Navigating the Risks of Grass Seeds for Dogs
Ah, summertime! Most people’s – and dogs’ – favourite season. Almost all of us look forward to more outdoor play, time in the park or yard, and long walks in the great outdoors with our canine companions. Unfortunately, though, as well as the obvious problems in summer related to heat, there’s another, hidden risk amidst all the summer excitement: grass seeds. Who would have thought that such a tiny thing could potentially cause so much damage…?
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What Are Grass Seeds?
Grass seeds are the pointy, dart-shaped seeds that you might have seen on the tips of long grass stems, and they are released during the summer months.
A slight breeze can easily dislodge the seeds from the grass stem, as can you or your dog just by brushing against them as you walk past.
Their small size – generally 1cm or so – means they can easily hitch a ride on your dog’s fur without you even noticing. They’re found predominantly in wooded areas with long grass, and in fields and meadows.
Why Are Grass Seeds a Problem for Dogs?
Grass seeds have a sharp, hook-like structure, and unbelievably, that unassuming little hook can embed itself into your dog’s skin. It can also end up in your dog’s body by sneaking in through the mouth, ears and ear canal, nose and even the eyes.
If you’ve never had a problem with grass seeds getting stuck in your dog’s skin before, you might think there’s nothing to worry about. However, here’s a statistic to make you think again: ManyPets Pet Insurance had 1,369 insurance claims due to grass seed problems alone in 2021. Some of those cases needed surgery to treat the dogs.
Don’t Leave an Embedded Grass Seed To Fester
The longer a grass seed is stuck somewhere on – or in – your dog’s body, the more irritation it will cause your pup. Because grass seeds can easily embed themselves in your dog’s skin, it can lead to infections, abscesses, and all-around discomfort. Removing them is not always easy to do either. Once a seed hooks into the skin, your pup will lick, bite, and scratch the area, upping the chances of infection.
Signs That Grass Seeds Are Bothering Your Dog
Here are some potential signs that your dog has a grass seed stuck in their skin. Looking out for these signals is key to fixing the problem quickly:
Long-Term Grass Seed Consequences
Although it’s not common, worst-case scenarios of grass seeds affecting your dog can include them getting into the lungs and digestive tract. Infections, abscesses, and a range of complications can follow suit, from respiratory distress and gut damage to temporary lameness.
Prevention of Grass Seed Problems for Your Dog
By now you’re probably thinking you’ll never let your dog in long grass again. If your dog is anything like mine though, that’s simply not a practical solution. Dogs love to sniff and bounce through long grass. My girl loves nothing more than hunting for mice in the fields near our home. Heading out with your dog during the summer – prime pollination season – is like handing out an open invitation to grass seed hitchhikers. So how can you avoid your dog being hurt by grass seeds?
Grass Seed Prevention Strategies
I know that in my case, we can’t avoid grass seeds entirely – we live in the countryside so it’s simply not practical. However, there are things we can do to limit the chances of grass seeds becoming a problem. Next time you’re off to grassy zones, consider these strategies:
Brushing Your Dog Regularly
Keeping your dog’s coat well-trimmed isn’t just about style – it’s a strategic move for good health too. Shorter fur means less surface area for grass seeds to cling to. Plus, it makes spotting and removing them easier. After each outdoor adventure, a quick once-over is all it takes to make sure your dog’s fur remains seed-free.
My girl is a dobermann and her fur is very short – it never needs to be trimmed. Not only is it easy to see grass seeds on a short-haired dog like her, but it’s also much easier to keep her clean, and to keep her flea-free.
Clearly though, not all breeds have short hair, or have their coats trimmed. If you have a big beast of a dog, like a German Shepherd for instance, your grooming time is going to be way higher than mine!
Maintaining Your Yard
Personally, I love my garden to have natural, wild areas in it – it’s better for the wildlife and it looks pretty. I try to encourage wild flowers and plants rather than grass, but removing all the grass is an enormous undertaking. Consequently, there are still some grass seeds in the yard.
Obviously, if your garden is regularly maintained, with short grass and few weeds, it will drastically reduce the grass seed population. That will reduce the risk of your dog ending up with grass seeds stuck in her, just because she went out for a pee.
If you’re concerned about other potentially dog-dangerous plants in the garden, check out this article.
Avoiding Grass Seed Areas
If you live in a town or city, where public park areas are always maintained, you’re unlikely to come across the grass seed problem. The biggest challenge is in the great outdoors.
If you can steer clear of long grassy areas during the peak pollination season, you’re curbing the chance of seeds hitching a ride. Are there alternative walks you can take in the summer months, for instance, to avoid the risk of grass seeds? Or perhaps walks in woodland where there isn’t much long grass?
Conclusion
Grass seeds don’t have to be a problem, especially if you can avoid areas of long grass. By regularly brushing your dog after being outside, you’ll help keep her coat free of grass seeds embedding into her skin. Watch out for tell-tale signs if a grass seed has managed to get in via her nose, mouth, ears or eyes. If in doubt, go straight to your vet. And enjoy the summer!
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