Owners of long-haired breeds will be the first to admit that, despite being absolutely beautiful, their dog's coat can sometimes be somewhat of a nuisance, especially in the spring and summer months!
Not only is it moulting season, but their fur can pick up all kinds of seeds and garden bits and pieces that are not only hard to remove, but can lead to other more serious issues. This is particularly the case for grass seeds.
If you’re not aware of the dangers of grass seeds, read on to learn about what they are, why exactly they are a danger, what to do if your dog is suffering and what you can do to prevent them from being affected.
What are grass seeds?
Grass seeds are small, pointy seeds at the top of long grass stems, and are typically found in fields and hedgerows, but have been known to grow on the side of the road in more suburban areas.
These seeds are barbed, often spiky, and shaped in such a way that they can cling onto the fur of animals (this is how they travel) and easily fit into small spaces, but prove much harder to get out. In the spring and summer, these seeds are abundant and can easily be picked up by your dog as they explore on walks.
Why are grass seeds dangerous to dogs?
Due to the barbed, shuttlecock shape of grass seeds, they can easily cling to your dog's coat or, in worst-case scenarios, can burrow into your dog’s skin, ears, nose, eyes and paws - getting deep into the tissue and causing discomfort or even an infection.
Grass seeds cause particular risks around your dog’s paws, as their pads are sensitive and can be easily injured. This also can be said for their ears, as seeds can get inside your pooch’s ear canal and cause an unseen blockage.
Symptoms of lodged grass seeds in dogs
Since grass seeds can easily hide anywhere on your dog, it can be hard to detect when one has become stuck or lodged. That said, it's important to recognise the common symptoms of a lodged grass seed so you can investigate further and get your pooch the right treatment. Here are things to look out for when it comes to grass seed, especially after going out for a walk:
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Limping / paw injuries. Your dog’s paw pads are most at risk as your pooch may have stood on grass seeds with the exposed skin. The seeds can get into their pads, or between their toes, like splinters, and cause them pain and discomfort. Check if your dog is limping or unable to put weight on their paw.
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Lumps in the skin. When a grass seed becomes deeply embedded, they may form a lump in the skin that can easily become infected. It’s really important you get these lumps checked and potential grass seeds removed by a vet.
Any dark brown lumps sticking out of the skin may be an embedded tick. To learn about ticks in dogs and how to treat them, check out our article all about it.
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Whining/pawing. If your dog keeps nuzzling or pawing at parts of their body, and/or whining in discomfort, it could indicate an injury from a grass seed. Pay attention to where they’re nuzzling and examine the area closely. If you can't see anything, and symptoms persist, be sure to get them checked over by a vet, and let them know whether you have been anywhere where grass seeds may be prevalent.
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Irritation in the ear. Grass seeds can easily become deeply embedded in the ear canal if they manage to enter your pooch’s ear during a walk.
If your dog is pawing at their head, shaking it from side to side, walking with their head tilted or rubbing their ears against things, try to look inside their ear with a flashlight. If you can't see anything but symptoms, continue and the area still looks inflamed, be sure to get them to a vet immediately.
How to remove grass seeds from your dog
If you manage to see a grass seed on your dog or catch it before it comes embedded, you should remove it. If it has become embedded or you are unable to see it anymore, be sure to contact your vet.
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Removing a grass seed from your dog's fur - Gently brush through your dog’s coat, focusing on areas where grass seeds often get stuck, like the chest, belly and behind the legs.
Carefully check over their face, too. If you can feel a seed, carefully pull it out with your fingers, ensuring you don’t push it deeper into the fur. Be sure to double check the area for inflammation. If you're unsure whether one has been embedded, be sure to consult your vet. Better to be safe than sorry!
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Removing a grass seed from your dog's paws - Check between your dog’s toes and pads, as grass seeds tend to get lodged in there. Use a damp cloth or a soft brush to gently remove any yet-to-be-lodged seeds you find them.
If they’re stuck in deeper, a pair of tweezers can help, but be careful not to hurt your dog. You can also rinse their paws with water to try to dislodge the seed. If you don't feel confident in removing the grass seed, or it is lodged deep within your dog's paw, then consult your vet immediately to avoid doing any further damage.
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Removing a grass seed from your dog's ear canal - If your dog has picked up a grass seed in their ear, check carefully for any redness or discomfort by gently pulling back the ear flap. If you can clearly see the seed, feel confident enough, and your pooch is calm, collected and not in any noticeable pain, you may be able to remove it with a pair of tweezers.
If the grass seed is deep within your dog's ear canal, your dog is in pain, or you're worried about causing further damage, it’s best to take them to the vet. Your dog's ear is a very sensitive part of their body, and can easily become irritated.
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Removing a grass seed burrowed into your dog's skin - If a grass seed has burrowed into your dog’s skin, it's best to call your vet. Even if you pull out the grass seed, your dog will be left with a wound that will need to be treated to avoid infection. Avoid trying to dig it out yourself as it may damage the area further and distress your dog.
