What to Do If Your Dog Sniffs a Foxtail
Foxtails are a hidden but significant threat to dogs, especially during the warmer months across North America. These spike-like seed heads from grasses such as brome, barley, and millet are more than just botanical nuisances — they are mechanical hazards that pose serious health risks to your furry friend.
Understanding Foxtails
Foxtails are dry, barbed awns from certain grasses that can easily embed in your dog's body. Once attached to fur, skin, or mucous membranes, the barbs permit only forward movement, causing the seed to burrow deeper into tissues. This can lead to severe infections, abscesses, and even internal organ damage.
Why Sniffing Matters
If a dog sniffs a foxtail, it may inhale the seed, allowing it to lodge deep into the nasal passages. Although it may not seem serious immediately, foxtails can:
- Cause sneezing, nasal discharge, or bleeding
- Lead to infection or migration into the lungs
- Require prompt medical intervention to prevent complications
Immediate Steps to Take
Here’s what you should do as soon as you suspect your dog has come into contact with a foxtail:
- Inspect the nose and surrounding fur: Look for visible seeds or awns, but do not probe into the nostrils.
- Watch for symptoms: Persistent sneezing, nasal discharge, pawing at the nose, or bleeding are red flags.
- Do not attempt to remove embedded foxtails yourself: Attempting removal can break the awn and worsen damage.
- Visit the veterinarian immediately: Internal foxtails require professional extraction, often under anesthesia.
Critical Signs That Warrant Immediate Veterinary Care
If your dog shows any of the following symptoms after sniffing a foxtail, seek urgent veterinary help:
- Continuous sneezing or nasal irritation
- Unusual discharge or nosebleeds
- Early signs of infection or swelling in the face
- Gagging, coughing, or breathing difficulties
Foxtail-Related Complications
Once inside the body, foxtails can travel to:
- The lungs, causing pneumonia or abscesses
- The brain via the nasal cavity in severe cases
- The throat and esophagus if inhaled and swallowed
These complications require surgery or extended treatments like antibiotics, and failure to act quickly can escalate into life-threatening conditions.
Preventative Measures
Preventing contact with foxtails is the best way to avoid danger:
- Avoid dry, overgrown grassy areas, especially during late spring and summer.
- Keep your yard trimmed and free of foxtails.
- Groom your dog regularly, keeping fur short around paws, ears, and face.
- Inspect after every outdoor walk, particularly between toes, inside ears, and around the nostrils.
- Consider dog boots or other protective gear for walks in risky areas.
When Home Removal Is Safe
You can safely remove a foxtail if it:
- Is visible and clearly not embedded
- Is attached to fur only, not skin or mucous membranes
Use sterile tweezers to gently pull the seed away. If there’s resistance or it’s near a sensitive area like the eye, ear, or nose, do not proceed. Seek veterinary care instead.
The Takeaway: Early Detection Saves Lives
Foxtails are not just itchy irritants — they are invasive, unpredictable, and dangerous. If your dog interacts with foxtails in any way, especially by sniffing them, assume the worst-case scenario and act accordingly. Early intervention can prevent suffering, extensive procedures, and costly treatments.
Stay vigilant, groom regularly, and consult your vet at the first sign of trouble.
