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If you’ve been to the grocery store lately, you know how limited the meat selection can be. While we’ve long done a “Meatless Monday” meal here, we’re now preparing–and enjoying–many meatless dishes throughout the week.
The impact of skipping meat one day a week can be huge on the environment. A recent article on the environmental impact of foregoing on meat meal a week noted that, “Skipping a single quarter-pound hamburger can save more than 400 gallons of water and the energy it takes to power a smartphone for six months. Do it every week for a year, and the greenhouse-gas savings are equivalent to biking 1,000 miles instead of driving.” And that doesn’t even take into consideration the lives that are saved with a one-meal meat hiatus.
Which got us thinking: what if our dogs could eat a meat-protein substitute as part of their usual meal rotation? Our dogs are on a rotation diet–alternating their diet every week. What if one week they went meat-free by substituting cricket protein for their usual beef, chicken or turkey?
Jiminy’s–a fun play on the name Jiminy Cricket–first began creating cricket dog treats and now offers dog food made with insect protein.
The food looks much like traditional kibble; it is baked rather than extruded:
Jiminy’s dog food comes in two varieties–Cricket Crave and Good Grub:
Cricket Crave is made using cricket protein:
Cricket, Oats, Quinoa, Sweet Potato, Brown Rice, Chickpeas, Milo, Potato Protein, Peas, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Natural Vegetable Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Brewer’s Yeast, Salt, Menhaden Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Inulin, Vitamins (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Turmeric, Mixed Tocopherols.
While Good Grub uses insect protein as its source of protein:
Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Oats, Potato Protein, Dried Sweet Potato, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Monosodium Phosphate, Beet Pulp, Natural Vegetable Flavor, Flaxseed, Salt, Menhaden Fish Oil, Vitamins (Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Choline Chloride, DL Methionine, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Organic Sunflower Oil, Sodium Selenite, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols.
Now, before you squirm, we all know that our dogs are happy to catch and eat a bug now and then!
This food contains no corn, wheat or soy.
The impact of adding an insect protein to your dog’s meal rotation is considerable. Jiminy’s says:
Switching a dog from a chicken diet to Cricket Crave saves 480,000 gallons of water per year (more if the dog is eating a diet sourced from a bigger animal).
And the impact from a switch to Good Grub is even greater: Jiminy’s estimates a savings of half a million gallons of water per year!
What did Barli think?
He loved it–and he is a very picky eater!
Jiminy’s Dog Treats Made with Crickets
Jiminy’s also offers wholesome dog treats made with cricket protein. The cricket protein (powdered in the mix…these treats don’t look any different than other dog treats) means they contain the value of a superfood and the protein of a meat treat but in a far more sustainable form.
Crickets are an incredibly sustainable protein source, using exponentially less land, water and feed than traditional protein. In addition, crickets emit far fewer greenhouse gases like methane. Compared pound for pound with beef, crickets feature a fantastic nutrition profile with more protein, higher iron and fiber, and lower in fat. Finally, cricket protein is humane, the crickets live most of their natural life in the environment they love.
— Jiminy’s
Why Crickets Instead of Beef or Chicken?
According to the company, “Jiminy’s is determined to change the way dogs get their nutrition by replacing animal protein with cricket protein. Jiminy’s sees crickets as a healthy, sustainable and humane alternative to grazing cattle and other meat sources, which require far more resources to produce protein and emit large amounts of greenhouse gases. Crickets are also incredibly high in protein, great for building muscle, high in omegas, and high in fiber and other nutrients.”
“At Jiminy’s, we are dedicated to taking care of our planet and ensuring our furry little friends consume good, wholesome, nutritious foods,” said Anne Carlson, the company’s founder and CEO.
“We feel inspired and proud to be reducing the ‘carbon pawprint’ by embracing new protein alternatives that ensure the health of our dogs and create sustainable habits.”
Cricket Cookies and Cricket Dog Treats
Jiminy’s offers multiple flavors in the original cricket cookies:
- Original Cricket Cookie with Peanut Butter, Crickets, Flax Seed, Lentils and Blueberries
- Original Cricket Cookie with Crickets, Lentils, Pumpkin, Flax Seed and Peanut Butter
- Original Cricket Cookie with Crickets, Sweet Potato, Lentils, Flax Seed, Peanut Butter, Apples
…and in the new CHEWY dog treats that Barli and Tiki tried:
- Chewy Cricket Treat with Sweet Potato, Peas, Oats and Crickets
- Chewy Cricket Treat with Pumpkin, Carrot, Oats and Crickets
I’m so glad to have learned about new food and treats to add to our rotation!
