Last month I put up a post explaining how dangerous foxtail grass can be to your dog. Here’s an excerpt from the post:
Foxtail grass growing on a sidewalk in Seattle. Its seeds have barbs that can latch onto your clothes. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.
“Foxtails are grasses with seed awns that are extremely dangerous to dogs. Foxtail awns are barbed, razor-sharp needles, designed to burrow into the ground with the seed.
The sharp needles on the seed heads of the foxtail plant can also work their way into any part of your dog, from the nose to between the toes and inside the ears, eyes, and mouth. They can even simply dig themselves directly into a patch of skin.
And because the seeds don’t break down inside a dog’s body, they can cause significant damage. At this time of year, foxtails in Washington have green, lush heads that resemble a finer version of wheat or barley. But the moment the plants start to dry in the summer the heads start to fall apart, and each barbed seed becomes a danger to any dog who goes near it.”
Our abnormally hot weather has dried out foxtail grass more quickly than usual, so if you brush up against it, the barbs on the seeds can easily latch onto your clothes so you can unknowingly bring them into your house where they can hook onto your dog and cause major internal damage.
I was reminded of this yesterday when I found this foxtail barb clinging to one of my socks:
Check your clothes carefully for these little suckers. These foxtail barbs can cause major internal damage to your dog. Photo from Seattle DogSpot.
So please, if you walk in or near foxtail grass, check your clothes when you get home to make sure you aren’t bringing them into your home where they can harm your dog.
And here’s a clearer picture that will give you a better idea of what to watch for:
Dried foxtail awns. Photo from pixshark.com.
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