Foxtail Season

This harmless-looking plant can do real damage to your dog or puppy

Foxtails are a type of grass that emerges in late spring or early summer here in Vancouver, BC and can be a real threat to dogs and puppies. The thread-thin strands at the top of the plant that gives the plant its name are seeds, or awns, and are barbed, so when your dog or puppy steps on one or brushes past them, it can stick to your dogs paws or coat or can enter ears, nose or mouth when they’re running and playing.

Once the foxtail awn attaches to any part of your dog, it begins to burrow inward with your dog’s movements and cannot be removed easily. For this reason, it’s important to watch out for and keep your dogs away from this plant.

Embedded foxtails are very uncomfortable and yet difficult to see. You may see a dog sneezing repeatedly if it’s in the nose, coughing if it’s in their mouth or airway, or pawing at their ears. Foxtail awns can even work their way directly into and through a dog’s skin.

If you do find a foxtail on your dog, it’s highly important to avoid attempting to remove the awn yourself and take your dog to your veterinarian as soon as possible.