# Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Insect-Based Complete Pet Foods
## 4 Discussion  
The nutritional value of pet food is becoming an increasingly important consideration for pet owners [3]. Moreover, the pet food market is undergoing a transformation due to the growing popularity of functional foods, which aim to provide health benefits that extend beyond basic nutrition. Such products frequently comprise probiotics and prebiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids, herbs, and extracts, which are designed to enhance immune function, digestive health, or skin and coat condition [43]. The function of complete pet food is to provide the requisite quantity of essential nutrients for the maintenance of optimal animal health. In order to fulfil this function, manufacturers of this type of food must adhere to the FEDIAF nutritional guidelines [36], which define the minimum recommended levels (MRLs) for key nutrients and represent best practice in food labeling [37]. The nutritional value of insect-based dog food is supported by scientific evidence indicating that insects provide essential amino acids and other nutrients that are beneficial to canine health. As evidenced by the findings of [PERSON] et al. [44], the quality of insect protein can be on par with or even exceed that of traditional protein sources such as fish meal. Additionally, the digestibility of organic matter derived from insects has been shown to reach as high as 90% [45]. The incorporation of insects into dog food not only fulfils their protein requirements, which vary depending on life stage and activity level, but also provides a balanced alternative to conventional meat sources [46]. This is particularly important in the context of growing concerns about the environmental impact of conventional animal husbandry, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions [47; 48]. The quality, quantity, and source of protein in a dog's diet can affect digestibility and assimilability [49; 50; 51]. Plant-based protein sources often do not provide adequate levels of some exogenous amine acids, requiring additional supplementation to meet the basic nutritional needs of dogs [52]. A deficiency or excess in this nutrient is deleterious to health. While the FEDIAF nutritional guidelines [36] do not specify an upper limit for this component in the diet, studies indicate that consuming high levels of protein with an incomplete amino acid profile may pose health risks [53]. These risks include structural protein damage, impaired neurotransmission, and reduced coat quality. The protein derived from insects approved for use in animal feeds is a valuable dietary component for animals due to its adequate content of essential amino acids for humans [54]. The protein content of the products under examination in this study is consistent with that observed in other extruded dry foods [55; 56]. The conversion factor most commonly used for protein determination in this study was found to overestimate the protein content of insects. This method is based on the estimation of the total nitrogen (N) concentration, which is converted into protein by multiplying it by the nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor (N-factor) for meat, which is typically set at 6.25. Other authors have highlighted that the prior removal of non-protein fractions rich in nitrogen can influence the final result, thereby providing a more accurate representation of the actual protein level [57; 58; 59]. Alternative ratios, such as 4.76 or 5.60, have been proposed [60], but the most widely accepted method for calculating protein content in feeds and pet food remains the use of a conversion factor of 6.25. Insects allowed for consumption by pets can not only provide high levels of valuable protein but also fat. The quality of fat from _Alphitobius diaperinus_, estimated using the AI (atherogenic index) and TI (thrombogenic index), indicates values of 1 [61].