Foxtails in Dogs: What to Check After a Walk

Tall, golden grass swaying in the breeze makes a pretty backdrop for a walk. But if you've got a dog, some of that grass deserves a second look. Foxtails are one of the sneakiest outdoor hazards for dogs, and a quick check after each walk goes a long way.

What Are Foxtails?

Foxtail” isn't one plant. It's a nickname used for the spiked seed heads of several grasses, including some barley, brome, and millet-type grasses. These seed heads have stiff, pointed awns (the bristly fibers) and tiny backward-facing barbs that help them catch on fur and work their way into tissue

They're soft and green early in the season, then turn golden and rigid as they dry out. Dry foxtails are the most dangerous. They grow across most of the U.S., especially in drier regions like the West.

Why Are They Dangerous?

Foxtail seeds are shaped to move forward much more easily than backward. That's great for planting themselves in soil, but not for your dog. Once a seed catches in fur or skin, it tends to work its way deeper instead of falling out. Awns can also carry bacteria into the tissue, contributing to infections and abscesses.

Foxtails aren't poisonous. The trouble is where they end up:

• Paws: Seeds lodge between the toes, causing swollen, painful bumps.
• Eyes: Squinting, heavy discharge, and rubbing at the face.
• Ears: Head shaking and obvious discomfort.
• Nose: Sudden or ongoing sneezing and nasal discharge.
• Lungs/chest: An inhaled awn can sometimes migrate deeper, causing pneumonia, abscesses, or other serious chest infections.

How to Check Your Dog After Walks

Make this a habit whenever you've been through tall or dry grass. It only takes about two minutes and goes along way towards avoiding discomfort for your dog and a visit to the vet. Long-haired and feathery-coated breeds need a closer look.

1. Paws first. Spread the toes and look and feel between them and around the pads.
2. Ears. Check the outer ear and the flaps. Don't poke inside the canal.
3. Eyes, face, and mouth. Look for squinting, redness, or discharge, and check around the muzzle, lips, and mouth.
4. Armpits and groin. Seeds love to hide in these warm, furry folds.
5. Coat. Run your hands along the chest, belly, legs, and tail, feeling for anything stuck in the fur.
6. Brush out any loose seeds before they have a chance to burrow.

If You Find a Foxtail

If a foxtail is loose in the coat or clearly resting on the surface and hasn't become embedded, remove it right away with your fingers or tweezers. Don't dig into the skin trying to retrieve one.

Call your vet if the seed is deep in the skin or you can't reach it safely, or if it's in the eye, ear, or nose. If your dog has trouble breathing after possible foxtail exposure, seek veterinary care right away.

Also call if you notice:

• Swelling or a bump between the toes
• Constant sneezing or nasal discharge
• Squinting or heavy eye discharge
• Head shaking or ear scratching
  

Tell the vet your dog was around foxtails so they know to look for an embedded awn. Treatment is removal, and sometimes antibiotics if an infection has set in.

How to Prevent Foxtail Trouble

• Skip fields with lots of tall, dry grass, especially late in the season.
• Try protective dog booties and a protective mesh hood designed to keep grass awns away from the face and ears if you can't avoid grassy areas.
  
• Keep your yard mowed and weeds under control.
• Do your post-walk check every time.