Let them eat bugs

New cricket treats for dogs are not only tasty, they’re an excellent protein source and great for the environment as well!

Here’s the thing about meat—whether you love it or hate it, most of us can agree that meat-eating has a negative affect on the environment and, of course, on the animals themselves. According to the David Suzuki Foundation, livestock production accounts for 70 per cent of all agricultural land use, occupies 30 per cent of the planet’s land surface and is responsible for 18 per cent of greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. They also point out that growing animals for food is also inefficient; it takes about five to seven kilograms of grain to produce one kilogram of beef. Each of those takes energy and water to produce, process, and transport. Undeniably, as global meat consumption increases, so does its climate impact. Plus, it’s expensive. What’s an environmentally conscious dog lover to do?

Here’s the quick answer: turn to insects! Though the idea might make some people squirm, many insects are not only safe and nutritious to consume, but are high in protein, with levels comparable to the protein levels derived from beef and milk. According to The Scientist Magazine, house crickets, for example, contain approximately 21 grams of protein per 100 grams of cricket, while ground beef contains approximately 26 grams per 100 grams of meat. On top of this, due to their abundance and size, insects are much easier to produce sustainably and humanely than livestock. By using 93 percent less land and consuming 83 percent less feed than livestock, crickets emit far fewer greenhouse gas emissions into the environment.

On top of all of this: crickets are tasty. They are eaten as a snack in many parts of the world and it turns out dogs love them too!

Anne Carlson, a passionate businesswoman in the pet industry, recognized crickets’ winning combo of nutrition, sustainability, and nutty tastiness, and drew an obvious conclusion—crickets would make for an awesome superfood, perfect for our dogs. By combining cricket protein powder with other delicious and nutritious ingredients, Anne created Jiminy’s, a line of excellent, protein-rich treats for dogs. Chock-full of iron, vitamins, and fiber as well as protein, these tasty, earth-friendly cricket dog-cookies are a perfect way for your pup to get all of the nutrients he needs. Find them at jiminys.com.