A walk through tall grass is the best part of many dogs’ day, and plenty of cats enjoy a supervised patrol of the yard. Outdoor time also collects passengers: grass awns, plant burrs, grit and mud. Most are harmless and brush straight out. A few, like the barbed seed heads often called foxtails, are shaped so they only move forward — through fur and, if left in place, toward skin. A three-minute check after outdoor time catches trouble while it is still easy to fix.
Why the Check Matters
Barbed awns grip fur and travel in one direction only. Once one pierces skin or slips into an ear canal or nostril, it does not fall out on its own, and the body cannot break it down. The risk peaks from late spring through autumn when grasses dry and go to seed, and it is highest for pets with long ears, dense coats or fur between the pads that gives awns a place to lodge. Dogs who push through rough trails collect more than pavement strollers, but any pet walking through seeding grass picks some up.
Where Seeds and Burrs Hide
- Between the toes and around the pads — the most common landing spot
- Inside and around the ear flaps, especially on drop-eared dogs
- Armpits, groin and the soft fur along the belly
- Around the eyes, muzzle and whiskers
- The tail base, and under the collar or harness where fur presses flat
- Deep inside double coats, close to the skin where a glance cannot reach
A Three-Minute Post-Walk Routine
- Run both hands over the whole body and feel for lumps, tangles or anything sharp.
- Look between every toe and spread the pads; pick out grit and loose seeds.
- Comb through the coat with a fine-tooth comb to dislodge awns before they settle.
- Check the ears and face briefly, and note any head shaking or pawing.
- Wipe the paws and glance at the pads for cracks, raw spots or trapped debris.
- Remove any awn still sitting in the outer fur with fingers or tweezers, pulling straight out.
- Finish with a reward so the routine stays a good thing.
During seed season, keep the fur between the pads trimmed short so awns have nowhere to hide, and favor mowed or paved routes over tall, dry grass. Protective boots help on trails you cannot avoid.
When to Stop and Call the Vet
Some warning signs point to an awn that has already gone in: sudden limping or persistent licking of one paw, head shaking or scratching at one ear, violent sneezing fits that start right after a walk, squinting or pawing at one eye, or a swelling with a small draining sore. Do not dig for an embedded seed — pushing at it can drive it deeper or leave fragments behind. Embedded awns need a veterinary visit, usually the same day, because earlier removal means a smaller procedure. Everything still in the outer coat, though, is yours to remove: a steady hand and a fine comb clear most passengers before they ever become a problem.
The bottom line: the walk is not finished when you get home. Three minutes of hands, comb and a paw-by-paw look keeps grass season fun — and keeps the sharpest things your pet picked up out where you can reach them.