and fat can be done in a smaller space

Low consumption and less waste.

In terms of cost-effectiveness, it has more development potential and prospects than animal and plant feeds.

5. Prevent pets from having high blood acid and high blood lipids

Most pets overeat fatty and greasy food, have excessive nutrition, and have little activity. In addition, they eat too much greasy food. Many dogs and cats suffer from obesity at a young age, and most of them have problems with high blood lipids and high blood pressure.

In the face of such a situation, in addition to controlling diet and increasing exercise, blood lipids and blood pressure must also be controlled, otherwise serious conditions may occur.

Yellow mealworms are rich in antimicrobial peptides, which can inhibit the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and are angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors that can control blood pressure.

In addition, the unsaturated fatty acids in yellow mealworm oil are very important for cholesterol metabolism. They are also important raw materials for synthesizing thromboxane and have a good effect on regulating blood lipids and blood pressure.