4 Reasons Why Insects Might Be the Cleanest Protein Your Dog Will Ever Eat

When it comes to what goes in your dog’s bowl, “clean” should mean more than a tidy ingredient label. It should mean safe, transparent, sustainable, and gentle on sensitive tummies. That’s exactly why insect protein — especially from mealworms — might just be the cleanest, smartest protein choice out there.

Let us explain.

So, What Does "Clean Protein" Actually Mean?

In the pet food world, "clean" has become a bit of a buzzword. But at Entovore, it’s not fluff — it's about purity and purpose.

• No antibiotics
• No growth hormones
• No factory farming
• No mystery meat or “meat derivatives”

Our British-farmed mealworms are raised in highly controlled environments and fed with organic surplus food. That means fewer contaminants, no hidden nasties, and a nutrient-dense protein source you can actually feel good about feeding.

Ease of Digestibility: Why Insects Are Gentle on the Gut

Dogs with sensitive stomachs often struggle with common meat proteins like beef or chicken. Whether it's allergies, chronic diarrhea, or unpredictable digestion, traditional pet food can leave a lot of dogs — and their owners — frustrated.

That’s where insect protein comes in, especially from mealworms.

Mealworms aren’t just rich in amino acids and healthy fats — they're also exceptionally easy for your dog to digest. And we don’t just say that because it sounds good. In fact, scientific in vitro digestion studies (basically, lab simulations of what happens inside a dog’s digestive system) have shown that mealworms perform incredibly well when it comes to nutrient absorption.

In one study simulating the canine gastric and intestinal processes, yellow mealworms ranked among the highest in organic matter digestibility — outperforming many other insect proteins, including pupae or those with more rigid outer cuticles. That means more of the good stuff actually gets absorbed, rather than passing through unused.

And when it comes to nitrogen (N) digestibility — a strong marker for how well your dog can use the protein — mealworms and house crickets came out on top again. This suggests your dog not only digests mealworm protein easily but actually benefits from its full nutritional profile: muscle-building amino acids, gut-supporting fiber (like chitin), and essential vitamins and minerals.

• Highly digestible
• Naturally hypoallergenic
• Packed with bioavailable amino acids
• Rich in gut-friendly compounds like chitin, which supports microbiome balance

For puppies starting out or older dogs dealing with food sensitivities, mealworm protein is one of the gentlest, most effective options you can offer. It’s clean, nutrient-rich, and engineered by nature to be easy on the canine gut.

Better for the Planet: Why Insects Are the Sustainable Protein We Need

Let’s be honest: pet food, especially meat-heavy kibble and treats, has a real impact on the planet. In fact, the carbon footprint of the global pet food industry is estimated in the tens of millions of tonnes of CO₂ each year. That’s a lot of emissions tied to food that — in most cases — comes from intensive meat farming.

And as global meat consumption rises, so does the urgency for smarter protein sources — not just for us, but for our dogs too.

In high-income countries like the UK, reducing traditional meat consumption is essential if we’re going to meet climate goals and stay within planetary boundaries. But as we scale back on beef and chicken, we still need protein-rich alternatives that don’t compromise on health — especially for the most sensitive members of our households.

That’s where insects — and specifically Entovore’s mealworms — step in.

Not only are mealworms packed with high-quality protein and essential amino acids, they also deliver that nutrition with a tiny environmental footprint. Compared to conventional livestock, insect farming has:

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions (significantly less methane and nitrous oxide)
• Minimal land use (no deforestation needed)O
• Far less water pollution
• Superior feed conversion ratios (mealworms turn waste into protein far more efficiently than cows or chickens)

In other words, insects do more with less — and they do it faster, cleaner, and with less ecological baggage.

At Entovore, we’re not just talking about sustainability. We’re living it. Our farm-to-food process is designed to operate within the limits of our countryside — not against it. UK-grown. Shed-to-shelf. Low impact. Zero nonsense.

Feeding your dog doesn’t have to cost the Earth.

From Shed to Superfood: Our Dorset Roots

We started Entovore in a shed on the Dorset coast, not far from where we ran around as cousins with big dreams and muddy boots. It began with a question:

“What if the future of pet food could be local, ethical, and truly good for dogs?”

Fast forward to today, and our British mealworms are doing just that — powering happy dogs with gentle, planet-friendly protein.

Our farm-to-food philosophy means every bag of treats is born from care, not compromise.

TL;DR? Here’s Why Insect Protein Is So Clean:

✅ No antibiotics, hormones, or hidden nasties
✅ Safer and more controlled farming process
✅ Easier on your dog’s digestion
✅ Incredibly eco-friendly
✅ Grown with love in the British countryside

Curious what mealworm protein could do for your dog?

Stay tuned—we’ve got some exciting things coming.

And if you haven’t already, follow us on Instagram [@entovoretreats] for the behind-the-scenes buzz 🐛