Insects, Smaller Prey Animals Top Novel Dog Food Proteins – PetProductNews.com

Pet owners today are re-evaluating the quality of proteins and superfoods in their dogs’ diet. They want as much product information as possible, including the nutritional benefits and where ingredients are sourced, as well as an understanding of a brand’s core values and philosophies.
The pet industry is certainly dealing with a much more educated consumer, said Robert Downey, president and CEO of Annamaet Petfoods, a manufacturer in Hatfield, Pa.
“Simple marketing doesn’t cut it anymore,” Downey said. “Today’s pet parents want quality products from trustworthy, family-owned-and-operated companies. They demand accountability, transparency and integrity.”
Annamaet Petfoods has a history of producing innovative formulas using new and novel protein sources, which have included water buffalo and catfish, Downey said.
According to Christie Dilling, assistant manager and clinical pet nutritionist for We Lov Pets, which has four retail locations in Ohio, pet owners are becoming more aware of novel proteins and requesting them in diets and treats. This includes proteins from smaller prey animals.
“Over the past few years, we have seen an introduction of several novel animal proteins including rabbit, quail and even insects,” Dilling said. “New plant proteins have also been incorporated too, including quinoa, beans and types of algae. We have seen a huge increase for treats and foods that contain organ matter, such as hearts and livers.”
Ziwi USA, an Overland, Kan.-based manufacturer, offers products with a unique blend of organ proteins.
“For those searching for that specific blend for their pet, we recommend Ziwi Peak recipes that feature high inclusions of meat, organs, bone and seafood in PeakPrey ratios,” said Jessica Krueger, marketing manager for Ziwi USA. “Consumers won’t find this blend or inclusion rate of organs in any other pet food. Recipes feature a minimum of 10 percent blend of cold-washed green tripe or poultry heart, whole green mussels and organic kelp.”
Lamb, duck and even kangaroo are considerably normalized proteins for dogs, said Justin McClenaghan, owner of Justin’s Pet Store in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada.
“To an average consumer, depending on geographic location, some proteins could be perceived as novel simply based on the lack of knowledge related to the current pet industry,” McClenaghan said. “One of my first recommendations to new customers is Tundra, a kibble produced by Champion Petfoods under the Orijen family of foods.”
The food has been around for years and includes proteins such as goat, venison, arctic char, duck, mutton, trout, mackerel and whole pilchard, McClenaghan said.
Pet owners also look for new protein options that can be incorporated into rotational feeding.
“We recently brought in a new product from Kasiks,” Dilling said. “Their canned food, Fraser Valley Grub Formula, contains black soldier fly larvae. It is a unique protein, and I love the idea of branching insects into a rotational diet. After all, dogs would eat insects in the wild, so why not tap into this substantial protein source?”
Customer requests for grubs and cricket proteins have grown significantly, said Anne Carlson, CEO of Jiminy’s, a Berkeley, Calif.-based food and treat manufacturer that combines insect protein with plant-based ingredients.
“Black soldier fly larvae is the king of the hill right now for us. Our Good Grub food won the SuperZoo Best New to Market Pet Food and Treats award,” Carlson said. “It’s a great complement to our Cricket Crave food, with a slightly lower price point, but all the same benefits of an insect protein.”
Jiminy’s is introducing two new wet entrees: one with grub protein and one with cricket protein. Carlson said the entrees could be used as a topper or as a complete meal. The company has also added two flavors to its line of treats: Nooch Puffs and Peanut Puffs, which both contain 22 percent cricket protein, contain 2 calories per treat and, interestingly, are human grade.
“We are announcing a second grub soft and chewy treat in Pumpkin & Berry flavor,” Carlson said. “It contains all the same benefits of insect protein and is our second grub treat. These training treats are very soft and malleable, and are a great way to give pills to a dog.”
Top-trending dog food recipes tend to be those that balance novel proteins with superfoods, according to industry insiders.
Annamaet offers many products that have high protein levels and are loaded with superfoods, Downey said. Annamaet Sustain contains superfoods such as turmeric, blueberries and marine microalgae.
“Pet parents have become more aware of the health advantages that a good diet can provide,” Downey said. “Studies have shown that appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals in your dog’s diet have been associated with increased longevity and a decrease in overall health issues.”
