Imagine dinner time for your pet and you grab a bowl filled with—yes—mealworms. While your friends might have some raised eyebrows, your pet? Most probably, they are happy and for this reason. Helpful resources!

Mealworms are little powerhouses. High in proteins, they give dogs the building blocks for strong bones, lustrous coats, and muscle. Whether your reptile is finicky, your bird is curious and you have a cat open to gastronomic exploration, mealworms offer a great crunch and a lot of nutritious content. Nothing compares to a meal heavy in protein and fat for animals in need of extra energy—think of hatching chicks or reptiles emerging from dormancy.

Also quite plentiful are vitamins and minerals. With lots of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and a fair amount of zinc, mealworms subtly cover many essential minerals your pet’s body needs everyday. Instead of empty calories, you get fuel for immune system health, healing, and growth.

Certain dogs find traditional treats heavy in grains and synthetic ingredients challenging. Mealworms, on the other hand, eschew common allergies and stomach issues. For those counting calories, these treats have low naturally occurring sugar and carbohydrate content. Straight forward, unvarnished, unfiltered bug perfection.

Mealworms have also a primeval quality. Birds and reptiles especially enjoy the hunt; their pounce or peck is like seeing Nature in motion. For a sprinkle of dried mealworms on their food, sometimes even fussy canines and small mammals go crazy. It gets animals moving and sniffing for their general health.

Sustainability also finds sneaky ways in. Mealworms grown for snack purposes call for much less land and water than beef or chicken. If you look after the earth and also your pets, mealworms are a progressive decision.

Think outside the usual treat bag next time you want to recognize your feathery, furry, or scaly friend. Into the mix put some mealworms. Their new preferred snack is nature’s own superfood.