As dog groomers, we see the hidden dangers that come with the warmer months and grass seeds are one of the biggest culprits this time of year!

I’ve seen a huge amount of dogs this year with Grass seeds and also have clients that have had hefty vet bills this year because of grass seeds.

What Are Grass Seeds?

Grass seeds (often from wild grasses like foxtail or barley) are small, sharp, and designed to burrow into soil unfortunately, they can just as easily burrow into your dog’s coat, paws, ears, eyes, or skin and very quickly.

Why Are They Dangerous?

Once embedded, grass seeds can:

Cause painful infections or abscesses

Travel under the skin, also get to vital organs in the body, this is when it requires veterinary removal if embedded to far into the skin. They can travel through the blood stream.

They Can also Lead to ear infections, limping, eye irritation, and more or allergic reactions.

I’ve seen first hand how these tiny seeds can cause such big problems and it often starts with a matted coat or a missed check after a walk or the fur is way too long and gets missed.

How Grooming Helps:

Regular professional grooming is one of the best ways to protect your dog: We check for hidden seeds in high-risk areas

We keep fur around paws, ears, and armpits trimmed to reduce risk and can be seen more visiblly

We spot signs of irritation early before they become serious issues

Top Tips for Owners:

Avoid long grassy areas on walks if possible

Make sure you Check your dog’s coat daily

My tip would be to use a hairdryer so you can part the hair easier and they may also blow out of the dogs body , and coat much easier. Also use a comb to back comb the hair so it can lift the coat up so you can see better under the skin coat when checking yourself.

Book regular grooming sessions especially during seed season!

Your dog’s comfort and safety come first. Let us help you keep them happy, healthy, and grass-seed free! And less vet bill