An awful lot of things can pose a risk to our pups, from human food they aren’t meant to eat to breakable items that dogs can hurt themselves on.
We love our dogs, but no matter how many of the best dog treats and toys we give them, they can sometimes get involved with things they shouldn’t. And one thing we often don’t think about that can hurt dogs are grass seeds.
Grass seeds look like small arrowheads, and can attach themselves to a dog’s fur and burrow into the skin, causing pain and discomfort. Paws and ears are most often affected, but they can go up a dog’s nose, too. Breeds with hairy ears and paws are more at risk.
Grass seed injuries are more common in dogs than you might think, according to The Kennel Club in the UK, and one dog – six-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Mollie – is fortunate to be alive after inhaling them this summer.
Mollie’s dog mom, Claire, was taking her pups on a walk through cornfields in the countryside when Millie and her brother, Hector, disappeared. While they returned two hours later, Mollie later developed a recurring cough. Claire and her husband sought advice from the vet and Mollie was given painkillers, but five days later the poor pup was rushed back to the vet after she almost collapsed.
A CT scan showed that there was a problem with one of her lungs, and during surgery the vet found that she’d inhaled three grass seeds that had punctured her lung. While the vet is confident that Mollie will make a full recovery, she spent four days in intensive care, and has been left with a 10-inch scar and reduced lung capacity.
Claire said: “Although the vet initially didn’t find anything wrong, my gut told me otherwise – Mollie’s cough was so distinctive so I’m very thankful that it rang alarm bells now. She’s lost a lot of weight and muscle so we’re now feeding her up and she’s on a month of short-lead walks – and while we will take extra precautions from now on, we hope Mollie can continue to live life with the utmost joy.”
The Kennel Club has issued a warning to dog parents, and shared the most common signs of grass seeds affecting dogs:
• Shaking their head
• Licking their paws ( Why do dogs lick their paws? Find out some other reasons here)
• Looking uncomfortable or in pain
• Lethargy
• Swelling between the toes and/or discharging wounds on the feet
Research from The Kennel Club and its insurance partner, Agria Pet Insurance, shows that dogs are more at risk of grass seed injuries in the summer and early autumn, with 80% of all claims in the last year being made between September and October 2023 and July and August 2024.
Robin Hargreaves, Senior Veterinary Advisor at Agria Pet Insurance advised: “Grass seeds might seem harmless but they can be very dangerous if left untreated, and cause a lot of pain and discomfort to your dog.
“It’s important to always check over your dog after walks in meadows, woodlands, or any green area and if you think they might be affected, contact your vet immediately.”
To minimize the risk of grass seed injuries at home, here are 13 ways to create a dog-friendly garden . Meanwhile, can dogs be allergic to grass? Here's what to look out for .
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