When to call a vet
If your dog is showing aforementioned symptoms or signs of discomfort and you can’t seem to target the grass seed culprit (perhaps because it’s hidden, burrowed or deep in your dog’s ear), it's time to call the vet. Grass seeds can go undetected by owners, and won’t come out on their own, so avoid serious infections by getting a vet to help you.
How do vets treat grass seeds?
As grass seeds don’t show up on an x-ray, your pooch will need a proper examination with your vet’s eyesight and tools. They will do a hands-on inspection to locate the grass seed, usually focusing on paws, eyelids, ears, chest and armpits.
Sometimes, they might use an otoscope to look deep into the ears, or even try an ultrasound if they suspect a seed has migrated under the skin. If the seed is embedded and not removed easily, your dog might need anaesthesia or even minor surgery to remove it.
Can grass seeds kill dogs?
Grass seeds can be dangerous for dogs if they become lodged in their skin, ears, eyes or paws. If not removed, your pooch can get infections or even internal injuries if they travel into the body.
In rare cases, infections from grass seed can lead to life-threatening conditions, so check your dog regularly and remove any seeds or call a vet as soon as you suspect them.
How to prevent your dog from picking up grass seeds
We can't always have eyes on our dog, and due to how small grass seeds are, they can be missed. However, there are some things you can do to help prevent your dog from picking up grass seeds on a walk. That said, if walking in an area where grass seeds are prevalent, always check over your dog to make sure they haven't picked up any grass seeds.
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Keep their coat well groomed - especially if they have a long or curly coat and particularly in the spring and summer months. Fur easily picks up grass seeds by your dog simply brushing past or whilst exploring, so keeping your dog brushed and well groomed means seeds will be easier to see and remove from their coat.
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Check them thoroughly after a walk. Examine your dog after a walk and comb them through so they won’t have seeds getting into the skin.
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Deter them from walking through long grass. Running free across overgrown fields might be fun for a dog, but if their coat is particularly thick, it might be worth keeping their walks to neater spaces - mown lawns, paths, pavements etc. Use high reward treats and recall whilst out on walks to keep your dog near.
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Tame your garden. Remove or cut back plants and grass in your garden that frequently shed seeds, mow the lawn and use a leaf-blower and/or rake to keep spaces clear and hazard-free.
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Dog booties. If you’re worried about your dog treading on grass seeds or if they’ve had paw-pad injuries before, you could try dog booties. They’re made to protect your dog’s feet when wandering off the path in more woodsy terrain.
Breeds prone to picking up grass seeds
Any dogs with medium to long coats are more prone to picking up grass seeds, but really, they can cling to any dog.
Breeds with long coats are prone to picking up grass seeds in their coats, while active or excitable dogs may be more likely to run out into long grasses or hedgerows. These can include:
What other seeds can cause problems for dogs?
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Burdock bawns - The sticky, spiky seed balls found in overgrown areas. These aren’t dangerous but can irritate your dog.
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Goosegrass (cleavers) - Often found in damp, mossy areas, goosegrass have hook-like leaves that can cling to your pooch.
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Barley awns - A bit harder to find, but similar to grass seeds, these are long and barbed and can pierce your pooch’s skin.
- Other more obvious plants include stinging nettles, thistles, blackberry bushes and anything with sharp spikes and thorns.
FAQs
What if my dog has inhaled a grass seed?
This is very serious - so call your vet straight away. If you’ve noticed your dog shaking their head, coughing, sneezing or acting strangely, a grass seed might be stuck in their nasal passages and will need removing immediately.
Will grass seed come out on its own?
If your dog only has a few grass seeds stuck in their coat they might fall out on their own. But you should always check your dog over and remove them yourself, as seeds can travel around a dog’s body and cause harm. If a grass seed is stuck in the skin, it’s unlikely this will come out on its own. Be thorough in examining your pooch, and remove loose grass seeds when you find them. If you find they're lodged or your dog is experiencing too much discomfort, definitely call a vet.
What are the sticky green balls in my dog’s fur?
Those little green or brown balls stuck in your dog’s coat are likely burrs, or seed pods from plants such as goosegrass. They might look harmless, but they can irritate the skin and matt fur. Unlike grass seeds, they don’t typically burrow under the skin but it’s still a good idea to remove them for your pooch’s comfort.
How to tell if my dog has a grass seed?
Look for sudden changes in your pooch’s behaviour after a walk or outdoors time, such as limping, licking a paw, shaking their head, or even squinting. You might also spot a small, red bump or wound on their skin. Give your dog a once-over, checking between toes, in their ears, under armpits and around the eyes. If anything looks inflamed or painful, or your dog is acting out of sorts, it’s time for a vet check.
To keep your pooch happy and focused with something natural and healthy, Pooch & Mutt’s grain-free dog treats include delicious, functional flavours such as turkey, hemp and peanut butter, as well as powerful probiotics that promote a harmonious gut.
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