# Alt-Protein Pet Foods VELI's Functional Wet Pet Food Features an Insect-Derived Protein Ingredient By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-05-27 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veli References: [petfoodprocessing.net](https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/20517-proteine-resources-debuts-functional-wet-dog-food-with-alternative-protein) & [proteineresources](https://www.proteineresources.com/)  To fill a gap in the market for accessibly priced gut health pet nutrition solutions, Proteine Resources announced VELI, a range of functional wet pet foods made with an alternative protein ingredient. The line features EntoPro, made from insect-derived protein and functional bioactives sourced from mushroom by-products, which delivers protein, prebiotic fiber and bioactive compounds. This alt-protein is paired with postbiotics to support both gut and skin health. Proteine Resources is currently seeking partnerships with direct-to-consumer pet food brands, retail chains, and private-label manufacturers interested in the functional wet pet food segment. Ahead of its official market launch, VELI is running a product testing platform and planning to get ingredient certification for EntoPro in Canada and the United States later this year. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.1/10 - Popularity: 69% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 78% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Pets](https://www.trendhunter.com/pets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Alternative-protein Pet Foods:** Emergence of affordable, nutrient-dense proteins for pets creates potential to upend traditional meat-based formulations with sustainable, scalable ingredient sources. - **Insect-derived Functional Ingredients:** Use of insect protein combined with bioactive compounds signals a shift toward multifunctional ingredients that deliver nutrition plus targeted physiological benefits. - **Postbiotic-enhanced Pet Nutrition:** Growing incorporation of postbiotics and prebiotic fibers into wet foods indicates a move from basic feeding to microbiome-focused products that differentiate on gut and skin health outcomes. ### Who This Affects Most - **Pet Food Manufacturing:** Manufacturers capable of integrating novel proteins and bioactives into wet formats stand to redefine product portfolios and cost structures across mainstream and premium lines. - **Retail Pet Chains:** Retailers offering shelf space to functional, alt-protein pet foods may transform category assortment and consumer expectations around sustainability and health claims. - **Ingredient Certification and Testing:** Certification bodies and testing labs positioned to validate safety and efficacy of insect-derived and postbiotic ingredients could become gatekeepers for market access in new protein categories. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dinosaur-Inspired Cat Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dino-bowl.md) - [AI-Powered Pet Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petkit.md) - [Festively Themed Pet Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pooch-mutt-2025-christmas-range.md) - [Nourishing Cat Food Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/applaws-pet-food.md) - [Allergy-Friendly Dog Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allergy-friendly-dog-food.md) - [Elevated Working Dog Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mayfield.md) - [Food Vacuum Sealers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vacuum-sealer-pro.md) - [Plant-Powered Wet Dog Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wet-food-for-dogs.md) - [Allergy-Friendly Vegan Dog Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hownd-plant-powered-superfood.md)