The Danger of Foxtail Grass… Especially for Dogs

From Dunn Gardens

Keep your eye out for Foxtail Grass, a real risk for your pets. The barbed seed heads of the foxtail plant can work their way into any part of your dog or cat, from the nose to between the toes, and inside the ears, eyes, and mouth. They can even dig directly into a patch of skin. The danger of foxtails goes beyond simple irritation. Because these tough seeds don’t break down inside the body, an embedded foxtail can lead to serious infection and can even lead to death if left untreated. The plant is a grass-like weed resembling the tail of a fox. They are harmless in the winter months, spread very quickly after a wet spring, and are a real pest from April through autumn, when the seeds dry and snag on fur. These grasses thrive in a variety of environments and especially in open areas such as roadsides, parks, trails, and fields. Remove any you find. Pull them out or spray the plants with vinegar on a hot day.

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