Clover is a healthy plant that grows almost anywhere. You don’t know if it’s a good idea to let your cavy eat the ones you have in your yard.
So, you wonder – can guinea pigs eat clover from the Yard?
Yes! Guinea pigs can eat clover from the yard. It’s rich in fiber, vitamin A, C, and many antioxidants that help keep guinea pigs in good condition.
If you’ve been told clover is toxic for a guinea pig, that’s not true! Serve it moderately and your cavy will be just fine.
Too much of it isn’t good for them, especially adult guinea pigs.
Now you know that your cavy can have clover from the yard, but you need to know the right parts to feed them.
Therefore you might ask – what parts of the clover can guinea pigs eat?
Table of Contents
What Parts of the Clover Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Clovers have different parts such as the leaves, stems, and flowers. However, you can’t just serve any of these parts if you’re not sure of them.
So, let’s look at the different parts of clover to know if they’re safe for guinea pigs to eat.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clover Stems?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat clover stems. This is a healthy part for guinea pigs to eat. Also, it’s rare to see a cavy who doesn’t like the stem.
They go for the stems first before any other part! Clover stems are quite easy for guinea pigs to chew on due to their crunchy nature.
It’s not hard, so younger guinea pigs won’t have issues eating them. Moreover, it’s better to serve clover with the stem to guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clover Flowers?
Absolutely! Guinea pigs can eat clover flowers. Clover flowers are very healthy for guinea pigs too.
Guinea pigs fall in love quickly with this part due to their taste and aroma. Also, you should make sure that the flowers are safe for them before they eat them.
Avoid clover flowers in the yard that have chemicals on them, like pesticides. In addition, don’t pick flowers near the road or busy places as these clovers get easily contaminated.
It’s also important to serve only small amounts to your cavy.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clover Leaves?
Of course! Guinea pigs can eat clover leaves. This is the main part of clover to feed to guinea pigs as treats.
You’ll mostly see three-leaved clovers all around. However, there are four-leaf clovers but they’re very rare to find!
They contain vitamin C, calcium, and protein for your guinea pigs’ well-being. However, only serve these leaves in bits.
You should never feed them cooked or dried clover leaves. They are not healthy for your guinea pigs.
Clover leaves are fine for guinea pigs only fresh and clean. If you have places in your yard you used pesticides on, don’t pick clover leaves from there if any.
Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Clover from the Yard?
Yes, baby guinea pigs can also feed on clover from the yard. The calcium in clover is very important for the well-being of baby guinea pigs.
It helps them in bone development and healthy growth. Moreover, being so important doesn’t mean you should feed baby guinea pigs too much of it.
You should know the babies need mostly their mother’s milk. So, you should just serve clover to them in bits.
How Much Clover Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
You should give your cavy not more than two clovers (two leaves with their stems). This is to keep things moderate.
Don’t let your cavy’s love for clover tempt you into giving them so much. Feeding them too much clover at a time is bad for their health.
In addition, you cannot feed guinea pigs clover every day. You can only serve them this veggie two times a week. Don’t exceed this so your guinea pigs will be safe.
You can also make things safer by spacing these two days. Guinea pigs shouldn’t have clover for two straight days. Give some gaps!
To understand this better, you can check out the table below…
DAILY SCHEDULE | |
Monday | Feed clover |
Tuesday | Skip |
Wednesday | Skip |
Thursday | Skip |
Friday | Feed clover |
Saturday | Skip |
Sunday | Skip |
What are the Health Benefits of Clover for Guinea pigs?
Clover is one of the favorite grasses that guinea pigs love to eat. They enjoy the great taste and it just makes them happy.
Moreover, clover has many health benefits that’ll make them live happily. They include:
Boosts Immunity
Clover contains vitamin C, A, and many antioxidants. They help keep your guinea pigs immune to different diseases that may come about in their body
These antioxidants help to fight the free radicals in your little pet’s body. The damages these free radicals can cause.
Naturally, guinea pigs lack vitamin C in their body and this makes them suffer from scurvy. Their body can’t produce this vitamin, so they need foods that are rich in it.
So, serving guinea pigs clover helps to prevent scurvy as they’re rich in vitamin C. Moreover, clover treats can help a lot in keeping your cavy healthy.
Improves Vision
Clover has vitamin A in it, which is a very good sight booster. Your cavies’ eyes are very important organs, so you need to care for them properly.
Serving them clover offers them the vitamin their eyes need to be in good shape. Older guinea pigs need it more as their sight gets pretty bad.
So, the vitamin A they’ll get from this veggie will help them see clearly. Of course, you don’t want your cavy to have issues recognizing you.
Helps in Digestion
Your guinea pig will benefit from the fiber in clover. It will help them to digest other foods which are normally difficult for them to do.
This is because guinea pigs generally have a sensitive digestive system. So, they need help from foods that are rich in fiber, like clover to help them in their digestion.
Feeding them clover treats will help them have good bowel movements. It will also prevent a lot of digestive problems that poor digestion could cause.
