Can Painted Turtles eat Alfalfa?
Chrysemys picta · Medicago sativa
Safe
Weekly
Tortoise Trust notes that aquatic plants and salad should be freely available for painted turtles, and alfalfa fits within this category as a leafy green. No contraindication exists in the sources, and the moderate protein content is acceptable for this omnivore species.
Feeding frequency
Weekly
The short answer
Tortoise Trust notes that aquatic plants and salad should be freely available for painted turtles, and alfalfa fits within this category as a leafy green. No contraindication exists in the sources, and the moderate protein content is acceptable for this omnivore species.
Feeding it safely
How much / how often
What's inside
Per 100 g of raw alfalfa
32mg
Calcium
70mg
Phosphorus
0.5:1
Ca:P ratio
INVERTEDLow
Oxalate
3.99g
Protein
1.9g
Fiber
Backed by sources
Reviewed by basking_research · June 2026
Basking is here to help you learn — it isn't veterinary advice. For anything specific to your animal, talk to a qualified exotic-animal vet.
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