Palatability study shows insect ingredients get dogs’ tails wagging

A study has shown that dogs fed a wet diet containing PureeX insect meat and ProteinX insect meal responded positively, with wagging tails, lip-licking, and empty dishes. The research demonstrated that two different diets with the PureeX/ProteinX combination were highly accepted and readily consumed by dogs, indicating excellent palatability. The study also investigated dog owners’ perceptions of the insect-based wet food, concluding that they rated the texture, aroma, and appearance of the food highly. In addition to being highly palatable to dogs and appealing to owners, insect ingredients are increasingly recognised for their functional benefits. They thus offer an innovative option for pet food manufacturers aiming to provide health and wellbeing advantages in tasty products.

The objectives of the study were to assess the dogs’ acceptance of wet food with a substantial inclusion of PureeX, Protix’s fresh insect meat, and to gather pet owners’ opinions of the food. The study involved 170 privately owned small and medium-sized dogs fed two different diets. These sizes were selected because dogs of this stature tend to be pickier eaters. Diet 1 consisted solely of a combination of PureeX and ProteinX. Diet 2 was a hybrid diet, combining PureeX/ProteinX with fresh chicken. Dog owners fed each diet to their pets for two consecutive days before switching to the second diet for a further two days. They were not told the ingredients in each food.

Paw-sitive palatability results

The trial indicates high palatability of both the insect-based wet foods. Dog owners were asked to rate the consumption of both diets at the end of the meal: the diet containing only black soldier fly ingredients and the hybrid diet were equally highly accepted, and readily consumed by the dogs. No significant difference between the diets was detected.

Lip-licking dog response

Owners were also asked to evaluate their dog’s attitude to each diet before, during and after each mealtime. Positive behaviours noted by pet owners included tail-wagging in anticipation of being fed, clearing every last crumb during feeding and lip-licking after the meal.

Strong consumer approval

While palatability and acceptance by dogs are of paramount importance, pet owners often like to offer their dogs a diet that looks and smells nice to humans too. Study participants were thus asked to rate the sensory properties of the two feeds, which they scored with a sound seven out of ten for both options.

Owners give the green light

Asked whether they would recommend the insect-based diets, 82% of owners stated that they would recommend the black soldier fly diet, and 81% would recommend the hybrid diet. A resounding yes to insect-based wet food!

PureeX in focus

PureeX is a minimally processed insect meat from the larvae of the black soldier fly. Available in a fresh and a frozen variant, it is perfect for wet food and as a fresh ingredient in extruded pet food. In addition to the palatability pluses demonstrated in this latest research, other studies have pointed to benefits such as a strong antioxidant effect. It is hypoallergenic and easily digestible.

Countless applications

It is clear that PureeX opens up a whole menu of possibilities for pet food manufacturers both in wet food as well as extruded dry pet food. Driven in part by consumer demand for healthy pet food and more eco-friendly products spurred by pet humanisation, pet food manufacturers are seeking novel ingredients and fresh meat. Insect ingredients are repeatedly proving themselves as functional ingredients, providing benefits such as skin, oral and gut health. These high-performing, low-pawprint ingredients offer an exciting and increasingly popular option.

For more details on the study, the white paper can be downloaded through the button.