How do you make your own dry bug food?

[Ben0918]

I have read you can add cat food, dog food, oatmeal, wheat bran, fish food... What else could you add?

 

[drcrossfire]

I have read you can add cat food, dog food, oatmeal, wheat bran, fish food... What else could you add?

umm... not sure where you read that... but you should ignore it~!

Try starting with alfalfa; work your way from there. Spirulina, Bee Pollen, Brewers Yeast, Hybiscus Flower, dried fruits (papaya, cranberries, blueberries) are also good additions.

Dog food/cat food/fish food should all be avoided when making your dry blend.

 

[AngieL]

Read this blog by Sandrachameleon https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/575-january-2012-dry-gutload-recipe.html

This is an excellent recipe. We made some and the bugs love it. It'll pass lots of vitamins onto your chameleon

 

[sandrachameleon]

Its okay to feed some quality dog food from time to time, occassionally, as long as its not in the few days prior to feeding off to the chameleon. And there is one green fish food based on alge thats better than most. But generally speaking dog, fish and cat foods are not good gutload choices.

Dog food and cat food contain preservatives, fat, high amounts of protein, preformed Vitamin A and vitamin D - all things you want to control. often also usless stuff like corn.
Oatmeal and wheat are high in phosphorous and not particularily high in useful needed nutrients - better grains would be crushed whole barley, stabalized rice bran.
I agree, alfalfa is a good base. Spirulina, etc also good.
Your dry gutload should aim to round out the nutrients you are not easily providing via the vegetables and fruits used.
You may find the info in this link useful: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html

 

[Lathelia]

Its okay to feed some quality dog food from time to time, occassionally, as long as its not in the few days prior to feeding off to the chameleon. And there is one green fish food based on alge thats better than most. But generally speaking dog, fish and cat foods are not good gutload choices.

Dog food and cat food contain preservatives, fat, high amounts of protein, preformed Vitamin A and vitamin D - all things you want to control. often also usless stuff like corn.
Oatmeal and wheat are high in phosphorous and not particularily high in useful needed nutrients - better grains would be crushed whole barley, stabalized rice bran.
I agree, alfalfa is a good base. Spirulina, etc also good.
Your dry gutload should aim to round out the nutrients you are not easily providing via the vegetables and fruits used.
You may find the info in this link useful: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html

Hm.. I didn't know you could actually add cat/dog/fish food.. Now I'm thinking if I could add just a little bit of my cat's food which is 100% bio?

 

[Ben0918]

ok i'll stay away from that stuff thanks i use oatmeal a lot but small amounts like i'll sprinkle some on the top but my roaches get a very wide variety for my jackson's and other reptiles

 

[sandrachameleon]

Hm.. I didn't know you could actually add cat/dog/fish food.. Now I'm thinking if I could add just a little bit of my cat's food which is 100% bio?

but why would you? If you have a good gutload now, why add something that's not recommended?

 

[Lathelia]

but why would you? If you have a good gutload now, why add something that's not recommended?

Ha, that's a good question. Doesn't it lower cannibalism?

 

[sandrachameleon]

Ha, that's a good question. Doesn't it lower cannibalism?

There ought not be any canibalism, if they are fed properly. If you are thinking there is a need for protein, the Alfalfa is a good source, as is the spirulina.