We have received Jiminy’s treats and food for review.
Kim Martinez says
I’m intrigued and grossed out all at the same time!
Colleen Stadnick says
I like this alternative to beef. I hate the idea that cows have to die for food. Thanks.
Jennylyn GRoss says
These sound so healthy and I only want the best for my baby (my dog)
monique s says
These look like great quality treats and I think my pup would love them.
Eva D says
This is a treat I think my dogs would love! They are always bug hunting in the yard so why not give them a treat they dont have to hunt for 🙂
Sharon Gilbert says
I think Schooner and Skipper would love it. They eat bugs!!! Sounds very interesting. I ate crickets 20 years ago when my son was at Purdue and they had a bug tasting. HA HA
Mary W says
I think crickets are a great idea for dog treats. Crickets are a healthy, highly nutritious renewable source of food for animals. I’m sure my dogs would love them!
Lisa Williams says
I’ve heard great things about crickets as food for humans so I wouldn’t mind my dogs Odin and Benjen trying these treats,I don’t think they would mind eating bugs since I think they got into mischief and have eaten worse things.
Cheryl Chervitz says
I think this is great. It helps with the climate and its good for them. I think my pups would love them.
Helga says
They sound nutritious for dogs and I believe in nature they would eat insects.
Julie Waldron says
I like that they’re made from natural ingredients and that they’re small. Our Maggie would like them.
kim blevins says
my dog loves treats but we cant always afford them
Jerry Lafferty says
I got no problem with my dog eating crickets, Ive heard they are a delicacy in some places and Im sure if I were in a situation that I was hungry enough I would eat them myself
wendy hutton says
they sound like very healthy treats the dogs might like them
David Heath says
Sounds yummy
Rana Durham says
I like that they feel like my dogs would love them because they love soft treats
Theresa Spaid says
It sounds like a healthy snack for Bandit so we will like to give it a try
Soraya M says
I would feel great feeding my dog these healthy snacks. I think he would love them.
Patricia McSharry says
Sounds great
neter8gmail says
This is different,but if my does like them,I am all in
Lawrence Fosnick Davis says
This is a great idea!`
Linda Szymoniak says
I actually won some cricket snack bars for humans a while back. I couldn’t bring myself to try them (but some friends did and actually liked them). I know my furbabies don’t have my issue with eating things like crickets (my dogs have eaten enough live ones in our back yard). I’m curious to try these with them.
Susan P. says
My guys would probably eat any insects they could catch anyway!
pro says
check this one as well Bgift.co.in
Warmie says
I’ve spoiled my fur babies with homemade treats and food over the years. But, as I age as well as them. I’ve been trying store bought this past year. I will definitely try these, They do appeal to me in many was. Lets hope the fur babies do to.
tammy ta says
I kinda feel that they are gross. But if my dog likes them he can have them. They are probably healthy
Charlotte Raynor says
I’m interested to see if my pup, Rizzo, would like these. I have to admit that I’m surprised that they contain crickets! I’m gain for new, nutritious treats for my dog.
Ashley Mains says
I think this would be a very interesting treat to have my dogs try! One of my dogs is a little picky but the other one eats just about anything! Hahah
Gina Ferrell says
My dog would love cricket dog treats and I definitely would feel good about feeding my dog these treats.
Leela says
I’m not sure what to think of them.
Sam says
They sound healthy, don’t know though if the dogs would like them or not. Always willing to try them though
starzine777 (@starzine777) says
Interesting and my dogs might enjoy these treats.
goonyburd says
I would definitely give them to my dog. I just wouldn’t eat them myself. LOL!
William says
Really helpful information. We can try feeding dogs with this protein food. But sometimes dogs are sensitive depending on the breed as well so need to be careful. I have sensitive and wonderful corgi but really need to be careful around his diet and I have had to take him to an animal hospital in emergency because of this. So would suggest you try and ask your vet to ensure you are on the right path. When I moved to Chicago I searched online and found a good clinic online from Greatvet. The vet helps me in the diet plan and any medication required.