LAUNCHING AT FARM FEST 22 · 05 · 26 UK MADE HAND BAKED TREATS WITH PURPOSE
LAUNCHING AT FARM FEST 22 · 05 · 26 UK MADE HAND BAKED TREATS WITH PURPOSE
Insect protein 101

Like meat, but friendlier.

Everything you need to know about why black soldier fly larvae are the smartest protein choice for your dog — and the planet.

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42%
protein by dry weight —
comparable to chicken
97%
less water used
vs. beef production
0
dogs reacted in 2023
allergy clinical study
1x
single ingredient —
nothing added, nothing hidden
Add your larvae / treat photo here
What are BSFL?

Nutrition that doesn’t bite back.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are a complete, scientifically-backed protein source — naturally rich in amino acids, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory properties. Think of them as nature’s most efficient protein factory.

They’re farmed right here in the UK using food waste as feed, which means they create a closed-loop, low-impact food chain your dog benefits from directly. No rainforests. No factory farms. Just great nutrition from a tiny, mighty source.

And because most dogs have never eaten insect protein before, their immune system doesn’t recognise it as a threat — making it naturally hypoallergenic from day one.

The benefits

The science of feeling good.

From sensitive skin to sensitive stomachs, insect protein tackles your dog’s biggest health challenges — naturally.

Allergies & sensitivities

Hypoallergenic by nature.

Beef, chicken, and dairy are responsible for the vast majority of food allergy reactions in dogs — yet they appear in almost every mainstream treat on the market. Insect protein is completely different.

Because most dogs have never eaten BSFL before, their immune system has no prior reaction to build on. In a 2023 clinical study of allergy-prone dogs, not one dog reacted negatively to insect protein.

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Novel protein

Insect protein is unique — most dogs’ immune systems have never encountered it, so they can’t have developed an allergy to it.

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Anti-inflammatory properties

High lauric acid content actively calms inflammation — helping dogs who react to traditional proteins feel comfortable again.

No nasties, ever

Single ingredient. No fillers, no common allergens, no additives. Just pure insect protein your dog can actually tolerate.

Happy allergy-free dog photo
How it compares
0reactions
Insect protein
(2023 study)
vs
Top #1
Chicken — most
common allergen
Gut health

Easier to digest. Better poops.

Insect protein is naturally easy on the digestive system. Unlike heavily processed meat sources, BSFL protein has a gentle, highly digestible amino acid profile that dogs’ guts handle with ease.

Studies show that dogs fed insect-based diets show measurable improvements in stool quality, reduced digestive discomfort, and better overall microbiome balance.

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Highly digestible

BSFL protein is broken down more efficiently than red meat, meaning your dog gets more nutrition with less gut effort.

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Microbiome support

A 2022 study found insect-based diets increased beneficial gut bacteria — supporting immunity, metabolism, and digestion.

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Antimicrobial lauric acid

Insect protein is rich in lauric acid, shown to fight bad gut bacteria and support a stronger immune response.

Happy tummy dog photo
Digestibility
High
Insect protein
digestibility
vs
Lower
Many red meat
protein sources
Skin & coat

Ditch the itch. Hello shine.

Insect protein is naturally anti-inflammatory, which means it tackles one of the most common root causes of itchy, irritated skin in dogs — inflammation triggered by food.

Clinical studies show that dogs on insect protein diets develop stronger skin barriers, retain more moisture, and show significantly reduced itching and lesions — especially dogs with food-triggered dermatitis.

Stronger skin barrier

Dogs fed BSFL retain more skin moisture than those fed chicken — less water loss means more comfortable, hydrated skin.

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Antioxidant boost

Insect protein raises Vitamin E levels by 30% compared to chicken — boosting your dog’s natural defences against inflammation.

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Clinically proven

A 2025 study found insect protein diets reduced flare-ups, skin lesions, and itchiness in dogs with food allergy dermatitis — with no adverse reactions.

Dog with shiny coat photo
Vitamin E comparison
30% more
Insect protein
vs. chicken
vs
Baseline
Chicken-based
protein
Sustainability

Same protein. Tiny footprint.

The global pet food industry has a significant environmental footprint — most treats are made from the same intensively farmed meat that’s straining the planet’s resources.

