{"id":220,"date":"2025-08-08T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T00:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegentlevetdvm.com\/blog\/?p=220"},"modified":"2025-09-14T20:33:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T00:33:16","slug":"foxtail-plants-summers-stealthy-danger-to-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegentlevetdvm.com\/blog\/foxtail-plants-summers-stealthy-danger-to-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Foxtail Plants \u2014 Summer’s Stealthy Danger to Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Dogs<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Foxtail seeds have spread from their stronghold in the southwest to other parts of the country. This type of grass is commonly viewed as a weed, and its invasive nature doesn\u2019t stop in the soil. From late spring and throughout the summer months, foxtails are a serious threat to dog health. If your dog loves to explore fields, meadows, parks, and hiking trails, it\u2019s a good idea to know as much as possible about this plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Getting Specific<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because of their shape, size, and overall design, foxtails have the potential to pierce and burrow through skin and soft tissue. A type of grass awn, foxtails plants have backward-pointing barbs that are attached to long stems. To ensure they spread as far as they can, foxtails latch onto fur, fabric, and anything that moves by them. This means that an otherwise simple, innocent walk through a field can turn disastrous in no time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remaining Watchful<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These seeds have a barbed and prickly awn that can burrow into the skin and potentially move throughout the body. An unnoticed foxtail may cause a skin infection or abscess that eventually leads to serious health problems<\/a> such as a perforated lung or organ damage. Surgical intervention<\/a> may be necessary to remove a foxtail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Look For<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Foxtails may be found between a dog\u2019s toes, under their arms, in the ears, up the nose, around the mouth, and even on the eyelids. While it\u2019s ideal to spot and remove them before they can cause any damage, many cases start when a dog suddenly develops a skin infection from an open wound. Foxtails that enter through the skin between the toes have the easiest time moving undetected. It\u2019s best to inspect a dog\u2019s feet after any time outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scary and True<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Foxtails can enter the lungs if a dog spends time sniffing the ground in foxtail-heavy areas. Inhaled foxtails can lead to constant sneezing, bloody discharge, and possible symptoms of pneumonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of infection (open wound, pus) at the site are typical early warnings, but always be on the lookout for these signs of foxtail plants in dogs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n