Grass seeds are small, pointed seeds on the top of long grass stems, most commonly found in parks and woodland during the summer months, but they can also be found on the side of the road in some areas. Grass seeds have very sharp ends, so if they become trapped in your dog’s fur, they can end up piercing the skin. They can also get stuck in your dog’s paws, ears, eyes or nose, which can be very painful.
Any dog can be affected by grass seeds, but dogs who play in longer grass are at higher risk, or dogs with long hair around their paws and ears, or curly coats as grass seeds are more likely to get stuck in and are harder to spot so often go unnoticed.
Always check your dog after going for a walk, paying particular attention to the paws and ears.
If your dog has a grass seed stuck in their paw, ear, nose, eyes or skin, you may notice your dog:
- licking their paw constantly, particularly in a specific area
- has a painful swelling between their toes or limping
- shaking their head, pawing at their ear or rubbing it against surfaces after a walk
- sudden and violent sneezing
- has redness, swelling or discharge in their eye, or suddenly holding it closed
If you spot a grass seed in your dog’s fur, remove it immediately if you can.
If you spot a seed that has started to burrow into your dog’s skin, or your dog is showing the signs listed above, contact your vet as soon as possible. Treatment will depend on the location of the grass seed. The sooner your dog is treated the better, as grass seeds can travel around your dog’s body once they get under their skin, so removing them becomes more invasive. Sometimes sedation is required as removal of a grass seed can be painful, depending on the location.
You can protect your dog from becoming injured by a grass seed by:
– checking your dog after each walk and removing any seeds you notice – this will reduce the risk of grass seeds piercing their skin
– keeping the hair around your dog’s ears and paws short
– avoiding areas where you can see grass seeds, especially areas with long grass.
