In recent years, food made from insects has become one more option for our cats' menu. In this sense, Catit Nuna cat food is made from insects. The insects used in these recipes grow completely naturally and do not transmit diseases.
Insect food is a complete alternative and provides a new protein, which can be especially interesting in cases of cats with allergy problems. In addition, the food made with insects and offers important advantages at the environmental level. As it is an option that is not yet widespread, in this article on our site, we explain everything there is to know about insect food for cats It is an alternative that will interest all those cat lovers who seek their well-being and are also concerned about caring for the planet.
Can cats eat insects?
In our culture, eating insects is strange, which is why few caregivers are still aware that protein from insects is a valid alternative for their cats.
The truth is that, in nature, cats hunt, above all, small prey such as birds or rodents, but they can also take lizards or even insects, whose protein is very nutritious. In fact, it is not strange to see at home how our cat catches a fly or any other insect and does not disgust him when it comes to eating it.
Do not forget that cats are carnivorous animals, which means that the basis of their diet must be animal protein. This includes insects, so it is not unreasonable to offer them a food made with them. But It's not worth giving him just any insect we find on the street. Insect-based food is prepared by choosing the most interesting species for the cat based on its nutritional properties, making sure to add all the necessary nutrients, and amino acids, such as taurine, so essential for the sight and heart of cats.
In addition, these insects are raised in a natural and sustainable way, taking advantage of foods not suitable for human consumption that would otherwise be discarded, such as vegetables, fruits and cereals that do not have an ideal aesthetic to finish in supermarkets, but still in good condition. This saves resources. The larvae are then dried and ground into a flour that is mixed with the other ingredients to ensure the quality of the final product. They are not insects that can transmit any disease to your cat and do not be afraid to find an entire insect inside the container!
Types of insects cats can eat
Some insect foods prepared for cats do not specify the exact species they are made from. It is important to read the label and find out about this information, since there are insects with more nutritional qualities for cats than others. For example, the black soldier fly has numerous benefits over other insects.
Specifically, the whole larvae of Hermetia illucens,as it is called, are considered superfoods and contain a large amount of proteins and amino acids of interest, in addition to other nutrients of great importance such as iron or calcium. At the same time, they are low in carbohydrates and easy to digest.
Other species that may be suitable for consumption by cats are crickets, larvae from mealworm or cockroachesIt is a field that is still under investigation and we will probably witness its growth in the coming years.
Discover the benefits of insect protein for cats and for the planet in this other article.
How to give a cat insect food?
The feed made with insects is a complete food that we can offer our adult or junior cat on a daily basis. Of course, as always when we introduce any novelty in the life of our feline, the change has to be done little by little to ensure that there is a gradual adaptation to the new food and that we do not cause a digestive disorder by giving it a diet different abruptly.
On the other hand, insect food is usually as tasty as any other, which makes it easier for cats to accept and easy to digest. It can be an alternative for cats that have had problems with traditional animal proteins or with allergies to cereals. Millet is a gluten-free, ancient grain that is lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein and fiber than other grains commonly used in pet food, such as wheat or corn. Millet has a low glycemic index, so it helps stabilize your cat's blood sugar level and makes her feel full longer. Insect-based feeds usually contain this less harmful cereal for cats than wheat, corn or rice. But it is always the veterinarian who must prescribe the most appropriate diet in case of pathologies.
Now then, what do I think made with insects choose? At Catit, Catit Nuna has been developed, a feed made from insect protein with up to 92% sustainable protein.
The ecological footprint of insect food for cats
In addition to the benefits that protein from insects can have for our cat, its ecological footprint should be highlighted. With this term we refer to the impact that production has, in this case of a food, for the planet.
The water costs and carbon dioxide emissionsfrom the production of feed with insects are much lower than those corresponding to the production of a food prepared from cattle meat. In addition, we must count the expenditure on resources, including land and water involved in manufacturing the food that these animals in turn consume. Therefore, the production of food made from insects has a low ecological impact compared to the manufacture of traditional protein-based diets. In other words, at the same time that we take care of our cat, we contribute to the conservation of the environment, since protein from insects is considered sustainable and of sufficient quality to replace traditional animal protein.
In addition, the production of food based on Hermetia illucens larvae leaves no waste, since the entire insect is used. It is the opposite of what happens with meat from beef or chicken, since a considerable percentage of these animals is not edible. The result is that it is discarded and ends up in landfills where it creates greenhouse gases. In short, protein from insects saves natural resources and offers a sustainable and clean alternative for consumption.
