Expert Dog Health & Wellbeing

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How are insects grown for dog food and cat food?

by Nicolas Bartholomeeusen on Jun 30 2026

Two insect species dominate European pet food production: black soldier fly (14-day cycle) and mealworm larvae (60-day cycle); both yield protein-rich meal Insect larvae are fed on food industry by-products, not dedicated cropland; black soldier fly production generates roughly 1 kg CO2 per kg dry matter vs 10 to 12 kg for beef Processed insect meal contains 55 to 70% crude protein, compared to 20 to 25% for raw fresh meat Insect protein carries a low allergy risk because dogs in Europe have had very little prior exposure; the immune system has no established sensitisation to it

Expert Dog Health & Wellbeing

Health: are fruit and vegetables good for my dog?

by Nicolas Bartholomeeusen on Jun 30 2026

Pumpkin, sweet potato, green peas, carrots, blueberries, and apples (without seeds) are safe and nutritious choices for dogs Onions, garlic, grapes, avocado, and raw potato are toxic to dogs and should never be given, even in small amounts Fresh produce should account for no more than 10% of daily calorie intake to keep the overall diet balanced IMBY dog food already includes pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, blueberries, and green peas in the recipe

Expert Dog Health & Wellbeing

Five good reasons to stop feeding your dog meat

by Valerie De Clerck on Jun 30 2026

Which proteins are behind most canine food allergies, according to peer-reviewed research How pets' meat consumption contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions Why dogs are physiologically capable of thriving without meat What the science says about insect-based protein as a safer, lower-carbon alternative

Expert Dog Health & Wellbeing

Switching from puppy food to adult dog food

by Nicolas Bartholomeeusen on Jun 30 2026

Small and medium breeds are ready for adult food at around 12 months; giant breeds may need a puppy formula until 18 to 24 months FEDIAF sets minimum crude protein at 22.5% (dry-matter basis) for puppies vs 18% for adult maintenance; switching too early creates nutritional gaps A 7-to-10-day gradual transition reduces digestive upset when changing formulas Between 25% and 59% of dogs in veterinary practice are overweight; the switch to adult food is the moment to start managing portions carefully

Expert Dog Health & Wellbeing

How to identify and treat food allergies in dogs

by Nicolas Bartholomeeusen on Jun 29 2026

A properly run 8-week elimination diet is the only reliable way to diagnose a food allergy in dogs Blood and saliva allergy tests perform little better than chance; skip them Avoidance of the trigger protein is the treatment; medication and supplements support but don't replace it Insect-based food works as a novel protein because most dogs have never encountered it, giving the immune system nothing to react to

Expert Dog Health & Wellbeing

Is Insect-Based Dog Food a Healthy Choice?

by Nicolas Bartholomeeusen on Jun 29 2026

Black soldier fly larvae protein reaches 75–87% digestibility in dogs — comparable to poultry meal — with a complete essential amino acid profile. Insect protein is a novel ingredient for almost every dog, making it an effective first-choice protein for food allergy elimination diets. Insect farming produces roughly 100x less greenhouse gas per kg of protein than cattle, with a fraction of the land and water use. The EU approved black soldier fly larvae for use in pet food in 2021 following a full EFSA safety assessment.

Expert Dog Health & Wellbeing

Which food allergy is most common in dogs?

by Valerie De Clerck on Jun 29 2026

Beef, dairy, and chicken account for the majority of confirmed food allergies in dogs, according to a review of 297 clinical cases Itchy skin, recurrent ear infections, and paw-licking are the hallmark signs. Gut problems appear alongside skin symptoms in roughly one in five affected dogs Blood and saliva allergy tests have poor diagnostic accuracy. An 8 to 12 week elimination diet is still the only reliable method Novel proteins such as insect meal give a dog's immune system nothing familiar to react against, making them a practical starting point for sensitive dogs