Rovartartalmú kutya- és macskatápok előnyei, lehetséges hátrányai, valamint elfogadottságuk : Irodalmi összefoglaló = Advantages, risks and acceptance of insectbased dog and cat foods : Literature review

Kiss, Luca and Slezák, Izabella and Hetényi, Nikoletta (2026) Rovartartalmú kutya- és macskatápok előnyei, lehetséges hátrányai, valamint elfogadottságuk : Irodalmi összefoglaló = Advantages, risks and acceptance of insectbased dog and cat foods : Literature review. MAGYAR ÁLLATORVOSOK LAPJA, 148 (6). pp. 351-358. ISSN 0025-004X

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Abstract

Az irodalmi áttekintésban a szerzők összefoglalják a rovartartalmú kutya- és macskatápok előnyeit, kockázatait és gyakorlati alkalmazását. A rovarok prebiotikus hatású kitint, antimikrobiális tulajdonságokkal rendelkező fehérjéket, valamint (kizárólag a fekete katonalégy lárvája) antimikrobiális zsírsavat tartalmaznak, amelyek kedvezően befolyásolhatják a társállatok bélflóráját és általános egészségi állapotát. Új fehérjeforrásként hipoallergén tápokban is felhasználhatók, de ilyen célú alkalmazásuk a lehetséges keresztreakciók miatt nem feltétlenül jár sikerrel. Alkalmazásuk legfontosabb lehetséges kockázata a nyersfehérje emészthetőségének csökkenése és a nehézfém-szennyeződés. | Objectives. With the growing population, increasing attention is being directed toward using insects as food and feed, as they offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture. This review examines the advantages, risks, and practical application of insect-based dog and cat foods. Results and discussion. Based on the produced volume and practical application, black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) are the most commonly used insect species in dog and cat foods or snacks, which is followed by yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor). Due to their high protein and fat content, insects are promising ingredients for pet foods. However, there are important differences in the body composition of insect species and the substrate used in insect nutrition also impact these parameters. Thus, the body composition of insects is not standard. Insect-based feed may have several advantages. Insects contain chitin with prebiotic effects, antimicrobial peptides, and exclusively the black soldier fly larvae, antimicrobial fatty acid (lauric acid), which can positively affect animals’ gut microbiota and overall health. As a novel protein source, insects could be used in hypoallergenic pet foods; however, this cannot be guaranteed due to the possibility of allergic reactions. Concerning the potential disadvantages, insects' chitin content may decrease crude protein's digestibility. As another potential risk factor, the heavy metal accumulation of insects can be mentioned if the substrate is contaminated. The insect-based pet food market is fast-growing. Insect-based pet foods are more widely accepted by dog and cat owners if the insects are not recognizable, have beneficial properties (e.g., sustainability, health promotion), and are not more expensive than traditional products. These diets may positively impact dogs’ and cats’ health; however, more companion animal-specific studies are needed to clarify the long-term physiological impact of insect-based diets.

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