# Is Clover Toxic to Dogs? White, Red, and Crimson Types Is clover toxic to dogs? For the common white, red, and crimson clovers that grow in American lawns, the honest answer is no, the plants themselves are not considered toxic to dogs. The real dangers in a clover patch are the things mixed in or growing on it, such as mold, lawn chemicals, and slug bait. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - White clover, red clover, and crimson clover are not listed as toxic to dogs, and eating a few leaves or flowers is unlikely to cause poisoning. - Alsike clover is a different species and is listed as toxic to horses, with sunburn, skin ulcers, and liver failure reported in that species [1]. - Moldy sweet clover is the clover problem that genuinely poisons animals. As sweet clover spoils, plant coumarins convert to dicumarol, a potent anticoagulant that causes bleeding [2]. - A dog that gorges on clover can still get a stomach ache, gas, vomiting, or diarrhea from the plant fiber alone. - If your dog ate clover and also had access to slug bait, fertilizer, or moldy hay, treat it as an emergency and call for help right away. ## Is Clover Toxic to Dogs? What the Plant Lists Actually Say Clover belongs to the legume family, and several species grow as weeds or ground cover across the United States. The three you are most likely to see are white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum). None of these appear on standard veterinary toxic plant lists for dogs. ### Is white clover toxic to dogs? White clover is the low-growing plant with the small white flower heads that shows up in lawns, parks, and roadsides. It is not considered toxic to dogs. A dog that grazes on it while running in the yard is at very low risk from the plant itself. ### Is red clover toxic to dogs? Red clover has taller stems and pink to magenta flower heads. Like white clover, it is not listed as toxic to dogs. The bigger concern with red clover is the same as with any legume: eating a large amount can cause gas and loose stool. ### Is crimson clover toxic to dogs? Crimson clover is often planted as a cover crop and has deep red, cone-shaped flowers. It is not considered toxic to dogs either. If your dog nibbles it, the plant is not the likely source of a serious problem. ### Is micro clover toxic to dogs? Micro clover is a small variety of white clover sold for lawns. Because it is the same species as white clover, it carries the same low risk. It is not toxic to dogs. ### Is clover harmful to dogs in other ways? Yes, in a few specific situations. Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) is listed as toxic to horses, with "dew poisoning" causing sunburn and skin ulcers and "big liver disease" causing liver failure in that species [1]. Dogs are not horses, and this listing does not mean your dog will develop those problems, but it is a reminder that clover species are not all identical. The most serious clover-related poisoning in veterinary medicine involves moldy sweet clover, not fresh lawn clover. When sweet clover hay or silage spoils, coumarins in the plant are converted to toxic dicumarol, a potent vitamin K antagonist and anticoagulant [2]. This is mainly a herd-level problem in cattle and some horses, and it develops after chronic ingestion of moldy feed [2][3]. ## The Toxic Principle and What It Does in the Body Fresh white, red, and crimson clover do not contain a recognized dog poison. That is why you will not find them on toxic plant lists for pets. Moldy sweet clover is different. As the plant spoils, coumarins become dicumarol, which blocks vitamin K and prevents normal blood clotting [2]. Animals that eat enough of it can bleed spontaneously from ruptured blood vessels [3]. Signs may take a long time to appear. If the hay has a low level of toxin, an animal may eat it for months before disease shows up [3]. The amount of time between eating toxic sweet clover and the appearance of signs varies greatly [3]. Diagnosis is based on a history of eating sweet clover hay or silage over a long period, the signs, and a prolonged blood clotting time [3]. Direct confirmation can be hard because dicumarol testing is not widely available [2]. For a dog in a backyard, the realistic exposure is not dicumarol. It is stomach upset from eating a lot of plant material, or poisoning from something else in the same patch, such as slug bait, fertilizer, or a toxic plant growing nearby. If you are trying to sort out what your dog got into, our guide to [plants poisonous to dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-poisonous-to-dogs) covers the common culprits. ## Signs to Watch For and Their Timeline Signs from eating fresh clover are usually mild and digestive. You might see: - Drooling - Vomiting - Gas and a bloated belly - Diarrhea or soft stool - Refusing a meal - Restlessness or pacing These typically show up within a few hours of