Foliage is palatable to pronghorn in summer and fall, and is palatable year-round in wet years.
The nutritional value of Russian-thistle varies by season. In spring Russian-thistle provides fair nutrition for livestock and wildlife. The nutritional value of winter forage, after the plant has dried, is higher. It is a good source of vitamin A and phosphorus. Weanling mice showed favorable growth responses when fed a diet of Russian-thistle seed meal.