Foxtails: Tiny but Deadly
They are typically called Foxtails (bushy spikelets or spikelet clusters that resemble a fox’s tail) or Grass Awns (bristle-like fibers). They are present from May through December and abundant after rainy, moist weather (in sidewalk cracks, edges of roads, alongside trails and in pastures).
While found throughout the USA; the types of grasses that produce foxtails are most common in the western United States (west of the Mississippi). Usually, the worst cases are found in California.
Foxtails are also known by other names, including:
- Wild Barley
- Cheat Grass
- Needlegrass
- Bromegrass
- Spear Grass
Foxtails are produced once certain types of grasses have gone to seed; and their hardened tip and arrow-shaped barbs pose a real threat to your dog (and cat). To make matters worse, the Whole Dog Journal warns that a single foxtail “is made up of dozens of hard, pointed seeds” all ready to become easily – and quickly – embedded in your dog.
Foxtails commonly become embedded in the following areas (although they are not limited to just these areas):
- Ears;
- Eyes;
- Mouth;
- Nose (foxtails can be easily inhaled);
- Paws and toes; and
- Genitals and groin area.
- Long ears and long and/or curly hair are also potential targets for foxtails.
- But foxtails can also just latch onto your dog’s fur or skin with their barbed seed heads and over time eventually work themselves into your dog’s body; even into vital organs (like the brain, lungs, eardrums and spine) causing irreversible damage and possible death.
Despite their tiny size, the real issue behind foxtails is that the canine body cannot degrade or break down these tough, hard seed heads. Once embedded into the body, they easily travel (burrow) throughout the body (and because of the microscopic barbs, they cannot work themselves back out of the body; they can only travel “forward”). So what may start out as a simple irritation, an embedded foxtail can lead to a deadly infection that could, if left untreated, lead to death.
Signs Your Dog May Have Embedded Foxtails
- Body/Skin: Persistent licking or chewing at a specific spot (including the genitals); swelling, abscesses and open sores.
- Ears/Ear Canals: Incessant scratching or pawing; tilting or shaking of the head.
- Eyes/Eyelids: Redness, discharge or tears, swelling, inflammation, squinting or pawing.
- Mouth/Gums/Tongue/Throat: Coughing, retching and/or gagging; difficulty eating and swallowing.
- Nose: Discharge; bloody nose; excessive, even violent, sneezing; repeated pawing.
- Paws: Swelling or limping.
- Unexplained fever, vomiting or difficulty breathing.
Preventing Issues from Foxtails
After being outside (especially in areas where foxtails are common; including open fields, areas of tall grasses and overgrown grassy areas), always check your dog’s:
- Armpits.
- Coat/fur.
- Genital/groin area.
- Face, ears, mouth and gums.
- Paws (especially between the toes).
Remove any foxtails you find with tweezers (if it can be easily removed). However, if one is already embedded or the area around the foxtail is red and/or swollen, see your veterinarian immediately for proper medical attention.
If you commonly find foxtails in a certain area of your dog’s body, consider trimming the hair in that area to avoid more foxtails becoming attached. To keep painful and potentially dangerous foxtails out of your dog’s ears, nose and eyes, an OutFox Field Guard is helpful (essentially a mesh bag over the dog’s head that doesn’t affect natural breathing, panting, sniffing and drinking). Protective vests (covering the chest and abdomen) can also help prevent foxtails from attaching to the dog’s body.
To learn more about foxtails:
- “Foxtail Grass and Your Dog” by Pets.WebMD.com.
- “Protecting Your Pet from Grass Seeds and Awns” by Drs. Foster & Smith.
- “Protecting Your Dog Against Foxtails” by Dr. Nancy Kay, TheBark.com.
- “Keep Stickers out of Sniffers” by Nancy Kerns, WholeDogJournal.com.
- OutFox Field Guard Website.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
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Thanks for your kind words and be sure to tell ALL your friends who have or love dogs! And be sure to sign up for our K9 newsletter each month!
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Thank you for your kind comments! Please share with all your friends with dogs!
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Thanks for sharing this informative post! The post is a must-read for all the pet dog owners who are unaware of ‘Foxtails’. It can cause irreversible damage and health issues for your beloved pet. Thanks for the awareness!
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Thank you for taking the time to message us Kayla! Please feel free to share this post and any others to help other dog owners! Enjoy your weekend!!
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I was surprised at how these tiny seeds can do such damage! I also never heard of the head cover .. probably a great idea for sporting/hunting dogs who spend so much time outdoors! Thanks for commenting and glad you enjoyed the article! 🙂
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We have those here in the Mile High City and they become horrible as soon as the heat rises. I just did a post on them after I read an article describing the grass ‘awns’ an expression I’d never heard before (only the foxtails). Thanks for sharing those terrific photos.
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