a big clover snack and often settle on their own. Signs from moldy sweet clover poisoning are completely different and much more serious. They come from faulty blood clotting and blood loss from ruptured vessels [3]. Watch for: - Nosebleeds - Blood in the stool or urine - Bruising under the skin - Pale gums - Weakness or collapse - Bleeding that will not stop from a small cut These signs can appear weeks to months after ongoing exposure, not minutes [3]. If you see unexplained bleeding, that is an emergency. Signs from slug bait or lawn chemicals depend on the product. Slug baits that contain metaldehyde can cause tremors, wobbling, and seizures within an hour or two. Fertilizer can cause vomiting and diarrhea. If you do not know what your dog ate, call for guidance instead of waiting. ## What to Do Right Now If your dog ate clover and seems fine, take a breath. Remove your dog from the patch, offer fresh water, and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or belly discomfort over the next few hours. If your dog ate clover and you are worried, or if there was any chance of slug bait, moldy hay, or lawn chemicals in the same area, call for help. Your options are: - Your own veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary hospital - ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 - Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making a dog vomit can cause harm if the substance is caustic, if the dog is already weak, or if the wrong technique is used. Let a professional decide. Have this information ready when you call: your dog's weight, the amount eaten, how long ago it happened, what else was in the area, and any signs you have seen. ## Veterinary Treatment Treatment depends entirely on what your dog actually ate. For simple clover grazing with mild stomach upset, care is usually supportive. Your veterinarian may recommend a bland diet, fluids, and a day of rest for the gut. Some dogs need anti-nausea medication. For suspected moldy sweet clover poisoning, treatment centers on stopping the exposure and supporting clotting. Care may include blood transfusions and vitamin K1, and response to removing the moldy feed and starting that treatment supports the diagnosis [2]. Your veterinarian will decide the vitamin K1 dose based on your dog's weight, clotting times, and overall health. For slug bait or chemical exposure, treatment is product specific. It may include decontamination, medications for tremors or seizures, intravenous fluids, and monitoring. Your veterinarian will calculate any medication dose from your dog's weight and condition. If you are also worried about other foods your dog may have sampled, our articles on [how much chocolate can be toxic to dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/how-much-chocolate-can-be-toxic-to-dogs) and the [list of 5 foods that are toxic to dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/list-5-foods-that-are-toxic-to-dogs) can help you sort out what matters. ## Outlook For fresh clover ingestion, the outlook is excellent. Most dogs have mild stomach upset at worst and recover within a day. For moldy sweet clover poisoning, the outlook depends on how much toxin was eaten and how quickly the exposure stops. Removing the moldy feed and treating with blood transfusions and vitamin K1 supports recovery [2]. Cases caught early do better. Cases with heavy bleeding can be life threatening. For slug bait or chemical poisoning, the outlook depends on the product, the amount, and how fast you got help. Fast action matters more than anything else. ## Prevention and Safer Alternatives You do not need to rip out your clover lawn. You do need to manage the real risks. - Keep dogs away from moldy hay, spoiled silage, and damp, rotting clover piles. This is the only certain way to prevent sweet clover poisoning from feed [3]. - Store any hay or silage so it cannot mold. Weathered, large round bales, especially the outer portions, usually hold the highest levels of toxin [2][3]. - Skip slug bait in yards where dogs play, or use pet-safe alternatives and read labels carefully. - Rinse and dry clover areas after fertilizer or lawn chemical application, and keep dogs off until the product label says it is safe. - Teach "leave it" and redirect grazing dogs to a toy or a walk instead. - If your dog loves to graze, offer safe chews and plenty of exercise so the lawn is less interesting. - Check your yard for toxic plants mixed into clover patches. Our guide to [plants poisonous to dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-poisonous-to-dogs) can help you identify them. If you want a low-maintenance ground cover and you have a dog, micro clover and white clover are reasonable choices as long as you control mold, chemicals, and bait. If you keep horses, ask your veterinarian about alsike clover and moldy sweet clover, since those are the species with documented risk in that species [1][3]. