Is Alsike Clover Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)

A grazing-exposure hazard for horses, not established as a dog or cat risk. The exact toxic mechanism is still debated among veterinary researchers — some evidence points to a fungal contaminant rather than the clover itself.

The toxic component in Alsike Clover is associated with photosensitization and, less commonly, liver damage in horses, likely from a mold that grows on the clover.

Alsike Clover's toxicity mechanism remains genuinely debated among veterinary researchers — some evidence suggests the clover itself is responsible, while other studies point to a fungal contaminant that grows on it, an unusual case of scientific uncertainty on an otherwise well-documented hazard list.

Scientific name

Trifolium hybridum

Family

Leguminosae

Also known as

Alsike Clover

Typically found

outdoor