How to Protect Your Dog from Grass Awns
By Dr. Palmer Poutre
Most dog owners are on the lookout for the usual outdoor hazards — cars, porcupines, and wildlife encounters. What many don’t realize is that grass itself can be a serious threat to your pet.
What Is Cheat Grass, and Why Is It a Problem?
Cheat grass is an annual, invasive grass that returns year after year. It’s sometimes called foxtail, mean seed, or June grass — but regardless of the name, they all have one thing in common: awns. The awn is the bristle-like appendage that grows from the flower of many grasses, and it’s designed to stick to surfaces in order to disperse the plant’s seeds. Unfortunately, the sharp nature of these spikes means they can also penetrate skin or become embedded in nearly any part of the body.
Signs of a Problematic Grass Awn
- Nose: sneezing, pawing at the face, excessive rubbing, and eventually nasal discharge
- Ears: repeated head shaking
- Between the toes: licking, limping, or visible redness and swelling near the paw pads
How to Protect Your Dog from Cheat Grass
- Avoid dry, grassy fields whenever possible
- Keep the fur between the toes and around the paw pads trimmed short
- Trim the hair on the underside of your dog and around the ears
- For working dogs, consider a protective vest
- Inspect your dog thoroughly after every outing
- Dog boots can offer extra paw protection
If you suspect your dog has picked one up, call Baxter Creek Veterinary Clinic at (406) 587-5537. The sooner we can take a look, the easier the awn is to find and remove.