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Insect protein may strengthen the skin
A new scientific study shows that dogs fed an insect-based diet experienced improved skin health.
Stronger skin barrier
After 50 days of eating insect protein, analyses showed improvements in the dogs' skin — their skin retained more moisture and their skin barrier became stronger!
Stronger skin barrier - better health!
The skin is the body’s largest organ – and it’s essential for your dog’s overall health and well-being!
The results suggest that a diet with insect protein can:
Improve the skin’s protective barrier
...which is especially valuable for dogs with sensitive skin.
Support better moisture balance
...which may help reduce itching and irritation.
How the study was conducted
The researchers conducted a 50-day feeding study where two groups of dogs were given different diets: one containing insect protein, and a control group with chicken. Both diets were nutritionally equivalent, with the only difference being the protein source. The researchers then measured the health of the dogs’ skin barrier using two parameters: trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration (SCH) at two different skin sites — the ear and the belly.
The results showed that the skin barrier function improved in dogs fed the insect-based diet:
TEWL decreased, meaning that less water evaporated through the skin, which indicates that the skin barrier’s ability to retain moisture improved.
SCH increased, which means the moisture content in the outermost layer of the skin rose — something that is important for the skin’s structure, suppleness, and protection against irritation.
The researchers conclusion is that insect protein it proved effective in improving skin barrier function, making it a valuable alternative protein source for dogs, particularly those with sensitive skin or allergies manifesting on the skin.
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