Insect farming is one of the most efficient protein production methods on earth. Our BSFL are raised on food waste, in a fraction of the space, using a fraction of the resources — and every batch is traceable back to our farm in Staffordshire.

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97% less water than beef

Insect farming uses a fraction of the water required for conventional livestock — making each treat dramatically lighter on the planet.

♻️
Fed on food waste

Our larvae are raised on organic food waste — turning what would otherwise go to landfill into high-quality dog nutrition.

🇬🇧
UK farmed & traceable

Every single batch of larvae comes from our own farm in Staffordshire. No opaque supply chains — just honest, British-made protein.

Farm / sustainability photo
Water use per kg of protein
~1kL
Insect protein
vs
~34kL
Beef
Got questions?

Frequently asked.

No silly questions — only silly sausages. If yours isn’t here, drop us a line at hello@syntects.co.uk

About insect protein
Bug&Bark treats use Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) — the same species used in clinically-backed research on canine nutrition. They’re a complete protein source, rich in amino acids, healthy fats, and natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Not all insects are created equal — BSFL are by far the most studied and nutritionally impressive.
BSFL have a savoury, malty flavour — often described as similar to sesame or peanuts. Dogs tend to go absolutely wild for them. The natural oils and fatty acid profile make insect treats highly palatable, even for fussy eaters.
Our treats are hand-baked using milled BSFL protein — so no, you won’t see whole larvae. The treats look and feel like regular dog treats. If you’re squeamish, rest assured: your dog is getting all the nutrition with none of the visual drama.
Far from it. Insects have been consumed by humans across Asia, Africa, and Latin America for centuries. What’s new is the clinical research — and the results are compelling. With multiple peer-reviewed studies backing its nutritional profile and hypoallergenic properties, insect protein is increasingly recognised by vets and nutritionists as a genuinely superior protein choice for sensitive dogs.
Health & nutrition
Yes — insect protein is naturally hypoallergenic. Because most dogs have never eaten BSFL before, their immune systems have had no opportunity to develop a reaction to it. A 2023 study of allergy-prone dogs found that none reacted negatively to insect protein. It’s also anti-inflammatory, which helps soothe dogs who are already reacting to other proteins.
Hydrolysed protein is a chemically processed version of an existing protein (like chicken) — the amino acids are broken down into smaller fragments so they’re less likely to trigger a reaction. However, highly sensitive dogs can still react to hydrolysed proteins, and the process doesn’t add any nutritional benefits. Insect protein is a genuinely novel protein — naturally hypoallergenic, with added anti-inflammatory and gut-friendly benefits that hydrolysed proteins can’t offer.
BSFL protein contains all the essential amino acids dogs need. It’s also naturally rich in healthy fats (including lauric acid and omegas), calcium, iron, and B vitamins. The British Veterinary Association recognises insect protein as a sustainable and nutritionally complete protein source for dogs and cats.
Insect protein is one of the most digestible protein sources available for dogs. Its amino acid profile is gentle on the gut, and the natural antimicrobial properties of lauric acid help balance gut bacteria. Multiple studies show improved stool quality, reduced digestive discomfort, and better microbiome diversity in dogs switched to insect-based diets.
About Bug&Bark
Our black soldier fly larvae are farmed at our own insect farm in Yoxall, Staffordshire — the same farm behind our Syntects calci-worms and Flytiliser fertiliser. Every batch is fully traceable. There are no overseas supply chains, no mystery ingredients — just honest, British-farmed protein.
We’re currently perfecting our recipes and hand-baking in test batches. We’ll be at Farm Fest (22–24 May 2026, Stoneleigh Park) with our first samples — come and let your dog be the judge. Join the waitlist on our homepage to be first in line when we launch.
Our treats are made for dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes. They’re particularly well-suited for dogs with food sensitivities, allergies, skin issues, or sensitive stomachs. As with any new food, we recommend introducing insect treats gradually — a few at a time over the first week — to give your dog’s gut time to adjust.

Ready to give it a try?

Join the Bug&Bark waitlist and be first to know when we launch — plus an exclusive offer just for early supporters.

Join the waitlist →