You may notice your dog self-selecting cleavers at this time of year, and many owners worry that they shouldn’t allow their dog to eat it. However, it’s perfectly safe for them and is full of wonderful benefits.
Your dog may be choosing to eat it because it feels it needs the nutrients the plant contains. It’s actually an amazing plant for your dog to consume due to its ability to boost the immune system. Your dog's body (and ours) slows down over the winter, and when spring arrives and energy changes, everything comes back to life. Your dog's body will benefit from a boost in nutrients to wake up the systems.
This is why it grows in springtime and is best picked at this time of year. It contains everything you may need for the season to support your body.
How Do I Identify Cleavers?
Cleavers have small, hairy-looking leaves that grow all along the stem. The stem has a square shape to it, with lots of tiny bristles. When it flowers, it will have small, white flowers with four petals. After flowering, it will go to seed; the seeds are again small, round, and will attach to your clothing or your dog's fur.
Always be careful when foraging to ensure you know what you're picking. Cleavers is a very safe plant to forage, as it doesn't really have any lookalikes and is easy to identify, but always forage with caution.
Where Can I Find Cleavers & When Can I Forage?
Cleavers can be spotted mostly all year round, but it's best picked in early spring. It begins growing in March, flowers from May to August, and starts going to seed from July to October. The younger the plant, the tastier, fresher, and more nutritious it will be. It’s better to harvest before it flowers, and definitely before it goes to seed. Make sure you harvest it with the intent of using it as soon as possible; the plant is mostly made of water so it wilts very quickly.
Cleavers can easily be found growing alongside nettles. It loves wasteland/overgrown areas and can be found in woodlands. It also grows in hedgerows and shady, moist areas.
It’s extremely easy to pull up from the ground, so there’s no need to use any cutting tools if you don’t have one at hand. It’s best to gently pull the plant from as close to the ground as possible to avoid it snapping easily at the stems.
How does it benefit my dog?
- Rich in Vitamin C: great for supporting the immune system
- Removing Toxins: cleavers helps clear out toxins from the lymph nodes, as well as any in the kidneys, urinary tract, and liver. Great for refreshing the system ahead of the new season!
- Fights Against Urine Infections: cleavers has a cooling and diuretic effect which provides support when fighting a urine infection
- Skin Irritations: with its cooling effect, it can help with irritations when applied topically. When given orally, it supports the liver. The skin and liver are massively connected to each other.
So if you find your dog is self-selecting this plant, why not pick some to take home and give to your dog? Keep an eye on our Instagram page (@rootedherbalpets) for a post sharing ways you can give this plant to your dog. Give us a follow so you don't miss out!