In some parts of the United States, such as California and Florida, you are likely to start seeing small eyes gazing up at you.
These little bubbas are seeds from your lawn grass, and your dog may eat them or the seeds may even attach to your dog’s hair.
Now you may be thinking about whether these grass seeds are harmful to your dog. Not to worry, we will answer this question for you.
In this article, we will clarify for you everything related to dogs and grass seeds, including how harmful grass seeds are to your dog, and how to avoid grass seeds to keep your dog safe.
So, let’s get started!
To answer the important question, yes, in fact, grass seeds can be quite dangerous to your dog. Although dogs are technically “carnivores” and eat meat, they may also eat grass seeds.
However, the damage does not only occur if they are eaten. Your dog can be harmed from grass seeds attaching to their body as well.
Now, let’s discuss why this is dangerous.
Why Are Grass Seeds a Risk to Dogs?
Grass seeds cling to fur because they have a pointy head covered with arrow-shaped fibers that allows them to burrow into the dog’s body.
Their awns also make it difficult to get rid of. Once grass seeds are in the body, they are hard to get rid of!
Grass seeds can lodge almost anywhere on the dog: in the eyes, ears, and the footpads, and they can migrate inside the body.
These seeds can lead to infection with inflammation and significant swelling, or escalate into an abscess!
And, dirt from the seed can get into the dog’s body, complicating everything. To top things off, grass seeds can’t be broken down, they must be removed.
However, if grass seeds do reach the stomach, after ingestion, they can be digested.
However, they can still penetrate the digestive tract and penetrate into the surrounding tissues and organs, spreading to other areas and inciting more infection.
What Are the Symptoms of Grass Seed Penetration?
When a grass seed gets in your dog’s body, it can manifest differently based on the area affected.
The information below is a table of symptoms seen in dogs affected by grass seeds.
The Symptoms of Dogs Affected by Grass Seeds
| Affected Area | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Skin | – Chewing on the skin of the affected area – Redness and swelling – Visible grass seeds outside the skin |
| Eyes | – Tears of discharge – Redness and swelling – Rubbing of the eye |
| Ears | – Head tilted to one side – Itchy, irritated ears – Redness – Shaking the head constantly scratching with paws or against surfaces |
| Nose or Lungs | – Pawing at the nose – Sneezing – Nasal discharge – Breathing difficulties |
| Mouth or Throat | – Coughing – Retching – Difficulty eating and drinking – Refusing to eat – Swelling in the throat |
| Paws | – Excessive licking – Redness and swelling – Limping |
| Genitals | – Excessive licking – Redness and swelling – Difficulty or pain during urination – Blood in urine |
What Are the Treatments for a Grass Seed Penetration?
If you discover grass seed attached to your dog’s body, it is important to remove it as soon as possible.
Also, if your dog has any abnormal symptoms after eating grass seed, you should contact your veterinarian and make sure to withhold food from your pet.
Additionally, if your dog has any health problems (for example, diabetes, kidney disease, or heart disease), the grass seed could still pose a severe risk to your dogs’ digestion and a more heightened level of complications.
Once you are in the veterinary clinic:
- The vet will most likely perform a thorough physical examination of your pet to confirmation of the diagnosis prior to removal of the offending seed, unless it can be reached straight under an anesthetic.
- After that, they may utilize a pair of specialized tweezers, if it is close to the surface of the skin and accessible. If the vet thinks the grass seed is unfortunately a little deeper, is in a susceptible anatomic location, or pus or blood is draping from a would, then your dog may require a sleep state for this procedure.
- As stated above, if they believe there is a grass seed causing pain or infection, but I’m sorry, they cannot find it to remove, you may need a surgery at that point.
- In addition, the vet may do an X-ray to check if area has a perforation, but not necessarily the grass seed itself – as the grass seeds do not show up on an X-ray. However, if there is a perforation – then a surgery is wanted for that reason rather than the presence of the grass seed alone.
It’s critical to understand antibiotics play an important role in your dog’s treatment when it has an infection, but the grass seed needs to be removed from your dog.
How Can You Protect Your Dog From the Dangers of Grass Seeds?
You can protect your canines from a grass seed’s infection by trying to prevent the process from the beginning:
- By the way, ensure that service dogs, or pups that enjoy outside play in thick brush, have the commercially made vests that cover their chest and abdomen and a complete head covering.
- In addition, to keep dogs from running across long grass, walk them on a short leash.
- After walking or playing outside, it is always good to check your dog when you return home. A grooming brush can remove tangled seeds from a pup’s fur, and this is also a great time to check for foreign objects that may be in the dog’s muzzle, ears, and in between its toes.
Moreover, be sure to trim any hair growing between your dog’s toes.
Remember: If you believe your dog has signs that grass seed has penetrated, go to the vet.
Final Thoughts
Grass seeds might seem small and harmless, but if your dog has found it, you’re in trouble.
As a precaution, try to get rid of any seeds you may see in between your dog’s toes, around their armpits and around their eyes, especially after walking through any tall grass.
And of course, make sure to follow up with your veterinarian if you find a grass seed stuck, or if there is a lump that looks like there is one there.