Dogs Owners’ Perception on the Use of Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens L (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) Larvae as an Alternative Source of Protein in Dog Food in Kenya

Abstract

In recent years, pet owners have begun to show more consideration for their companion animals, which includes paying more attention to their nutrition. This is thought to be a strategy to protect the welfare and health of their animals. As feed and food, using insects has gained increased interest from industry, investigators, policymakers, and the general public globally. Owing to their rapid biomass turnover and dietary value, consideration of insects to serve as novel high-quality protein sources to replace the conventionally used sources for pet foods is gaining momentum. In the formulation of pet foods, ingredients made from black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are being investigated as sustainable substitutes for traditional animal-derived components. There is, however, limited information about using insects as a source of protein in dog food in Kenya