Hey guys.
I've been trying to find some info on dehydrated foods, but I've come up empty handed. I decided to take my questions to the experts - You guys!
So. Dehydrated foods - yes? No? Pros, Cons?
Now, I'm not talking freeze died crickets, no. But dehydrated veggies (that you rehydrate), such as Zilla's Reptile Munchies.
I bought these for my beardie for a quick snack while we were on the road and she LOVED them (she also loves dehydrated crickets).
I've been thinking about it recently, and what would be the cons of feeding these to her as a staple (assuming they have all the required foods and such)?
Just wondering!
As you mentioned a reptile make for the dried foods I'd imagine you need to add water to them before serving? If so there may be some small nutrition value lost depending on how they were dehydrated as different ways will cause different results. But as a whole they should be fine along with the insects.
Main con would be for you, the price for buying the food would be quite high when comparing to just making the salad on your own as spending a couple of (insert your currency ) you will be able to feed your beardie happily for a week or so.
I'm neither an expert in dried foods, well I don't know much about the ones used for reptiles but really just from a perspective of dehydrated foods in general.
Commercial diets are risky when it comes to truth in advertising. They can be incredibly misleading and there is no legal standard for "complete diet" for reptiles. Some of them have fillers and dyes in them.
Also, dry food (even when reconstituted) is linked with dehydration in tortoises - I'd assume dragons (who don't drink often) are at the same risk.
As a snack they would be fine but I wouldn't rely on them for adequate nutrition.