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Frequently Asked Questions
Feeding
How many servings should I get from a 1kg bag, assuming that my cat only eats Lovebug™ cat food?
There is about 14 to 20 days of food in the 1kg pack, depending on the weight of your cat. For full information check out the feeding guide on the pack or on the website.
How easy is it to switch from my current cat food to Lovebug™?
Every cat is different, but you will find the switching guide on the pack and on our website describing the best way to switch your cat’s food.
How much Lovebug™ cat food should I feed my cat?
Find full information about the purrfect serving size on the pack or on the website.
How long before my Lovebug™ cat food goes off?
Keep your 1kg bag of Lovebug™ cat food stored in a cool and dry place, out of direct sunlight, and with the top of the bag folded over to make sure the kibble stays tasty for months. You can find the ‘Best Before Date’ printed on the pack.
How often should I feed my cat with Lovebug™ cat food?
Find out more using the handy feeding guide on the pack or on the website.
Can I alternate freely between feeding my cat Lovebug™ cat food and meat-based cat food?
Yes, it is possible to alternate between Lovebug™ and other nutritionally complete cat food if you wish.
Does my cat need wet food as well as dry?
Lovebug™ cat food is a complete and balanced food for cats. It provides all the nutrients your feline friend needs, in just the right amount and ratios. There is no need to feed your cat any other food at all - either wet or dry! There is actually no requirement for cats to eat wet food, because complete and balanced nutrition can be provided in either form. It just depends on what your cat prefers. Remember to always put out water next to your pet’s food (wet or dry) so they’ve got enough to drink.
Do I need to give my cat any other food besides Lovebug™ cat food?
No, Lovebug™ cat food is nutritionally complete and balanced, created by experts specially for cats. That means it provides all the nutrients a cat needs, in the correct amounts and ratios. So there is no need to feed it any other food at all if you don't want to.
Ingredients
How are the insects treated?
Lovebug™ cat food sources its insects from a farm in The Netherlands, who take great care and responsibility when it comes to animal welfare. This starts from the breeding stage all the way through to the final stage of processing. They are committed to the following principles of animal welfare: Freedom from hunger and thirst Freedom from discomfort Freedom from pain, injury or disease Freedom to express normal behaviour Freedom from fear and distress
What type of insects is Lovebug™ cat food made from?
Lovebug™ cat food is made using black soldier fly larvae. These insects can be reared on a wide range of food industry by-products (that would otherwise go to waste), making them a circular and sustainable source of protein. Black soldier fly proteins have just the right proportion of amino acids, fatty acids and minerals, which are essential for pet nutrition.
What are the full ingredients and nutritional values for Lovebug™ cat food?
Ingredients: Dried insect meal (30%), maize, wheat, dried cereal protein, vegetable oil, minerals, soy protein, flavour from vegetable sources, cellulose, rice, dried beet pulp, yeast. Analytical Constituents: Protein: 28.9%, Fat content: 12.1%, Inorganic matter: 8.23%, Crude fibre: 5.6% Additives (per kg): Antioxidants / Nutritional additives: Vitamin A 11453 IU, Vitamin D3 1263.1 IU, Copper (Copper(II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 4.3 mg, Iodine (Potassium Iodide) 1.1 mg, Iron (Iron(II) Sulphate, Monohydrate) 28.9 mg, Manganese (Manganous Sulphate, Monohydrate) 30.3 mg, Taurine 18.2 mg, Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.2 mg, Zinc (Zinc Sulphate, Monohydrate) 36.8 mg.
What is the difference between Lovebug™ cat food and traditional meat cat food?
Lovebug™ cat food contains all of the taste and nutritional goodness of a traditional meat-based cat food, without the traditional meat. Instead, it uses insect protein as its primary source of protein and amino acids.
Does Lovebug contain palm oil?
No, Lovebug™ cat food does not contain any palm oil.
What does Lovebug™ cat food look like?
