Foxtail grasses may not look very threatening at first glance, but their sharp tips can wreak serious havoc on a dog’s body. But what makes these plants so harmful to dogs, and what can owners do if a foxtail seed becomes embedded in their pup’s skin? Keep an eye on your surroundings and avoid these plants the next time you’re on a walk or hike.
Foxtails are in different regions across the U.S. Named for their resemblance to an actual fox’s bushy tail, they’re more common in the Western half of the country — but dogs can run into foxtails in almost every state.
Most foxtails grow in the spring before blooming, dropping seeds in the summer, and finally dying off in the fall. Dropped foxtail seeds harden as they dry out, and their sharp, hook-like bristles — also referred to as “awns” — can easily sink into any part of a dog’s body, from their skin and paws to more sensitive areas like their eyes, nose, and ears.
In some cases, foxtails can burrow through the skin to the chest or abdominal cavity, causing significant internal damage.
Dr. Lisa Cahn
Foxtails grow long like grasses, but they’re technically weeds. There are several varieties, but most are classified as giant, green, or yellow foxtails. Giant fox tails are the largest of the three, averaging between 2 and 4 feet with large, drooping seed heads. Green and yellow varieties don’t grow as tall (usually between 1 and 3 feet), and their seed heads stay upright.
Other weeds and grasses bear seeds similar to those of foxtails, even though they’re technically different species. These include wild, wall, and “false” varieties of barley (Hordeum murinum), ripgut grass (Bromus diandrus), and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)
Foxtails are everywhere throughout North America, but their prevalence varies depending on the region and climate. They aren’t common in Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia, but western states like California (Trusted Source) , they can exist all year long, appearing in April and diminishing by fall.
Foxtails and other grasses with barbed seeds commonly grow along roads, meadows, grassy fields, vacant lots, backyards, and other areas where you’d typically hike with your dog.
The tips of foxtail seeds are very sharp and can easily lodge into a dog’s paws, ears, nose, and skin. If your dog accidentally eats or inhales one, the sharp awns can even puncture their lungs or damage other internal organs. These cases can lead to painful infections and abscesses if not properly removed.
According to the Journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association (Trusted Source) (JAVMA), “The most common site of grass awn localization was the external ear canal, involving 51 percent of grass awn cases.” The JAVMA also notes an increased prevalence of grass awn problems in breeds like the springer spaniel, English cream golden retriever, Brittany spaniel, and Airedale terrier.
Depending on where the awns have hooked into your dog, foxtail injuries can result in the immediate onset of symptoms, including:
Without proper treatment, foxtail injuries can trigger long-term symptoms that form after a few days. Be on the lookout for signs including:
🚨 In extreme cases where a foxtail has pierced an internal organ, such as the lungs, heart, or brain, dogs will present symptoms specific to that organ.
Pet owners can remove easily accessible foxtails from the skin, paws, and fur using tweezers. Because remnants can stay in the body and lead to infection, it’s important to make sure you’ve removed the entire seed head if you plan on doing this yourself.
The deeper a foxtail embeds into a dog’s skin, the more likely it’ll require surgical removal by a medical professional. If you’re unsure whether you can remove a foxtail, play it safe and take your dog to the vet’s office for proper care.
The frequency and severity of foxtails really depend on location and season. As a veterinarian in California I saw foxtails all the time. A dog with a non-healing wound, abscess, or limp could have a foxtail embedded in their skin. A dog presenting with signs of an ear infection might have a foxtail in the ear canal. On the other hand, when I practiced in Seattle, WA I never saw a foxtail.
Dr. Lisa Cahn
Here are a few ways to prevent your dog from getting a pesky foxtail stuck to their fur.
👉 Take a look at our list of the best pet-friendly pesticides for your lawn and home.
Implementing these prevention strategies may require some extra work, but it’s well worth it to keep your dog healthy, happy, and pain-free. Dogs love the outdoors and should never be deprived of a good walk or hike — all it takes is a little extra awareness for both of you to have a great, safe time out.
In most cases, dogs get foxtail injuries after a barbed seed embeds itself onto their paws, ears, nose, or skin. This results in uncomfortable symptoms, including pain, inflammation, infection, limping, and licking or pawing at the affected area. In severe cases where a foxtail lodges itself inside a dog’s body, they’ll present symptoms related to the affected area or organ.
If the foxtail is on top of the skin or in the fur, you can use tweezers to remove it. But, if it’s embedded in the skin, have a veterinarian remove it.
Unfortunately, no. The tiny spines on foxtail spines are incredibly sharp. They act like tiny one-way hooks that burrow deeper into a dog’s soft tissues the more they move around. Removal is the only treatment option when dealing with foxtails.
If your dog eats a foxtail, it can be an emergency. The foxtail can perforate a dog’s intestine or cause a severe infection that can lead to an abscess. Watch for coughing or gagging following a hike or walk.
According to JAVMA, “There was an increased prevalence of grass awn problems in the springer spaniel, English cream golden retriever, Brittany spaniel, and Airedale terrier, but a decreased prevalence in German shepherd dogs, poodles, and dachshunds.” However, any breed that lives in a state where foxtails are present is at risk.
