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The nutritional quality of dried seaweed Macrocystis pyrifera and a group of Sargassum species were compared with desert plants, cercals and animal meals commonly used as a feed for livestock in the Baja California peninsula during the dry season. The associated digestive enzymatic activity and the presence of digestive enzymatic inhibitors and lectins were evaluated and their general chemical analysis was also considered. The protein concentration of seaweeds was low, compared to other plants. The presence of lectins and enzyme inhibitors was negligible, compared to desert legumes. The use of seaweeds as a supplementary forage for herded cattle is apparently a good strategy, despite their low protein concentration. High carbohydrate, mineral and lipid concentrations can help meet maintenance requirements, especially when grasses are not available.