Foxtail Season in Southern California: How to Check Your Dog After Every Walk

In spring the hills around the Temecula Valley and the West San Fernando Valley turn green. A few weeks later, that same grass dries out and turns gold. That is when foxtails show up along trails, empty lots, sidewalks, and even the edges of your own yard.

Foxtails look harmless. But for dogs they can be a real problem. The good news is that a short check after each walk catches most of them before they cause trouble.

What is a foxtail?

A foxtail is the seed head of certain wild grasses. When it is green, it is soft. When it dries, it breaks into small pointed pieces, each with tiny barbs that face backward.

Those barbs are made to move in one direction only: forward. That is how the seed plants itself in the ground. On a dog, the same design lets a foxtail work its way deeper into fur and skin instead of falling out.

When is foxtail season here?

In Southern California, foxtails usually start drying out in late spring and stay around through summer and into fall. Hot, dry weather and Santa Ana winds can spread the dry seed heads onto paths, parks, and lawns. After a dry winter, they can appear even earlier.

If the grass along your walk has turned from green to tan, assume foxtails are there.

Where foxtails like to hide

Foxtails catch on anything fluffy or low to the ground. These are the places to check first:

• Between the toes and between the paw pads
• Inside and around the ears, especially floppy ears
• Around the nose and mouth, from sniffing in tall grass
• In the armpits and the groin, where legs meet the body
• Around the eyes and in the eyelids
• Under the tail and along the belly

A two-minute check after every walk

You do not need special tools. Good light and your hands are enough. Try to make it part of your routine, the same way you hang up the leash.

• Start at the feet. Spread the toes gently and look between each one. Run a finger between the pads.
• Lift each ear and look inside. Feel along the outside flap for anything sharp or stuck.
• Look at the face. Check the nose, the lips, and the corners of the eyes.
• Run your hands slowly over the whole body, against the direction of the fur. Feel for anything pokey.
• Check the armpits, the groin, and under the tail.
• Brush long or fluffy coats with a slicker brush to pull out anything caught on the surface.

If you find a foxtail sitting on top of the fur, you can usually lift it out with your fingers. If it is already poking into skin, an ear, or a nose, leave it alone and call your veterinarian.

Why trimmed paw fur helps

Long fur between the toes acts like a net. Foxtails, burrs, and stickers get tangled in it and stay close to the skin. Keeping that fur short makes it much easier to see and remove anything that gets caught.

A short, tidy coat on the feet, belly, and around the ears also makes your after-walk check faster. For fluffy breeds, many owners ask for a shorter trim during the dry months for this reason.

Simple ways to lower the risk

• Walk on paved paths or short, watered grass when you can.
• Keep your dog out of tall, dry grass and weedy lots.
• Do not let your dog roll or dig in dry grass.
• Pull dried foxtail grass out of your own yard before it spreads seeds.
• Keep the fur on the feet and ears neatly trimmed through summer.

Signs a foxtail may have gone in

Sometimes a foxtail gets in before you can find it. Watch for these signs, especially in the hours after a walk:

• Sudden, strong sneezing, or pawing at the nose
• Shaking the head over and over, or tilting it to one side
• Licking or chewing one paw, or a small swollen bump between the toes
• Squinting, a watery eye, or rubbing one eye
• Limping without a clear reason

If you notice any of these, please check with your veterinarian right away. A foxtail that has gone into the nose, ear, eye, or skin needs a vet visit. Do not try to dig one out yourself.

When to call a groomer

A groomer is not a replacement for your vet. But regular grooming makes foxtail season easier. Trimmed paw pads, a neat sanitary area, and clean ears give foxtails fewer places to hide, and give you a clear view during your daily check.

If your dog's feet are getting shaggy, or you have trouble seeing between the toes, it is a good time to book a quick visit.

We can help

Our grooming van comes right to your driveway, so your dog can get tidy paws without a car ride. Call or text (310) 993-5993, or book online.