Lovebug™ cat food is a dry kibble, that looks like any other kibble! It's about 6mm in diameter and has been specially formulated for your feline friend’s enjoyment.
What does Lovebug™ cat food smell like?
Lovebug™ cat food smells pretty much like most other cat foods!
What ingredients are used to make Lovebug™ cat food?
The main ingredient is black soldier fly larvae insect meal, which is also the main source of protein and several other essential nutrients such as amino acids.Lovebug™ cat food also contains maize and wheat, which provide carbohydrates and fibre. The full list of ingredients can be found on the back of the pack.Core ingredients are: Insects (30%); Maize (19%); Wheat (19%); Soy protein (4.5%); Beet pulp fiber (1.5%). You can also refer to our product page or the answer of the question ‘What are the full ingredients and nutritional values for Lovebug™ cat food?’
Does Lovebug™ cat food contain dairy/ lactose?
Nope, no dairy. Most cats are lactose-intolerant, so consuming dairy products that aren’t specially formulated with reduced lactose can sometimes lead to an upset stomach.
Is Lovebug™ cat food gluten free? Is gluten bad for my cat?
Lovebug™ cat food is not gluten free – but gluten allergies and intolerances in cats are extremely rare. If you feel your cat has sensitivities to gluten, talk to your vet.
Does this product contain grain? Is grain bad for my cat?
It does – Lovebug™ cat food contains wheat, maize and rice. There's no evidence that grain is harmful to cats.
Is this cat food complete cat food? And what does complete cat food actually mean?
Yes, Lovebug™ cat food is complete cat food. That means it provides all the nutrients your cat needs to be its bounciest, fluffiest self!
Are there any side effects of the ingredients? And what are the potential issues or health concerns that could arise from a reaction?
Moving on to a new diet too quickly can sometimes cause tummy troubles for your cat. Switch to Lovebug™ cat food gradually, following the transition guide on the pack.
Where do your insects come from?
The insects come from a feed manufacturing company based in The Netherlands.
Does Lovebug™ cat food contain soy?
Yes, soy is used as a healthy, plant-derived source of protein.
Does Lovebug™ cat food contain artificial colours, flavours or preservatives?
Lovebug™ cat food contains no artificial colours. Preservatives are added to ensure the kibble stays fresh and tasty until your cat has enjoyed the whole bag.
How does Lovebug™ cat food differ from other pet foods?
Lovebug™ cat food is the first 100% insect-based cat food available in the UK. Lovebug™ is a real pet-food breakthrough, containing no traditional meat sources and instead packed full of protein rich insects.
How does Lovebug™ cat food differ from other insect-based pet foods?
Lovebug™ cat food is the first ‘insect only’ cat food in the UK. It contains no other animal products and is nutritionally complete.Not even the coating of the kibble contains animal fats. This was no small feat! Mars Petcare pushed boundaries to ensure it was completely free of traditional meat sources while also being nutritionally complete and balanced, and,of course, delicious for cats. Lovebug™ cat food contains arachidonic acid, which is an essential nutrient for cats.Typically, this would come from animal sources, but, thanks to Mars Petcare’s innovation, Lovebug™ cat food contains arachidonic acid derived from fungi.
Good for your cat
Is Lovebug™ cat food good for cats with allergies?
Lovebug is hypoallergenic. It is well known that the majority of dietary allergies in cats are caused by beef, dairy or fish.Lovebug is free from such ingredients and relies on a novel insect protein source which considerably reduces the risk of intolerances being triggered.
Is insect-based cat food vegetarian? Is it vegan?
Insects are part of the animal kingdom! Which means that insect-based cat food does not meet the definition of a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Is it suitable for cats with conditions, for example weight or food sensitivity?
Lovebug™ cat food may be suitable for cats who have shown sensitivities to traditional protein sources such as chicken or beef.If you have concerns over food sensitivities or other conditions, please consult your veterinarian.
