Grass Seeds: A Hidden Danger for Dogs Explained

Imagine your dog bounding joyfully through a meadow, tail wagging, only to limp home hours later, licking their paw incessantly.

What seems like harmless fun could hide a painful threat: grass seeds. These tiny, barbed hitchhikers burrow into your dog’s skin, ears, or nose, causing infections or even life-threatening complications.

But don’t panic! With vigilance and quick action, you can protect your pet. From spotting early symptoms to life-saving vet care, here’s your guide to tackling this hidden danger head-on.

Key takeaways

• Grass seeds have sharp, barbed tips that burrow into your dog’s skin, ears, or paws.

• Common signs include licking, sneezing, or sudden lameness—act straight away.

• Check your dog’s fur, paws, and ears after walks in meadows or woodland during the summer months.

• Left untreated, seeds can travel around the body, requiring surgery.

• Prevent problems with regular grooming and avoiding long grass.

• Pet insurance can help cover unexpected vet costs—explore dog insurance options.
  

Grass seeds might look innocent, but they’re nature’s stealthy troublemakers.

Their sharp, arrow-like structure lets them pierce your dog’s skin or lodge in their ears, nose, or between toes.

Once embedded, they burrow deeper, causing inflammation, abscesses, or even migrating to organs like the lungs or spinal cord.

High-Risk Areas

• Paws: Seeds get trapped between toes or pads, leading to painful abscesses.

• Ears: Dogs shaking their heads? A seed might be lodged inside, risking ear canal damage.

• Eyes: Redness or discharge could signal a seed under the eyelid.

• Nose: Sudden sneezing or nasal bleeding often points to a seed trapped in nasal passages.
  

Grass seeds are masters of disguise, but your dog’s behaviour will often betray their presence. Watch for these signs:

• Licking or chewing one area obsessively (e.g., paws, groin, or armpits).

• Head shaking or tilting (common with ear infections caused by seeds).

• Sneezing, nasal discharge, or pawing at the face (indicating nasal or eye involvement).

• Sudden lameness, swelling, or heat in a specific limb.

• Visible seed in the fur or skin, often surrounded by redness.

Did You Know? Seeds can travel around the body. In one case, a seed migrated from a dog’s paw to its lung, requiring major surgery!

1. Avoid high-risk areas
Steer clear of meadows and woodland during the summer months when grass seeds are dry and sharp. Opt for trimmed parks or paved paths. If you must walk in grassy areas, stick to paths where seeds are less likely to brush against your dog.

2. Post-walk checks
After walks, brush your dog’s fur thoroughly, paying attention to feathery legs and underbellies. Inspect their paws (spread toes to check between pads), ears, and nose. For long-haired breeds like Spaniels, use a fine-toothed comb to catch hidden seeds.

3. Grooming matters
Keep fur around paws and ears trimmed short. For curly-coated breeds like Cockapoos, consider professional grooming during peak seed season. Check out our Cockapoo grooming guide for breed-specific tips.

4. Protective gear
Invest in dog boots for walks in long grass. Brands like Ruffwear offer lightweight, breathable options that shield paws without restricting movement.

5. Seasonal awareness
Grass seeds are most dangerous from late spring to early autumn. During these months, adjust walking routes and be extra vigilant.

• Stay calm: Panicking stresses your pet. Reassure them with gentle strokes and a treat.

• Inspect: If the seed is visible and shallow, use blunt tweezers to remove the grass seed. Avoid squeezing—this can break the seed, leaving fragments behind.

• Don’t probe: If it’s deep, don’t dig—you might push it further. Cover the area with a clean cloth to prevent licking.

• Call your vet: They may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection or schedule removal under sedation. For severe cases, a general anaesthetic might be needed.

If you think your dog may have grass seed stuck somewhere, there are a few things your vet may be able to do:

• Simple removal: Surface seeds extracted with tweezers during a routine vet visit.

• Surgery: For deeply embedded or migrating seeds. Vets make a small incision to retrieve the seed and flush the wound.

