What insect protein dog food actually is
Insect protein has gone from a curiosity to a real category in Australian dog food. If you're weighing it up for your dog, you'll want to know three things: what it actually is, whether it's safe, and whether your dog will eat it.
Insect protein dog food uses farmed insect larvae as the main protein instead of beef, chicken, lamb or kangaroo. In Australia and overseas, that almost always means black soldier fly larvae, dried and milled into a protein-rich meal.
Bowlsome's Bug Bowl is 37.9% black soldier fly larvae, slow-cooked into a casserole with pumpkin, carrot, brown rice and green beans. It's a complete and balanced meal, not a topper or a treat.
Your insect protein options in Australia
Most insect protein dog food in Australia is dry: kibble, pellets or treats made with black soldier fly meal. Bug Bowl is different. It's a slow-cooked, complete and balanced meal in a pantry pouch, with 37.9% black soldier fly larvae. If your dog prefers soft food, or you want insect protein as the main meal rather than a topper, start here.
| Format | What it suits |
|---|---|
| Dry kibble or pellets | Dogs happy on biscuits. Easy to measure and store. |
| Treats and toppers | Trying insect protein without changing the main meal. |
| Slow-cooked meal (Bug Bowl) | Dogs who prefer soft food. A complete meal on its own, kept in the pantry until opened. |
Kinder on the planet
Farming insects uses far less land, water and feed than farming livestock. Black soldier fly larvae are raised in enclosed facilities on food waste that would otherwise head to landfill.
No grazing land, no cold chain.
Is insect protein safe for dogs ?
Yes. Insect protein can be a safe and nutritious ingredient for dogs when it is responsibly sourced and used in a properly formulated, complete and balanced dog food. Black soldier fly larvae have been studied as an alternative protein source for dogs.
Bug Bowl is formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards, complete and balanced for all dog breeds and ages.
Which dogs suit it
Insect protein is worth a try if your dog fits one of these.
Reacts to common proteins
Chicken and beef are the usual culprits, simply because dogs eat so much of them.
Itchy or unsettled
With no clear cause, and your vet has suggested trying a different protein.
Already on a rotation
And needs another option in the mix to keep mealtimes varied.
Feeding with a lighter footprint
For households wanting to cut the environmental cost of feeding a dog.
How Bug Bowl works
Bug Bowl comes as 13 x 200g pouches for $57. Each pouch is sealed after cooking, so it keeps in the pantry until you open it. No fridge, no freezer, no thawing. Open a pouch and serve.
Not ready for a full pack? The Sample Pack is three 200g pouches for $16.50. Take all three as Bug Bowl, or mix it with other recipes and let your dog tell you which one wins.
On subscription it works out around $8.98 a day for a typical adult dog, against $9.98 buying one-off.
New to Bowlsome? You're covered by our Empty Bowl Guarantee. If your dog doesn't love it, we'll help arrange a replacement or refund in line with our guarantee terms.
Feeding guide
| Your dog's weight | Daily amount |
|---|---|
| 0–5 kg | up to 435 g |
| 5–10 kg | 435–732 g |
| 10–15 kg | 732–993 g |
| 15–25 kg | 993–1,456 g |
| 25–50 kg | 1,456–2,449 g |
A guide rather than a rule. Age, breed, activity level and whether your dog is desexed all shift the number. The feeding calculator on the product page will give you a real number for your dog's weight.
Switching your dog over
Go slowly. Mix a quarter of the new food in with the old for a few days, then half, then three quarters, then all of it, over about a week. Sensitive tummies may need two.
A rushed switch causes the loose stools people then blame on the new food.
Common questions
What dog parents ask us most about insect protein.
Can dogs eat black soldier fly larvae?
Yes. Black soldier fly larvae are farmed as animal feed and used as the protein base in complete dog foods. Bug Bowl is 37.9% black soldier fly larvae.
Is insect protein a complete protein for dogs?
Yes. Black soldier fly larvae contain all the essential amino acids dogs need, and Bug Bowl is formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards.
Will my dog actually eat it?
Most dogs do. The Sample Pack is a smaller way to find out, and if you're new to Bowlsome you're covered by our Empty Bowl Guarantee.
Is insect protein good for dogs with sensitive tummies?
It's a novel protein, so it hasn't been part of most dogs' diets before. That makes it a common choice for rotation and for elimination diets. Talk to your vet if your dog's symptoms are being actively managed.
What's the best insect protein dog food for dogs with allergies?
Check the full ingredient list against what your dog reacts to. Bug Bowl's protein comes from black soldier fly larvae and soy, with no chicken or beef. If soy is a problem for your dog, try our Kangaroo Bowl instead. Insects are related to shellfish, so if your dog reacts to prawns or crab, ask your vet first. The same goes if your vet is already managing your dog's allergies.
Insect or kangaroo: which is better for a dog with allergies?
Both are less common in dog food than chicken or beef, so they may suit dogs who react to those everyday proteins. Bowlsome makes both: Bug Bowl and Kangaroo Bowl. The better pick is the one your dog hasn't eaten much of before, with ingredients that avoid what they react to. Kangaroo Bowl has no soy. Bug Bowl has no red meat or poultry.
Is insect protein dog food worth trying?
If your dog reacts to common proteins, or you'd like to feed with a lighter footprint, yes. Not ready for a full pack? The Sample Pack is three 200g pouches for $16.50. New to Bowlsome? You're covered by our Empty Bowl Guarantee.
Does it need to be refrigerated?
Not before you open it. Pouches are sealed and pantry-ready, so they live in the cupboard. Once opened, refrigerate and use within three days.
Will I find chunks of insects in the dog food?
No. The insect protein is finely processed and blended evenly into the recipe, so you won’t see whole bugs or insect pieces. Bug Bowl looks and smells like a comforting home-cooked meal, while giving your dog the nutritional benefits of insect protein.
