Sustainability is a major focus for many companies in the pet industry right now, but you've probably never even realized it. Researchers and experts in the pet food industry are well aware that our resources are depleting much too quickly. Some products, like Jiminy's Insect Protein Dog Food, are made using sustainable resources with a focus on our environment.
Dog food is now being made with higher quality ingredients than ever before. Most of the same ingredients are also used in the making of human food. It sounds great – dogs eating the same quality food as their owners – but the problem isn't in the quality of the food.
The problem is in the resources that the food is made with. Resources like grains, fruits, vegetables, and meat are all in limited supply. These resources are renewable, but if the demand outweighs the supply we will begin to have a shortage of these foods.
Some manufacturers have begun looking for new ingredients that are more sustainable than the traditional ingredients that we've been using for decades. That's why Jiminy's uses insect protein in their dog recipes instead of traditional protein sources like chicken, fish, or beef.
If you're interested in learning more about sustainability in the pet industry or insect powder as a source of protein, check out our interview: What's All the Hype About Cricket Protein for Dogs?
Jiminy's Insect Protein Dog Food Review
First, let's talk about what makes this dog food so unique. Obviously, it's the insect protein powder. Not only are insects a sustainable protein, but they are also a source of very lean protein, iron, fiber, and all of the essential amino acids.
According to Jiminy's, it takes 22,000 times more water to raise a cow than it does to raise an insect, and it takes 2,300 times more water to raise a chicken than an insect. In fact, they say that in the last 12 months the production of their dog food products compared to other traditional products has saved over 60 million liters of water, averted 7 million grams of greenhouse gases, and produce 130,000 pounds of insect protein per acre of land that they use.
Did you know that it takes 93% less land to raise insects than beef and 67% less land to raise insects than chickens? Jiminy's even partnered with Carbon Credit Capital to measure the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their products. They found that their cricket protein treats produce 740% less GHG emissions than traditional beef dog treats and 270% less than chicken treats.
While sustainability is great, my biggest concern is always my dogs' health and well-being. Cricket powder scores as high in digestibility for dogs as chicken or beef protein. Cricket powder is also a natural pre-biotic and naturally hypoallergenic!
Jiminy's Insect Protein Dog Food recipes are made in the USA and free of corn, wheat, and soy. They are not made with any artificial preservatives, artificial colors, or antibiotics. All of their recipes are designed by veterinarians.
ALSO: Sustainability In the Pet Industry
This dog food combines insect protein with plant-based ingredients. Jiminy's Insect Protein Dog Food is available in 2 flavors – Cricket Crave and Good Grub. Both recipes are oven-baked in small batches to ensure less processed food. This makes it easier to digest and retains more of the natural nutrients.
Both recipes are also formulated for dogs in all life stages. The full list of ingredients for each recipe is:
- Cricket Crave – Cricket, Oats, Quinoa, Sweet Potato, Brown Rice, Chickpeas, Milo, Potato Protein, Peas, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Natural Vegetable Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Brewer’s Yeast, Salt, Menhaden Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Inulin, Vitamins (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Turmeric, Mixed Tocopherols
- Good Grub – Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Oats, Potato Protein, Dried Sweet Potato, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Monosodium Phosphate, Beet Pulp, Natural Vegetable Flavor, Flaxseed, Salt, Menhaden Fish Oil, Vitamins (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols
As you can see in my video review, our dogs love this food – even my pickiest eater. I was worried that they wouldn't be enticed by the smell of the cricket protein like they are with dog food made with beef, chicken, turkey, or other more popular protein sources. I was certainly wrong! They love it!
You can purchase Cricket Crave and/or Good Grub on Amazon. 3.5-ounce bags sell for $21.95 and $16.95 respectively. 10-pound bags sell for $58.95 and $45.95 respectively.
That price won't fit into everyone's budget. If you're looking to lessen your carbon footprint and sustainability is a high priority for you, Jiminy's is worth the cost. It provides optimal nutrition and is much more eco-friendly than other traditional pet food options.
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