Alfalfa
veg · base score 1 · also listed as lucerne, medicago sativa, alfalfa, alfalfa / lucerne, dried alfalfa, dried lucerne, lucerne (dried, suncured alfalfa, lucerne meal, lucerne extract, lucerne sprout
What is it?
Alfalfa is a vegetable ingredient. Graded good: a real, recognisable ingredient that adds nutritional value, so it lifts a product’s score.
At a glance
- Category
- veg
- Grade
- good
- Base score
- 1 (from −1 to 1; higher is better)
- Found in
- 455 products
- Also listed as
- lucerne, medicago sativa, alfalfa, alfalfa / lucerne, dried alfalfa, dried lucerne, lucerne (dried, suncured alfalfa, lucerne meal, lucerne extract, lucerne sprout
Common questions about alfalfa
Is Alfalfa good for dogs?
Yes, we grade it as a good ingredient: recognisable and nutritionally useful, so it lifts a product’s score. Bear in mind that no single ingredient decides quality; the whole recipe and its balance matter more.
How many UK dog foods contain alfalfa?
455 UK products list alfalfa as an ingredient in our database. The full list is shown below, sorted by rating.
What else is alfalfa called on labels?
Manufacturers list it under several names: lucerne, medicago sativa, alfalfa, alfalfa / lucerne, dried alfalfa, dried lucerne, lucerne (dried, suncured alfalfa, lucerne meal, lucerne extract, lucerne sprout. We match all of these to the same glossary entry when we read a label.
How does Open Dog Food grade alfalfa?
We grade it good, our highest grade, reserved for recognisable ingredients that add real nutritional value. Every ingredient is converted to its dry-matter share and scored from our glossary before a recipe gets its 1-100 rating; the full method is on our methodology page.
What is alfalfa in dog food?
Alfalfa, also called lucerne, is a legume plant ingredient that provides fibre, vitamins and minerals. On UK labels you may see it listed as alfalfa, lucerne, Medicago sativa or dried lucerne.
Is alfalfa good for dogs?
Alfalfa adds plant fibre and trace nutrients to a recipe, though it should form only a small part of a meat-based diet. Some dogs with sensitivities to legumes may need a different formula.
