What is chitin?
Chitin is a type of fiber that gives structure and firmness to the tissue of animals. Just as cellulose is a fiber in the plant kingdom, chitin is a fiber in the animal kingdom.
Where is chitin found?
Chitin was first discovered in fungi, and is found in many different organisms in the animal kingdom:
in the shell of shellfish, such as shrimp and crayfish
in the shell of insects
in mushrooms, such as champignons and chanterelles
in yeast
in the cell walls of microorganisms, such as algae, fungi and bacteria
in fish scales
When it comes to insects, chitin is found in the exoskeleton, shell and wings. We use the black soldier fly larvae in our food. It is a soft larvae and thus has no shell, which make the chitin content low.
Can dogs or cats digest insects?
Studies have been done on both dogs and cats to determine the digestibility, that is, the ability of the animal's gastrointestinal system to digest the protein and absorb the nutrition. The digestibility of our insect protein is 85-90%, i.e. a very high digestibility. High digestibility is considered to be over 80%. Each batch of our insect meal and feed is always checked for protein and nutrient content.
A summary and references on the research behind protein quality and digestibility of insects can be found here.
Is chitin or insects harmful for dogs or cats?
There is nothing to suggest that chitin in foods would be harmful or toxic to dogs, cats or humans, and the Swedish Food Agency has no regulations on limiting foods with chitin in their diet. Black soldier fly larvae is one of the species controlled and approved in the EU for consumption by both humans and pets. To be approved, the foods must be deemed safe to eat by EFSA.
Among the studies done on insect protein for dogs and cats, factors such as digestibility and safety have been investigated. In the studies, clinical examinations are carried out, and faecal samples and blood samples are taken to investigate whether the diet affects the animal negatively in any way. No side effects or safety risks have been reported for black soldier fly larvae as a protein source for dogs and cats. We have gathered many of the studies done on this page. Below is one example.
In 2020, Kröger et al conducted a study that aimed to investigate the digestibility of black soldier fly larvae, as well as whether there would be any negative effects from the immune system in dogs. The study concluded that the group that ate the insect-based diet had as high digestibility as the control group, and that there was no effect on immunological reactions on clinical examination or in blood values.
Can chitin have positive health effects?
Dietary fiber can have health benefits for the gut and gut flora in humans and animals, through its action as a prebiotic. Some studies conclude that chitin can act as a prebiotic in the colon as it is partially fermented by the good intestinal bacteria, and thereby provide positive health effects.
In 2016, Bosch et al conducted a study that aimed to investigate how chitin is digested by microorganisms in the intestines of dogs. Chitin from insects and shrimp were compared, where it was found that the degradation of chitin from insects was higher. During the breakdown, butyrate was formed, a healthy fatty acid which, among other things, nourishes cells in the intestinal walls and can reduce inflammation in the intestine.
Nagataine et al conducted a study in 2017 that aimed to investigate the effect of chitin on inflammation in the colon in mice. One group received chitin supplementation, and the other group served as a control. The study showed that the group that received chitin had a lower degree of inflammation in the intestine and a healthier intestinal flora than the control group.
In 2021, Kipkoech et al conducted a study that investigated chitin's impact on microorganisms in the human gut. The study showed that chitin increased the growth of probiotic bacteria, and at the same time inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria, such as salmonella.
The substance glucosamine, which is used in food supplements for its positive and anti-inflammatory effects on cartilage and joint health, comes from chitin, and is usually produced from the shell of shrimp and crayfish.
Is chitin in foods linked to allergies?
People or animals with an allergy to crustaceans can also react to insects. In case of shellfish allergy, it is commonly not chitin that the allergic person reacts to, but proteins in the shellfish meat. Since insects and shellfish are both arthropods and thus closely related, their "meat" and protein are similar, and a shellfish allergy can therefore also react to insects. If you have an animal with a suspected crustacean allergy, you should therefore be aware of a risk of cross-reaction.
In the case of a mite allergy, it is also suspected that a cross-reaction with insects may occur, because mites and insects also belong to the same animal group. This is an area of research and more studies are needed to confirm or deny a clinical connection. If you have a dog with a mite or shellfish allergy, we always recommend consulting your veterinarian if changing food.