DogSense UK #15: Grass Seeds and Dogs in the UK — Warning Signs Owners Should Know
Updated: Aug 20
Grass seeds may look harmless, but some have sharp, arrow-shaped tips that can catch in a dog’s coat and work their way into the skin.
They are particularly common during summer and early autumn, when grasses are dry. Seeds can become lodged in paws, ears, eyes or the nose and should be dealt with quickly.
Why Are Grass Seeds a Problem?
Their pointed shape allows them to move forwards through fur or skin but makes it difficult for them to move back out.
Once embedded, a grass seed can cause pain, swelling, infection or an abscess. Occasionally, it may travel beneath the skin and become difficult to locate. Grass seeds often do not show clearly on ordinary X-rays.
Where Do They Get Stuck?
Paws
Grass seeds commonly lodge between the toes or enter through the skin around the feet.
Look for:
Persistent licking or chewing
Sudden limping
Redness or swelling between the toes
A small hole, discharge or painful lump
Brown or reddish saliva staining on the fur
Ears
A seed may enter the ear canal when a dog runs through long grass.
Possible signs include:
Sudden, repeated head shaking
Scratching one ear
Holding the head to one side
Pain when the ear or head is touched
Redness or discharge
Do not insert tweezers, cotton buds or ear-cleaning products. These could push the seed farther into the ear or cause damage.
Eyes
A grass seed can become trapped beneath an eyelid and scratch the eye’s surface.
Signs include:
Squinting or keeping one eye closed
Excessive tears
Redness
Pawing or rubbing at the eye
A cloudy or painful-looking eye
Eye problems require prompt veterinary attention because a grass seed can cause a corneal ulcer.
Nose
Dogs may inhale a seed while sniffing through dry grass.
Look for:
Sudden, repeated sneezing
Pawing at the nose
Nasal discomfort
Discharge from one nostril
Blood from the nose
Do not attempt to reach inside the nostril.
Skin and Coat
Seeds can also lodge around the armpits, chest, groin and other areas where the coat rubs against the skin.
A non-healing wound, recurring swelling, discharge, low energy or unexplained discomfort can sometimes be associated with an embedded or migrating grass seed.
Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?
Any dog can be affected, but the risk may be greater for dogs with:
Long or thick coats
Hairy feet
Long, feathered ears
An active habit of running through long grass
Spaniels and other dogs with feathered ears and feet are frequently affected, but short-coated breeds are not completely protected.
What Should You Do?
If a seed is loose on the outside of the coat, gently brush or pick it away.
If it appears embedded in the skin, ear, eye, nose or paw, contact your vet. Do not squeeze the swelling, probe the area or dig around with tweezers. A seed can break, move deeper or become harder to find.
The earlier it is removed, the lower the risk of inflammation, infection and more complicated treatment. Sedation or surgery may sometimes be required when a seed is deep or has travelled beneath the skin.
How to Reduce the Risk
After walks through long or dry grass:
Check between every toe and around the pads
Inspect inside the outer ear flap without probing the canal
Check around the eyes, nose, armpits, chest and groin
Brush the coat thoroughly
Remove loose seeds immediately
Keep long hair around the feet neatly maintained
Avoid dense areas of dry, seeding grass when possible
A quick check after every walk can prevent a loose seed from becoming an embedded one.
Final Advice
Sudden head shaking, repeated sneezing, squinting, paw licking or an unexplained painful swelling after a walk should not be ignored.
Grass seeds can be difficult to find once they enter the body. If you suspect one is lodged in your dog, contact your vet rather than attempting to remove it at home.
This article provides general information for UK dog owners and does not replace veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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