Superfoods contain the highest levels of antioxidants and are rich in fatty acids and fiber, Downey said. High superfood and protein levels can also be found in both Annamaet senior formulas, Annamaet Original Senior and Annamaet Re-juvenate, he noted.
As a pet nutritionist, Dilling understands the importance of diets that incorporate superfoods.
“People want better for their pets,” Dilling said. “We know antioxidants help with things like cancer and heart disease, but we also offer immune supporters like turkey tail, mushrooms and natural anti-inflammatories such as Boswellia. New benefits are emerging every day, and it’s important that we keep up with this new information.”
Superfoods tend to be the best ingredients nature has to offer, and insiders noted it is beneficial to stock a variety of selections to fit multiple feeding types.
“For raw feeders, Primal offers rich high proteins like their raw duck or quail frozen nuggets that include superfoods such as organic kale, organic apple cider vinegar and organic kelp,” Dilling said. “For customers feeding dehydrated, Grandma Lucy’s Macanna Salmon is rich in fatty acids and has a high-quality protein source. It includes blueberries, hemp hearts and coconut. For dry food diets, we recommend Stella & Chewy’s Wild Caught Raw Blend Kibble. It is one of our best-sellers and contains organic cranberries, broccoli and spinach.”
Jiminy’s defines a superfood as a food with multiple benefits in a single, natural source.
“Our insect protein has all the essential amino acids,” Carlson said. “The protein also has taurine, and because the insect flour contains fiber, our food and treats are prebiotic, which means dogs are getting great digestion.”
Jiminy’s proteins also contain lauric acid, and studies have shown indications that this improves mental acuity and slows the aging process, Carlson said.
“We’re in the process of digging deeper on the science,” Carlson added. “Insect is a true novel protein and an exciting addition to the space. I’ve always thought simpler is better and, if you can get benefits solely through the protein rather than supplements, you’re on the right track.”
Sustainability is leading the market for pet food manufacturers in terms of research and product development, according to industry insiders.
Robert Downey, president and CEO of Annamaet Petfoods, a manufacturer in Hatfield, Pa., said humane and eco-friendly practices have opened the doors to novel fish proteins, which are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
“The Alaskan cod [we use] is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified, which is the gold standard for marine sustainability,” Downey said. “The silver carp we use is also sustainable and wild caught. Utilizing silver carp, an invasive species, is a great way to preserve our natural resources and provide a superior, high-quality novel protein source for our pets.”
This year, Annamaet will release its newest formula, Annamaet Sensitive Skin and Stomach. This grain-inclusive formula combines lamb and MSC-certified whitefish to provide an optimal amino acid profile, according to Downey.
“Sensitive Skin and Stomach includes a nice array of superfoods as well, including millet, pumpkin, blueberries and marine microalgae,” Downey said. “It also contains turmeric, one of nature’s most potent anti-inflammatories, to help promote skin health.”
Consumers typically purchase products with proteins that are sustainable and contribute to their pets’ overall health and longevity, said Kambria Newton, trade marketing and communications manager for Petcurean Pet Nutrition, a Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada-based premium pet food manufacturer. The company sources of all its ingredients through a trusted network of suppliers, Newton added.
“We have continued to see a shift towards consumers opting for products with premium whole ingredients, that are minimally processed and contain no byproducts or unnamed meat meals,” Newton said. “With this, we’ve seen an increase in the use of premium proteins like venison, duck and turkey.”
Pet food sensitivities also drive the need for ongoing product research and development.
“There is a consumer consensus that it’s extremely important to moderate our protein consumption across both pet and human food,” Newton said. “For this reason, we’ve seen an uptick in consumers looking for protein alternatives, such as a plant-based diet or recipes which take a more moderate approach to protein inclusion.”
Insiders report consumers want to purchase selections for their pets that are sustainable and that contribute to their overall well-being.
“There are a variety of reasons people choose the diets they do,” Newton said. “Recipes that contain superfoods and functional ingredients can help a dog thrive throughout their life, while also helping to maintain healthy hips, joints, skin and coats. At Petcurean, we are always conducting research, evolving and innovating our recipes to meet the needs and demands of our consumers while putting pets first.”
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