Top Trends:
- Novel Protein Source
- Single Source Protein
- Protein Allergy Awareness
- Eithcally Source Protein
- Meat as the First Ingredinet
- Protein-Rich Formula
What is a Novel Protein & What does it mean?
Really simply a Novel Protein is a protein from a source your pet hasn’t encountered before in their diet. For example, if your pet usually eats Chicken or Beef and Grains then this is their routine diet and if they ate Rabbit or Duck for the first time this would be a Novel Food or Novel Protein.
Why are Novel Proteins important?
Well, most pets have been pre-exposed to most common protein sources so if they do develop an allergy then it is likely to have come from one of them. After all, you can’t be allergic or be sensitive to something you haven’t had before.
For cats, meat protein is the most common allergy. A sign your cat may have an allergy would be a skin problem (also common in dogs) or a digestive problem. The easiest way to find out what they are allergic to if you do think it is related to meat protein would be to restrict their diet and introduce them to a novel protein source to see if this alleviates the issue. Of course, if you do think they have a sensitivity to anything always approach your vet before you change their diet drastically.
A major challenge with cat or dog food nowadays is that they’re so overexposed with a wide range of proteins and other exotic ingredients which make it difficult to determine what the issue could be or to find a true novel protein. For example, a simple commercial food may contain, Chicken, duck, beef, peas, rice and sweet potatoes… the ‘kitchen sink’ approach.
Good Sources of Novel Protein
Rabbit, Bison, Elk, Kangaroo, Salmon, Edible Insects (black soldier flies, larvae, yellow mealworms, silkworms, grasshoppers, and termites)
Edible Insects: The perfect Novel Protein source
As we continue to grow as a society and the demand for animal-based protein becomes too large to handle for both animal and humans, we have no choice to be to consider edible insects as the way forward. Hypoallergenic novel protein sources which are easily digestible, have a high nutritional value, require minimal space from farming and cultivation and have a very low environmental impact.
What is a Single Source Protein & Why is it important?
A single protein source is where a food contains only one protein such a chicken, beef or fish. Cats need an extremally high protein diet to survive but this can be harsh and hard for their stomach to digest especially if they have developed any sensitivities. It also doesn’t help that commercial cats foods contain low-quality proteins such a meal and by-products that are hard to digest meaning that any nutritional quality they may have will go to waste.
Cat foods that contain a single protein source are much gentler on the stomach and are easier to digest due to the amino acids still present that have not been removed or broken down.
The same applies to dogs, a single protein meal is much easier for them to digest than a mixed protein meal. Easier digestion means maximum nutrient benefits too!
Please send me an email if you would like some more information on this!
Bethany🐾X
Luvbug.tv 