Insect based food is one of those wild ideas that people kick about when we discuss more sustainable eating habits. Some vets are recommending that people turn that advice to their pets and begin feeding insect based pet food to their dogs and cats.
Eating insects is of course nothing new for many cultures and people around the world but it is not standard for everyone. Insect based pet food is currently being marketed towards vegetarians as a more animal friendly alternative as dogs and cats need protein based diets for health. Insects farmed for this also produce less waste and use less resources than cattle and chickens. Sounds like a win.
There’s a bit of a hang up however. It is expensive. More expensive than traditional pricey brands which make it a bit of a hard sell for most people. When the technology around farming larvae for food gets better, it may be a viable option.