Frequently Asked Questions

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  Can dogs eat insects, and are they safe for them?

  Yes, absolutely! Dogs will naturally seek to consume insects when given the opportunity. Dogs have been eating insects for thousands of years and can easily digest them, and love their taste! Studies have shown that insect protein is actually as good or even better in terms of digestibility compared to beef or chicken. Note: only feed quality controlled insect protein sourced from insect farms to your pet and not any insect found outside. Not all insects are edible for animals (nor humans).

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  What are Black Soldier Flies and where do you source them from?

  Black Soldier Flies (BSF) are the specific species of insects hermetia illucens. Contrary to what some people think, we do not chase after common black flies to create our food! We actually use quality controlled dehydrated BSF powder and oil, that come in a uniform and ready-to-use form. We source our BSF from insect rearing facilities located in Canada.

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  Are insects animal?

  Yes, insects are part of the animal kingdom. Therefore, our BSF recipe is considered animal based.

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  Why is the use of insects more humane and ethical than other animals?

  Most experts claim that insects do not feel pain the same way mammals or other animals do. Although they do feel nociception, the sensory nervous system's response to stimuli that is considered harmful, this does not create the sensation of pain. The current definition of pain requires an emotional response, which insects do not seem to have. Also, insects naturally thrive when they are reared in a condensed area, it is their natural inclination. Therefore, there is no contradiction in farming insects and their natural way of being.

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  Why is insect protein considered eco-friendly?

  For many reasons! First off, insects are extremely more efficient compared to conventional proteins at converting food and water into edible protein. In terms of water use, insects require 2000 times less water than beef for example, to produce the same output of protein. They are also much more efficient at converting feed into protein (about 2 to 4 times better than conventional livestock). In simpler words, they produce much more edible protein with the same amount of input than other animals. Moreover, BSF actually consume perfectly clean pre-consumer food waste. Grubs are nature’s most efficient composters. Our BSF actually get all the water they need from the up-cycled food they are fed! By transforming these perfectly good foods into protein, they also reduce the green house emissions that would have been emitted by the methane created by the fermentation of these foods.

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  Where did you get your statistics about insects as food?

  From the United Nations report that inspired us to create Wilder Harrier: Edible insects, future prospects for food and feed security.

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  Can my dog be allergic to insect protein?

  Actually, most dogs digest insects as easily or more easily that other protein. In many cases, insect protein is a great option for dogs that are allergic to chicken or other protein, since they represent a whole different proteinsource. We have not noted any allergic reactions until now, but some studies show some correlation between allergies to crustaceous and insects, since they belong to a similar biological family.

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  Where is your dog food made and how do your ensure quality?

  We manufacture our dog food in Montreal, Canada, with a local partner specialized in the production of different pet food products. We use a small batch and low temperature extrusion method that enables to achieve higher freshness and nutrient content than typical more industrial methods. Our production partner follow the guidelines of the CFIA (Canadian Federal Inspection Agency), and are routinely inspected for quality assurance by independent third parties.

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  How can I be sure that your recipes meet my pet’s nutritional requirements?

  Our dog food was formulated in collaboration with a pet food agronomist expert in animal nutrition that has over 30 years experience in the pet food industry. Our recipe is calibrated to meet the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) requirements for adult dog food.