• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.857-860
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• 2023

We investigated the fecal properties and hemoglobin levels in dogs fed with general canine diets and 7 black soldier fly-based companion canine diets. A total of 16 dogs, including 8 poodles (average weight 2.7±0.5 kg) and 8 bichon frises (average weight 2.0±0.5 kg) were used in this study. The changes in fecal properties of all treatments at 0 weeks and 2 weeks showed no significant differences (p>0.05). However, at 4 weeks, compared to the control group, all black soldier fly-based companion canine diets have an effect on fecal properties (p<0.05). Hemoglobin levels in all treatments were within the normal range. Therefore, feeding black soldier fly-based diets to canines affected the fecal properties and the hemoglobin level was not of clinical concern since it was within the desired reference intervals for healthy canines, indicating that the effect of iron supplementation and anemia prevention was not observed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.853-856
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• 2023

This study assesses the palatability of regular canine diets and seven types of black soldier fly-based canine diets when fed to dogs. Sixteen dogs of two types were included in this study: 8 poodles (average weight 2.7 kg ± 0.5) and 8 bichons frises(average weight 2.0 kg ± 0.5). For intake and first choice, two-bowl tests, adhering to standards of canine palatability, were conducted every two days for a total of 14 days by comparing between the control and each treatment. Data, including total intake and total first choice were collected and accumulated for a total of 58 days. This encompassed 14 days of data on comparison between control and treatments, and 44 days of data on comparison among treatment groups (e.g., T1 vs T2) of black soldier fly-based canine diets. Significance differences in canine palatability was observed in treatments (p<0.05), except for the control and T2 results. Among the two-bowl tests, T1 and T2 exhibited the lowest intake and first choices. In particular, the palatability of canine diets ranked in the order T6 > T3 > T7 > T4 > T5 compared to each control. The total intake demonstrated in the following ranking: T6 > T3 > T7 > T5 > Control > T4 > T2 > T1. The total first choice was highest for T6, followed by T3, T7, T5, T4, Control, T2, and T1. In conclusion, insect diets with higher protein content such as T6, T3, and T7 representing as black soldier fly-based canine diets exhibit higher intake and first choice preferences in canines.