One minute they’re happily charging through the grass. The next, they’re licking a paw and won’t leave it alone.

Grass seeds might be tiny, but they can cause real problems for dogs during the warmer months. Their pointed shape means they can catch in the coat, pierce the skin or become lodged in places like the paws, ears, eyes and nose. In some cases, they can travel further into the body and become difficult to find.

The good news? A quick check after walks can help you spot them before they cause trouble.

Why can grass seeds cause problems?

Some grass seeds have sharp points and stiff bristles called awns, which help them catch onto passing animals.

For our dogs, that can mean becoming tangled in their coat, working towards the skin or getting into sensitive places like their ears, eyes and nose.

Once a seed penetrates the skin, it can cause pain, inflammation, infection or an abscess. In some cases, it can also migrate further through the tissue.

Which grasses should you look out for?

You don’t need to become a grass expert to keep your dog safe. The ones worth being particularly mindful of have dry, sharp or bristly seed heads that can easily catch in fur.

A few you may come across in the UK include:

Wall barley

Often found on verges, path edges and disturbed ground. It has distinctive bristly seed heads that become dry and brittle as they mature.

Brome grasses

Several species grow across the UK, often on verges, field margins and grassland. Their seed heads can have long, pointed awns.

Wild oat

Common around arable fields and disturbed ground, with distinctive seeds carrying long awns.

You might also see the word “foxtail” used online. Much of this advice comes from the US, where the name can refer to different grasses from those commonly found in Britain.

The easiest rule? Look out for dry, spiky or bristly seed heads, especially when walking through long grass.

You don’t need to identify the exact species. Knowing what to look for and checking your dog afterwards is far more useful.

Where should you check?

A little post-walk once-over goes a long way.

Between the toes

Spread their toes and check the fur, webbing and around the pads. Look for seeds, redness, swelling or persistent licking.

Around the ears

Check the ear flap and around the visible entrance to the ear canal, particularly if your dog has long or hairy ears.

Eyes and face

Look around the eyes and muzzle and make sure both eyes are comfortably open.

Armpits and body

Run your hands through their coat, particularly around the armpits, groin, belly and anywhere with longer fur.

Dogs with longer or feathered coats can be particularly prone to collecting grass seeds.

Signs to look out for

Sometimes the first clue is simply that something changes after a walk.

• Persistent licking or chewing of one paw
• Limping or suddenly favouring a leg
• Redness or swelling between the toes
• Sudden head shaking or scratching at one ear
• Repeated, sudden sneezing
• A red, watering or painful-looking eye
• Persistent licking at one area of skin
• A lump, swelling or wound that isn’t settling
• Seeming unusually quiet or unwell

These symptoms can have many different causes, so they don’t necessarily mean your dog has picked up a grass seed. But they’re worth paying attention to.

Can you remove one yourself?

If you spot a grass seed sitting loose in your dog’s coat, gently remove it and check the surrounding fur for any more.

If it appears to have entered the skin, is firmly stuck or you think one may have entered an ear, eye or nose, contact your vet rather than trying to dig it out yourself.

Grass seeds can become harder to locate once they’ve travelled beneath the skin, so it’s worth getting veterinary advice sooner rather than later.

Make the post-walk check a habit

It doesn’t need to become another big job.

After walks through long or seeding grass, spend a minute checking their paws, between their toes, around their ears and through their coat.

Regular brushing and keeping longer fur around the paws and ears well groomed can also make seeds easier to spot and remove while they’re still caught in the coat.

When should you call your vet?

Contact your vet if you think a grass seed has pierced your dog’s skin or become lodged somewhere.

Persistent paw licking or limping, swelling between the toes, repeated head shaking, sudden bouts of sneezing or signs of eye pain are all reasons to get veterinary advice. Eye problems in particular should be assessed promptly.

Treatment will depend on where the seed is and how accessible it is. Some can be removed relatively simply, while others may require sedation, imaging or surgery to locate and remove safely.

The Ancient Fields takeaway

Summer walks are one of the best bits of life with a dog, and grass seeds shouldn’t stop you enjoying them.

Enjoy the fields, know what to look for and give them a quick check when you get home.

A minute spent checking paws, ears and coats can help you spot a seed while it’s still sitting harmlessly in their fur.