Supports Bone and Teeth Development
You’ll find lots of calcium in clover. Interestingly, this nutrient is an important one for your cavy’s bones and teeth. Also, magnesium and phosphorus in calcium help to strengthen bones.
Teeth health is very important for guinea pigs. As herbivores, they chew a lot to make sure the plant foods they eat digest with ease.
So, issues can come about if your cavy teeth become weak.
Lacking calcium can make guinea pigs’ bodies weak, especially their bones. This condition is very bad for sensitive pets like guinea pigs.
So, feeding them clover can help prevent this from happening.
Improves Cardiovascular Well-being
Clover has potassium in it which is important to keep your guinea pig’s heart in a healthy state. This nutrient helps to contract and relax heart muscles properly.
This in turn will promote good heart rate and good breathing for your little pet. Potassium also helps to lower high blood pressure in your guinea pig’s body that can cause many heart issues.
Also, clover is a low-fat and cholesterol-free veggie so it won’t contribute to blocking the blood vessels. This way, there will be a free flow of blood to and from the heart of your cavy.
Therefore, serving your cavies clover treats can keep them far from different heart-related issues.
What Type of Clover Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Now, there are different types of clover available in lawns and even in the yard.
Here are some common clovers you can see almost anywhere. Let’s look at each of them below to know if they are safe for your cavy to eat.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Green Clover?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat green clover. However, you shouldn’t feed them too much of it to avoid health issues.
This is because they are also rich in calcium which can do bad things to your little pets if they get it in excess. You shouldn’t even allow them to move freely in your yard full of green clovers to eat them.
It’s better to handpick, wash, and serve green clovers to your guinea pigs. You can also give guinea pigs the stems, sprouts, and flowers of green clover.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Purple Clover?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat purple clover but in a moderate amount. Purple clover is not different from red and pink clover. They are all the same!
However, only offer little amounts to your cavy. If you have them in your yard, never let your cavies graze freely on them.
They can eat too much of it that way and it wouldn’t be good for their health. Try collecting them yourself and serving them to your cavy.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pink Clover?
Yes! Guinea pigs can also eat pink clovers. They are commonly known as red clovers. In some parts of the world, they call it pink or purple clover.
They are all the same clover with a dark-pink flower. Guinea pigs can only have this clover in moderation as it is high in calcium.
Also, you can serve them flowers and sprouts too. They are healthy parts for your little parts to eat.
Can Guinea Pigs Have White Clover?
Of course! Guinea pigs can eat white clover. In fact, it is one of their favorite types of clover!
White clover is better for guinea pigs to eat just before the flowers appear. They are good sources of vitamin C, protein, calcium, and many other healthy nutrients.
However, the white clovers should be in a good and clean condition before your cavy eats them. Collect them yourself, especially from areas that have no chemicals, like pesticides.
Also, don’t give guinea pigs dry ones as it’s not good for them. Always, serve them fresh white clover!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Red Clover?
Yes! Guinea pigs can eat red clover. You’ll know them by their flowers, which are dark-pink in color. Also, their leaves are quite bigger than that of white clovers.
Red clover is one of their favorites and an excellent source of vitamin C, A, potassium, and many other healthy nutrients.
The calcium in this clover makes it good at preventing tooth problems for your guinea pigs. Also, red clover can lower fever and relieve pain.
In addition, red clover is particularly good for baby guinea pigs as it has more calcium than the other type of clovers.
However, excess calcium can be bad for adult guinea pigs. So, don’t give them so much red clover.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Crimson Clover?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat crimson clover. They are also called Italian clover and you can know them by their deep red or crimson flowers.
The color of their flower might make you think they are red clovers, but they’re not.
Crimson clovers are rich sources of vitamin C, K, fiber, and protein for guinea pigs. Your guinea pigs can have both flowers and sprouts of crimson clover.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Three Leaf Clovers?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat three-leaf clovers. This clover is a general name for all the types of clover you know. Clover is generally a three-leaved plant.
This is the kind of leaf all the clovers have – the red clovers, white clovers, etc.
They’re safe for guinea pigs to eat. Most importantly, you should serve only small amounts to guinea pigs so they don’t get too much calcium.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Four Leaf Clovers?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat four-leaf clovers. They aren’t basically a type of clover, but an uncommon kind of the three-leaved clovers we know.
So, instead of having three leaflets, it has four. This is why they’re also called lucky clovers as it’s rare to find.
However, if you by chance see a clover with a four-leaf in your yard, don’t worry it’s fine for your cavy to eat. Pick, wash, and offer the lucky treat to your cavy.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dutch Clover?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat Dutch clover. In fact, you should know that Dutch clover is just another name for white clover.
They are very common clovers you’ll see around your yard. Their flowers and sprouts are very safe for your cavy to eat.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Yellow Clovers?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat yellow clover. This is commonly known as yellow sweet clover.
They’re healthy for your cavy to eat. However, they aren’t common like other clovers, so you might rarely see them.
