Evaluation of nutritional value, palatability, fecal characteristics, and owner perception of commercial insect-based dry dog foods

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable protein sources in pet nutrition has promoted the use of edible insects as alternative ingredients. This study evaluated ten commercial insect-based dry dog foods available on the Romanian market in terms of proximate composition, energy value, palatability, fecal quality, and owner perception. The chemical composition of the samples showed the following ranges: crude protein 22.4–25.6%, ether extract 10.5–15.8%, crude fiber 2.3–5.4%, crude ash 5.2–7.1%, nitrogen-free extract 37–45%, moisture 6.5–8.9%, and an estimated metabolizable energy between 3650 and 4150 kcal/kg. Palatability and fecal quality were assessed in ten healthy adult dogs using a two-bowl test and the Royal Canin fecal scoring system. Overall, 83% of the dogs accepted the insect-based food immediately, while 17% consumed it after brief investigation; no refusals were recorded. Fecal consistency was generally good, with a mean score of 2.5 ± 0.3. Additionally, an online questionnaire was completed by 155 dog owners and revealed that 68% were aware of insect-based pet foods, 54% were willing to try them, and 72% considered them environmentally friendly, while 46% identified price as a limiting factor. These findings demonstrate that insect-based pet foods meet canine nutritional requirements, are well accepted by dogs, and are viewed positively by owners, supporting their potential as a sustainable protein source in modern dog nutrition. However, further efforts are needed to improve owner awareness and acceptance through education and effective communication about the nutritional and environmental benefits of insect-based diets.