• Antibiotics: Prescribed to tackle infections. Always complete the course to prevent resistance.

• Pain relief: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) keep your dog comfortable during healing.

• Cost alert: Surgery can cost £300–£800. A comprehensive pet insurance plan helps manage surprises.

While any dog can be affected, these breeds are particularly vulnerable:

• Spaniels: Their long ears and feathery legs trap seeds easily.

• Terriers: Love for digging increases exposure.

• Working dogs: Labradors and Collies often roam in high-risk areas.

• Pro tip: For Spaniels, use a snood during walks to protect ears. Check our Cocker Spaniel health guide for breed-specific advice.
  

If grass seeds go undetected, they can cause:

• Abscesses: Painful pus-filled infections requiring drainage.

• Septicaemia: Bacteria entering the bloodstream.

• Organ damage: Seeds migrating to lungs, heart, or spinal cord.

1. Regular grooming

• Book a professional groomer every 6–8 weeks during summer.

• Focus on trimming paw fur.

• Cleaning ear hair (never pluck—this can cause inflammation).

• Brushing underbellies and legs.

2. Home first-aid kit

Keep these items handy:

• blunt tweezers.

• Antiseptic wipes (e.g. Hibiscrub).

• Dog-safe antiseptic cream (see our antiseptic cream guide).

3. Insurance peace of mind

Unexpected vet bills? Get a pet insurance quote to find one that covers emergencies like grass seed removal.

Grass seeds are a seasonal menace, but with vigilance, you can keep your dog safe. Regular checks, avoiding long grass, and swift vet care are your best defences. Remember, early action stops a tiny seed becoming a big problem.

How do I know if my dog has a grass seed?

Look for signs of grass seed injury: obsessive licking, sudden lameness, head shaking, or sneezing. Check high-risk areas of your dog’s body like paws, ears, and nose. If your dog is suffering discomfort, contact your vet straight away.

Can grass seeds really cause serious harm?

Yes! Grass seeds have very sharp tips that pierce their skin or enter eyes or nose, burrowing deeper over time. Left untreated, they can travel around the body, damaging organs or causing abscesses. Early removal is essential healthcare for your pet.

My dog loves running through long grass. How can I protect them?

Avoid areas with long grass during spring and summer when seeds are driest. After walks, brush their fur thoroughly and inspect paws, ears, and between toes. For adventurous pups, consider protective boots or trimmed fur.

What’s the treatment for a grass seed injury?

Your vet may be able to remove superficial seeds with tweezers. Deeply embedded seeds often require sedation or a general anaesthetic. Treatment for grass seed complications might include antibiotics, pain relief, or surgery. Costs vary, so pet insurance is wise.

Are certain breeds more at risk?

Dogs with long fur (Spaniels, Retrievers) or those spending a lot of time outdoors (working breeds) face higher risks associated with grass seeds. Regular grooming reduces the chances of seeds becoming trapped.

Can grass seeds get under the skin without me noticing?

Absolutely. Seeds can become stuck in areas of your dog’s body like armpits or groin, causing subtle symptoms like lethargy or mild swelling. If your dog becomes injured after a walk in meadows or woodland, ask your veterinary practice to examine your dog.

How do vets find hidden grass seeds?

Vets use tools like otoscopes for ears or imaging (X-rays/ultrasound) if a seed has caused internal damage. At Alder Veterinary Practice, we’ve even found seeds lodged in tonsils!

Can I remove a grass seed myself?

Only if it’s visible and shallow. Use clean tweezers, grip the seed firmly, and pull straight out. Don’t probe—you might push it deeper. For tricky cases, please contact your vet.

How can I stop seeds from getting around the ears?

Trim ear hair regularly and use a snood during walks. Check our ear cleaning guide to spot early signs of irritation.

Are grass seeds a problem for dogs year-round?

They’re most dangerous in spring and summer, but dried seeds in autumn can still cause a lot of pain. Stay vigilant year-round if your dog explores meadows and woodland.

For more guides on pet health, explore our articles on tick removal and heatstroke prevention.