If you are looking for a tasty clover treat for your guinea pigs, yellow clovers are great options. Interestingly, your furry friends can have the stem, sprouts, and flowers of this clover too.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Wild Clovers?
Yes! Guinea pigs can eat wild clover. Wild clovers are also the same as red clovers. They are a great source of healthy nutrients like dietary fiber, which helps to empty your cavy’s bowel.
Also, they contain lots of vitamin C, calcium, and many other nutrients that are important for your little pet’s well-being.
Most importantly, don’t feed too much wild clover to guinea pigs. Even humans can get sick from eating too much wild clover.
Pick them yourself and serve a little, about two leaves with their stems. Also, wash very well to get rid of bugs, dirt, and anything that could harm your cavy on them.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Sweet Clover?
Absolutely! Guinea pigs can also eat sweet clovers. The common one is the yellow sweet clover. However, there’s also the white sweet clover and your cavy can eat it too.
Sweet clovers look so attractive and smell nice. No doubt, they taste great too. All of this makes many guinea pigs love them.
You should only serve them as treats to both adult and baby guinea pigs. This is to keep them safe from the harm excess compounds, like calcium, in clover could cause your cavy.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Hop Clovers?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat hop clover. This clover is also called hop trefoil and you can easily spot them by their yellow leaves.
If you have them growing in your yard, feel free to offer your guinea pigs some of them as treats. However, it should be in small amounts.
Just don’t let your cavy have too much of it so they don’t get sick. Moreover, aside from the leaves, their flowers are fine and healthy for your guinea pigs too.
Do Guinea Pigs Eat Grass Weed Clover?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat grass weed clover. All clovers – the white, red, yellow, etc – normally grow like weeds. They are safe for guinea pigs to eat.
You’ll find clover growing like weeds in your yards. These weeds are healthy as they’re rich in fiber, vitamin C, and many important nutrients that’ll improve the wellness of your pet.
It’s better you collect them yourself, wash them, and then serve them to your cavy. Furthermore, make sure chemicals don’t get on them.
What Are Other Alternatives to Clover for the Guinea Pig?
Of course, guinea pigs can’t eat clover all the time. You need to feed them other healthy veggies, especially to fill up the number of days they won’t be having clover.
However, here is a list I made of other veggies you can add to your little pets’ diet plan…
Parsley | Green beans | Tomato |
Basil | Celery | Collard greens |
Lettuce | Asparagus | Sweet Potato |
Romaine | Beet | Artichoke |
Brussel sprouts | Carrot | Snap pea |
Watercress | Bell pepper | Cilantro |
Arugula | Kale | Broccoli |
Cabbage | Zucchini | Spinach |
Pro Tip: Try to know the right sizes of any of these veggies you want to offer to your pet. Just like clover, they can only be safe eating most of these veggies in moderate amounts.
Also, during the week your cavy eats clover, choose low-calcium veggies to feed on the empty days.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clover Sprouts?
Yes, clover sprouts are healthy for guinea pigs to eat. We even enjoy them in our sandwiches and salads.
Clover sprouts are rich in fiber, vitamin C, B-9, iron, and calcium. So, feeding them clover sprouts will help keep them healthy and ease their digestion.
You should wash them well before letting your pets have them. Also, don’t give them too much of it. Guinea pigs only need little amounts.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clover Grass?
Yes, guinea pigs can feed on clover grass. Clovers normally grow like grasses and can spread throughout an entire lawn.
If you have some of them growing in your yard, you can offer some to your furry friends. Again, they should be organic and free from chemicals, like pesticides. This could make your pet sick.
About two leaves of clover grass with their stems is enough for a guinea pig. Wash them well to get rid of dirt, bugs, and other things that could harm your pet.
In addition, avoid clover grass clippings. Only select fresh clover grass for your little pet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clover Hay?
No, don’t feed clover hay to guinea pigs. Hay is a regular food for guinea pigs and clover hay is high in calcium, which guinea pigs don’t need in excess amounts.
Too much calcium can cause bladder stones for your little pets which is a very bad condition for pets as sensitive as guinea pigs.
So, whenever you’re serving your guinea pigs hay, never give them clover hay.
Stick to hay like timothy hay, orchard hay, and oaten hay, which are safe for them in excess amounts just the way they need it.
Final Thoughts
In summary, guinea pigs can eat clover from the yard. They’re rich in fiber, vitamin C, and many other healthy nutrients for your cavies’ wellbeing.
However, you should only give your guinea pigs moderate amounts of clover. This should be about 2 leaves and not more than twice a week.
There are different clovers to choose from for your cavy. You should also know that red clovers are the same as purple, pink, or even wild clovers.
Interestingly, every part of clover is safe for your cavy to eat.
However, don’t let your guinea pig eat from a lawn full of clover. They’ll eat too much of it, which can be bad for them.
If you find this interesting, don’t forget to share it with your guinea-pig-lover friends!