The Hidden Risk in Tall Grass That Most Dog Owners Ignore

Every spring and summer, veterinary clinics see a surge in cases caused by a tiny, barbed seed that most dog owners have never heard of: the foxtail grass awn. These deceptively innocent-looking plant parts can burrow into your dog’s skin, ears, nose, and paws — and once embedded, they only travel deeper.

If you spend any time outdoors with your dog, this is one hazard you need to understand.

What Are Foxtail Grass Awns?

Foxtail grass awns are the seed-dispersal structures found on several species of wild grasses, including Hordeum murinum (wall barley) and Setaria species. They’re designed by nature to burrow into soil — but they don’t discriminate between dirt and dog tissue.

Each awn has tiny barbs that point in one direction, meaning it can only move forward. Once it penetrates skin or enters a body cavity, it continues migrating deeper. Unlike a thorn or splinter, foxtails don’t break down inside the body. They can travel through tissue for weeks or months, sometimes causing life-threatening infections.

Where Do Foxtails Grow?

Foxtails are most common in the western United States, but they’ve been spreading eastward in recent years. You’ll find them in:

• Open fields and meadows — especially unmowed areas
• Trail edges and roadsides — where wild grasses grow freely
• Vacant lots and construction sites — disturbed soil encourages growth
• Your own backyard — if you have areas of unmaintained grass

They’re most dangerous from late spring through early fall, when the grass dries out and the awns become brittle and easily detached.

How Foxtails Affect Dogs

The most common entry points for foxtail awns are:

Paws

Dogs pick up foxtails between their toes while walking through grass. Signs include sudden limping, obsessive licking of one paw, and visible swelling or a small draining wound between the toes.

Ears

An awn that enters the ear canal causes immediate distress. Your dog may shake their head violently, paw at one ear, or tilt their head to one side. This is a veterinary emergency — the awn can puncture the eardrum if not removed promptly.

Nose

Sniffing through grass is all it takes. A sudden onset of violent sneezing, often with bloody discharge from one nostril, is a classic sign. Dogs may paw at their nose or rub their face on the ground.

Eyes

Foxtails can lodge behind the third eyelid or scratch the cornea. Look for sudden squinting, excessive tearing, redness, or pawing at the eye. Like ear cases, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Skin

Any area of the body can be affected, but the belly, armpits, and groin are especially vulnerable. You may notice a small puncture wound that doesn’t heal, or a draining abscess that keeps recurring.

Symptoms to Watch For

Not every foxtail entry is obvious. Sometimes the initial penetration goes unnoticed. Watch for these warning signs after outdoor adventures:

• Sudden, intense sneezing (especially if one-sided)
• Head shaking or tilting
• Limping or favoring one paw
• Swelling between the toes
• A lump or abscess that appears without obvious cause
• Lethargy, fever, or loss of appetite (suggesting a migrating awn)
• Persistent licking at one specific spot

Prevention Is the Best Treatment

Once a foxtail awn is embedded, it almost always requires veterinary intervention to remove — sometimes including sedation, imaging, or even surgery. Prevention is far easier:

1. Avoid areas with dry, tall grass during peak season
2. Keep your yard mowed and remove foxtail grasses before they go to seed
3. Check your dog thoroughly after every outdoor outing — run your hands through the coat, check between all toes, look inside ears, and examine the belly
4. Consider protective gear like dog boots for hikes through grassy areas
5. Keep long-haired dogs trimmed — especially around the feet and ears during summer months
6. Learn to identify foxtail grasses in your area so you can avoid them on walks

What to Do If You Suspect a Foxtail

If you can see the awn and it hasn’t penetrated the skin, you can carefully remove it with tweezers. But if there’s any sign of penetration — swelling, a wound, or if the awn is in the ear, eye, or nose — go to your veterinarian immediately.

Do not attempt to remove deeply embedded foxtails yourself. The barbs make it easy to break the awn, leaving a fragment behind that will continue to migrate and cause infection.

Your vet may use an otoscope (for ears), tweezers under sedation, or in complex cases, ultrasound or CT imaging to locate and remove migrating awns.

The Bottom Line

Foxtail grass awns are one of those hazards that seem minor until they aren’t. A few minutes of post-walk inspection can save your dog from serious pain, infection, and expensive veterinary bills. If you live in an area where foxtails grow, make checking your dog a non-negotiable part of your outdoor routine.