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers general information about clover and dogs. It cannot tell you what your individual dog ate or how that dog will respond. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your dog, ask questions, and run tests if needed. Contact a veterinarian the same day if your dog: - Vomited more than once or has ongoing diarrhea - Has a swollen, painful belly or is pacing and unable to settle - Ate a large amount of clover or an unknown amount - May have eaten slug bait, fertilizer, or another lawn product Go to an emergency clinic now if your dog: - Has a seizure, tremors, or is wobbling - Has pale gums, collapse, or extreme weakness - Has a nosebleed, blood in the stool or urine, or bruising without a known injury - Has bleeding from a small cut that will not stop - Is having trouble breathing Schedule a routine visit if your dog has mild, brief stomach upset that resolves, or if you want help dog-proofing your yard. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is clover toxic to puppies? Fresh white, red, and crimson clover are not considered toxic to puppies, but puppies are smaller and more curious, so they are more likely to eat a lot of plant material and get an upset stomach. Puppies also explore with their mouths, which raises the odds of eating slug bait, fertilizer, or a toxic plant in the same patch. If your puppy ate clover and seems off, call your veterinarian. ### Can my dog eat clover every day? A few leaves now and then are not a concern for most dogs. Daily grazing on a large amount can cause gas, bloating, and loose stool from the fiber alone. If your dog grazes constantly, mention it at your next routine visit so your veterinarian can check for other reasons, such as nausea or a bland diet that is not meeting your dog's needs. ### What if my dog ate clover that was sprayed with weed killer? That is a chemical exposure, not a clover exposure, and it needs a phone call right away. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Have the product name and label handy so the veterinarian can advise you accurately. ### Does clover cause bloat in dogs? Clover can contribute to gas and a full, uncomfortable belly when eaten in large amounts, but that is different from the life-threatening bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus) seen in deep-chested breeds. If your dog has a hard, distended abdomen, is retching without producing vomit, or is pacing and restless, go to an emergency clinic immediately. ### Is alsike clover dangerous to dogs? Alsike clover is listed as toxic to horses, where it has been linked to sunburn, skin ulcers, and liver failure [1]. There is no matching dog toxicity listing for alsike clover, so the risk to dogs is not well established. Keep dogs away from alsike clover anyway, and if your dog eats it and shows any signs of illness, call your veterinarian. ## Related Articles - [Plants Poisonous To Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-poisonous-to-dogs) - [How Much Chocolate Can Be Toxic To Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/how-much-chocolate-can-be-toxic-to-dogs) - [List 5 Foods That Are Toxic To Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/list-5-foods-that-are-toxic-to-dogs) - [Chocolate Toxicity Calculator Canine](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/chocolate-toxicity-calculator-canine) - [List Of Foods Toxic To Dogs Uk](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/list-of-foods-toxic-to-dogs-uk) - [Chocolate Toxicity Calculator Dogs Vets Now](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/chocolate-toxicity-calculator-dogs-vets-now) - [Is Clover Toxic to Dogs and Cats? What to Know](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/clover-toxic-to-dogs-cats) - [Is Clover Toxic to Cats? Red, White and Wild Clover](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/clover-toxic-cats-red-white-wild) - [Is Purple Prairie Clover Toxic to Cats? Clover Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/purple-prairie-clover-toxic-cats) ## References 1. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Alsike Clover](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/alsike-clover). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [Moldy Sweet Clover Poisoning in Animals - Toxicology](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/moldy-sweet-clover-poisoning/moldy-sweet-clover-poisoning-in-animals). Merck Veterinary Manual. 3. [Sweet Clover Poisoning - Special Pet Topics](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/poisoning/sweet-clover-poisoning). Merck Veterinary Manual. ## Further Reading - [ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) - [ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets) - [U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/potentially-dangerous-items-your-pet)