Puppy
For growing puppies of all breeds
Sustainability
Sustainable dog food, made with insect protein
We want to feed dogs well while using the planet’s resources carefully. For us that covers three things: the protein we use, the people we work with and the packaging the food comes in.
The protein
Why the protein matters most
Protein is the most resource-hungry part of a dog’s food. Dogs eat a meaningful share of the meat the world produces, and raising livestock takes a great deal of land, water and feed.
Insects are a more efficient alternative. Black soldier fly larvae grow quickly, are farmed in compact, controlled spaces and turn their feed into protein efficiently. They can also be raised on suitable plant-based by-products, which makes use of material that would otherwise have little value.
The result is a complete protein for dogs that asks less of the planet than meat does.
Compared with livestock
What insect farming needs less of
Land
Insects are farmed indoors in a small space, so they need less land than animals that graze or are fed on crops.
Water
Producing insect protein takes less water than producing protein from livestock.
Feed
Insects need less feed to produce protein, and that feed can include suitable plant-based by-products.
People
Sustainability includes people
We chose to make our food in South Africa, a country our family has called home for many years. It is a beautiful country with real social challenges, and good jobs and education are part of the answer.
So when we choose partners, expertise is only one of the things we look for. We want to work with businesses that offer safe working conditions and stable employment, and that invest in the knowledge and skills of the people who work for them.
We are a small company, and our contribution is modest. We intend to keep making it.
Packaging
Packaging: where we are, honestly
Our bags are resealable. That keeps the food fresh from the first bowl to the last, which means less of it is wasted.
A dog food bag has to protect the food from air, light and moisture, and that makes it hard to produce one with a low footprint. Whether a bag can actually be recycled also depends on the facilities where you live.
We are working towards lower-impact packaging, and we will say more here when we have verified information to share.
The rest of the recipe
Thoughtful choices beyond the protein
Omega-3 from algae
The DHA in our recipes comes from marine algae, so the food does not rely on fish for it.
Hardy grains
Sorghum and millet are ancient grains long grown in Africa, and they are the main grains in every recipe.
Health first
A sustainable food only makes sense if it is good for the dog. Every recipe is complete and balanced.
The recipes
Four recipes, one protein
Every Nala Health recipe is built on insect protein. Choose by age and size.
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Adult Small Breed
For adult dogs under 10 kg
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Adult Medium to Large Breed
For adult dogs over 10 kg
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Senior and Weight Management
For dogs over 7, or adults watching their weight
Questions about sustainability
Is insect protein really more sustainable than meat?
Insect farming needs less land, water and feed than raising livestock to produce protein. How large the difference is depends on the farm and on how it is measured, which is why we describe it in words and do not quote figures.
Is the packaging recyclable?
We do not want to promise that until we have verified it. Whether a bag can be recycled depends on its materials and on local recycling facilities. The bags are resealable to keep the food fresh, and we are working towards lower-impact packaging.
Where is Nala Health made?
The food is produced in South Africa.
Is insect protein good for my dog, or only for the planet?
Both. Black soldier fly larvae are a complete protein with all the essential amino acids, and because the protein is new to most dogs, many dogs with food sensitivities do well on it. Read more on our insect protein page.
Does the food contain fish?
No. The DHA omega-3 in the recipes comes from marine algae.
Good for your dog, lighter on the planet
Choose a complete recipe for your dog’s age and size.