Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Critter
Crunch
Insects are serving as a great alternative to pet food.
2.1
Trend score
Trend
What is the Critter Crunch trend?
Critter Crunch: As sustainable practices continue to evolve and impact a variety of industries, insect protein is emerging in the food and beverage space, and now it's making its way to the pet industry. These insect-based pet foods speak to the consumer desire to maintain balanced diets for their pets, and cater to the broader desire for cost-effective and sustainable purchase decisions.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Critter Crunch trend
The average North American consumer today deals with some apprehension about what the future will look like with global issues like climate change at play. Because of these anxieties, consumers are making small changes in their day-to-day in order to feel better about their personal impact on the environment–as well as slowly grow accustomed to the inevitable changes that they'll one day have to make as climate change progresses.
Trend themes
Themes within the Critter Crunch trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Insect protein
The rise of insect protein as a sustainable alternative in the food and beverage industry has extended to pet food with a focus on balanced diets and eco-friendly purchasing decisions.
02
Sustainable pet food
Consumers' anxieties about environmental issues are driving demand for sustainable pet food, providing opportunities for innovation in the pet food industry.
03
Single-protein diets
Single-protein diets are becoming popular in the pet food industry, providing an opportunity for businesses to offer alternative protein sources such as insects.
Industry implications
What the Critter Crunch trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Pet food
Innovative companies are meeting consumer demand for sustainable and nutritious pet food by incorporating insect protein and single-protein diets.
For
Food and beverage
The rise of insect protein as a sustainable alternative in pet food is part of a larger trend in the food and beverage industry that emphasizes sustainable and ethical practices.
For
Environmental sustainability
The focus on sustainability in the pet food industry highlights the broader need for eco-friendly practices and innovations across all industries.
Workshop question
How can your brand tap into more sustainable alternatives in order to reach a wider target audience?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Critter Crunch
Trend score 2.1 out of 10, from popularity 26%, activity 27%, freshness 9%.
Popularity26%
Activity27%
Freshness9%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Critter Crunch trend
5 featured examples from Jun 9, 2016 to Oct 4, 2019CategoryEco
Insect-Based Dog Foods
'Yora' is an Innovative Dog Food with a Single Protein Source
The pet food industry can explore insect-based protein sources and single-protein diets to meet consumer demand for sustainable and healthy pet food options.
CategoryLifestyle
Bug-Based Dog Biscuits
Buggy Bix Makes Sustainable Treats for Dogs with Different Kinds of Bugs
The pet food manufacturing industry can explore the use of insects and alternative protein sources to create sustainable and innovative pet treats.
CategoryLifestyle
Cricket Flour Dog Chews
HEXA Foods' 'Bug Bites' are Made with a Base of Fruit and Cricket Powder
The pet food industry can capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable and protein-rich pet treats using cricket powder as an ingredient.
CategoryLifestyle
Naturally Raised Cricket Proteins
Spring Protein
Cricket protein products can be used as an ingredient in a wide variety of food and beverage products, presenting a significant opportunity for innovation in the food industry.
CategoryLifestyle
Insect-Based Dog Treats
'Wilder & Harrier' Treats are Made from Cricket Protein
The pet food industry could explore insect-based and alternative protein sources to offer more sustainable and nutritious pet food options.
