Absolutely, bearded dragons love alfalfa sprouts.
You can feed them the sprouts both wet and dry. What makes alfalfa sprouts so “good” for your Bearded dragons? Well, it’s all about nutrition. Alfa has lots of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin c, vitamin k… just to name a few.
Alfalfa is also very low in fat which means that Bearded dragons are less likely to get obese off Alfalfa sprouts than they are off something like meat. Check out the vegetable list.
Valuable Nutrients in Alfalfa Sprouts
What are some valuable nutrients in alfalfa sprouts for your bearded dragon?
Alfalfa sprouts are rich in protein, with approximately 8 grams of protein per cup. Bearded dragons require high amounts of protein in their diet, making alfalfa sprouts an excellent choice for your bearded dragon.
Additionally, Alfalfa is low in fat and contains no cholesterol. These properties make it possible for you to feed alfalfa sprouts to your Bearded dragon with less concern that he will become obese.
Alfalfa sprouts are also rich in calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium sodium, and several other important minerals. While these nutrients can be found in many foods, the high concentration of them here makes alfalfa sprouts an excellent addition to your Bearded dragon’s diet.
Benefits of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Alfalfa Sprouts
Bearded dragons are omnivores or animals that eat both meat and plant matter, so providing them with a varied diet is important. Because the majority of their diet should come either from live prey or vegetables/fruit, you can supplement their intake of fresh produce by feeding them alfalfa sprouts. This is true even if they have just eaten because these deep green leaves are very rich in nutrients and offer several health benefits including:
“Natural source of protein and calcium for Bearded Dragons. The high protein content also makes alfalfa sprouts an excellent choice for pregnant females .” “Alfalfa sprouts are full of phytochemicals, amino acids, vitamins A & C, and omega-3 fatty acids .” “These nutrients, phytochemicals, and fiber in alfalfa sprouts may help protect against cancer. Growing research shows that these substances may prevent the growth of certain types of cancer cells. There is also some evidence that alfalfa can fight pre-cancerous changes in the body.
Vegetables Bearded Dragons Can Eat
Concerns Regarding Feeding My Bearded Dragon Alfalfa Sprouts
Despite all of these potential health benefits, people often wonder if feeding their pet store-bought alfalfa sprouts is okay because they are “processed”.
The truth is, alfalfa sprouts that you buy in the store are no less natural than alfalfa sprouts that you grow at home. They differ mainly because domesticated animals like Bearded dragons do not typically eat large quantities of fresh vegetables. Therefore, feeding them store-bought sprouts allows them to reap all of these health benefits without overloading their bodies with too many nutrients.
Alfalfa sprout care is simple and doesn’t require any special attention or equipment. All you must do is rinse your alfalfa sprout bag once every two weeks, let it air dry for an hour, and put it back in your refrigerator. Your Bearded dragon will love it.
Alternative Foods for Bearded Dragons
While alfalfa sprouts are awesome for any beardie. Some dragons just may not like them for whatever reason. Some similar foods are:
- Dandelions (Poria)
- Clover (Trifolium)
- Plantain (Plantago)
These foods also have many of the same benefits as alfalfa sprouts and can be fed to your pet Bearded dragon with the same frequency. Just like alfalfa sprouts, dandelions and plantain are also very nutritious and contain many important vitamins and minerals.
How Often Can I Feed My Bearded Dragon Alfalfa Sprouts?
Alfalfa sprouts can be fed to your Bearded dragon as a treat every day.
Feeding alfalfa sprouts provides many health benefits and is more nutritious than some of the other treats that you can offer your pet on a regular basis. Because they are high in protein, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids, these deep green leaves should only make up about 10% of your bearded dragon’s diet.
However, it’s always best to let your Bearded dragon decide how often he wants to eat alfalfa sprouts because individual dragons have different preferences for food. If you live with a very picky eater who doesn’t eat much fresh produce at all, then feeding them alfalfa sprouts may not be an option.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Alfalfa Sprouts? – The Conclusion
In summary, absolutely. Bearded dragons can eat alfalfa sprouts. This is one of the most nutritious vegetables/fruit that you can feed your pet.