Is it ethically wrong to take away a cat’s natural choice to eat meat?
Cats need animal protein to survive.Lovebug cat food simply provides a different kind of animal protein– insect protein – which can fulfil a cat’s nutritional needs.
What type of cat is this for?
Lovebug™ cat food is suitable for any adult cat (aged one year old and upwards).
Are there any cats that should not eat Lovebug™ cat food e.g. those with any existing health conditions?
If you're concerned about feeding Lovebug™ cat food to your cat, please talk to your cat's vet.
What age cats is Lovebug™ cat food suitable for?
Adult cats. Cats are generally considered to be an adult when reaching one year old.
Is Lovebug™ cat food safe for my kittens?
Lovebug™ cat food was developed to meet the nutritional requirements of adult cats, and is therefore not recommended for kittens.
What makes Lovebug™ cat food unsuitable for kittens?
Kittens have different nutritional needs to adult cats.Lovebug has been developed to meet the nutritional requirements of adult cats only. For further information, please consult your vet.
Is Lovebug™ cat food suitable for senior cats?
According to MPENs and FEDIAF, there is no difference between the nutritional requirements for adult cats and senior cats,therefore Lovebug is safe for senior cats. Our senior scientists agree that it contains the correct level of amino acids and phosphorous to suit our 'more distinguished' feline friends.
Is Lovebug™ cat food safe for other pets?
Lovebug™ cat food was developed for, well, cats! It is therefore not recommended as food for other pets.
Can your food help if I have a fat cat?
Lovebug™ cat food was developed to deliver all of the nutritional requirements and energy an adult cat requires (when fed according to the feeding guidelines on pack or on the website). If you have concerns about your cat’s weight, have a chat with your vet for tailored nutritional advice.
Can Lovebug™ cat food help keep my cat's teeth healthy?
Yes – Lovebug™ cat food contains active ingredients that, in combination with the kibble's texture, help to keep teeth healthy.
Do you make kitten food?
Not at the moment! Lovebug™ cat food was developed to meet the nutritional requirements of adult cats - kittens have slightly different nutritional needs.
How should feeding routines change during a cat pregnancy?
Please consult your cat’s veterinarian directly.
Cats are obligate carnivores – they need to eat meat to survive. Can an insect-based cat food really be safe and healthy for them?
Lovebug™ cat food simply offers a different kind of animal protein – from black soldier fly larvae – that can fulfil all of a cat’s nutritional needs.The United Nations Food and Agriculture Programme states that insects are a high-quality protein source, rich in fibre and micronutrients similar to meat and fish.
How do you know that insects give cats everything they need nutritionally?
Insects aren't enough on their own. That's why there are other ingredients in Lovebug™ cat food.So whichever nutrients your cat can’t get from insects, they’ll get from another tasty ingredient.
What nutrients are missing compared to meat-based food, and how does Lovebug™ cat food make up for them? How does the nutritional value of Lovebug™ compare with meat-based cat food?
Lovebug™ cat food has been developed in line with FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines to provide complete nutrition.The insects used don't contribute the required levels of some nutrients, such as taurine.These nutrients are therefore added to the kibble, to make sure your furry friend gets everything it needs.
What are the health benefits for cats consuming insects?
The insects used in Lovebug™ cat food (black soldier fly larvae) are a great source of protein, essential fatty acids, amino acids and minerals (such as calcium).
Is cats’ consumption of insects recommended by vets?
The British Veterinary Association recognises the need for sustainable animal feed, and that insects could have a role in meeting it.
What testing has Lovebug™ cat food undergone?
Countless assessments during the development process have ensured that it’s both tasty and good for your cat.
Can insects not carry diseases or pathogens that can be passed on to my cat?
The type of insects used, and the process that the insects and the petfood are passed through, are all designed to produce a safe and nutritious feed for your cat. Please also refer to the question and answer of ‘how are the insects treated’.