Clover
3 foods contain this ingredient
This is an alphabetical list, not a ranking. Add KL+ to rank foods for your pet in the Food Finder.
About Clover
Clover refers to Trifolium species (red or white clover) added as a dried herb or forage ingredient in some small-animal and herbal pet products.
Clover is most commonly used as a forage or dried leaf ingredient that contributes plant-based fiber and modest levels of protein, vitamins and minerals, and is more typical in small-animal or herbal formulations than as a primary component of commercial dog or cat diets. It can help provide digestive bulk and variety, but some species (notably red clover) contain phytoestrogens and other bioactive compounds, so large amounts are not recommended for pregnant animals or pets with hormone-sensitive conditions and source quality should be considered to avoid contaminants.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- Trifolium pratense (red clover) or Trifolium repens (white clover) leaves and blossoms
- Primary role
- minor fiber and botanical inclusion, more common in small-animal or herbal formulas
Why it's used
Clover shows up mainly as a dried leaf or forage component that adds plant fiber and a small amount of protein and micronutrients, and it is far more established as a staple in rabbit, guinea pig, and other small-herbivore diets than in commercial dog or cat food. Formulators may include it for texture, palatability, or its herbal reputation rather than as a significant nutritional building block.
Common concerns
- Isoflavone content in red clover Red clover is documented to contain isoflavones (including formononetin and biochanin A), compounds studied for phytoestrogenic activity in livestock reproduction research.
- Forage contamination risk Clover forage and hay can be colonized by the fungus Rhizoctonia leguminicola, which produces the mycotoxin slaframine; this is documented as a livestock feed-quality issue tied to warm, humid growing conditions and underscores why sourcing and storage quality matter for any clover-based ingredient.
- Sparse companion-animal data Most available research on clover's isoflavone and mycotoxin effects comes from ruminant and agricultural literature rather than dogs or cats specifically, so direct extrapolation has limits.
Also relevant
White clover generally carries a different, typically lower phytoestrogen profile than red clover, which is a distinction worth noting when comparing clover-derived ingredients.
Common Questions
What category is Clover?
Clover is categorized as a herb ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Clover part of an allergen group?
No allergen group is linked to Clover in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Clover?
3 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Clover, including Earth Animal, Forza10.
Foods with Clover
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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