With warmer weather and abundant rain, grass and grass seeds are everywhere—and they can cause significant harm to your dog if not promptly removed. Grass seeds are foreign bodies that can work their way into sensitive areas, leading to painful infections or long-term damage.
Grass seeds often lodge in the ears, eyes, paws, nose, skin, and even genitals.
Typical symptoms include:
Head shaking
Scratching at ears
Redness and inflammation
Swollen, red eyes with discharge or excess tears
Repeated sneezing
Breathing difficulties (snorting)
Licking specific areas
Grass seeds visible on the skin
Face rubbing
Difficulty urinating or blood in the urine
Grass seeds can even migrate within the body, causing problems far from their original entry point.
Prevention Tips
Avoid areas with long grass during the warmer months, and check your dog daily, focusing on ears, toes, mouth, and eyes. Use tweezers to remove any visible seeds, but for deeply embedded seeds or inflamed areas, consult your vet—sedation may be required, especially for sensitive regions.
*On a personal note, my dog Memphis recently had a scare with excessive sneezing after being in the hay shed. Fearing a grass seed in his nose, I took him to the vet, where thankfully no seeds were found. However, his nasal passage was inflamed due to allergies, and antihistamines cleared it up. When in doubt, consult your vet—it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
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