If you've lived in California for any length of time, you've seen foxtail grass. Those feathery, golden seed heads that line every trail, sidewalk crack, and vacant lot from May through October. They look harmless. They are anything but.
Foxtail seeds have microscopic barbs that allow them to travel in only one direction — forward, deeper into whatever they've attached to. In dogs, they burrow into ears, nose, eyes, paws, and even through skin into the body cavity. They don't dissolve. They don't work themselves out. They migrate. And the infections they cause can be life-threatening.
Every South Bay vet we work with treats dozens of foxtail cases each summer. Here's how to protect your dog.
Foxtails Are a Medical Emergency
A foxtail in the ear canal can rupture the eardrum. A sniffed foxtail can migrate into the lungs. Foxtails between toes burrow through skin and create abscesses. If you suspect a foxtail, see your vet immediately — don't wait to see if it resolves on its own.
Where Foxtails Strike
Ears: The most common site. A foxtail in the ear canal causes violent head shaking, pawing at the ear, and eventually infection.
Nose: A sniffed foxtail causes sudden, intense sneezing — often with blood. The dog may paw frantically at their nose.
Eyes: Foxtails lodge under the eyelid, causing redness, swelling, discharge, and pain. They can scratch the cornea or cause an abscess.
Paws: Seeds enter between toes, burrowing through the skin and creating draining abscesses. Obsessive licking of one paw is the earliest sign.
Skin and body: In rare but serious cases, foxtails penetrate the skin and migrate internally — into the chest, abdomen, or along the spine.
When and Where to Watch Out
Peak season: May through October in the South Bay. The grass greens up with winter rain, then dries and seeds in late spring. By June, foxtails are everywhere.
High-risk areas: Trail edges, unmowed lots, median strips, fields, creek banks, and the margins of dog parks. Even well-maintained parks can have foxtail patches at the edges.
Lower-risk areas: Paved paths, mowed lawns, beaches, and wet areas.
The 60-Second Post-Walk Foxtail Check
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1
Paws
Spread each toe and look between them. Feel for lumps or seeds lodged in the fur.
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2
Ears
Look inside the ear canal. Lift the ear flap and check the underside.
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3
Eyes
Check for redness, squinting, or discharge.
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4
Nose
If your dog is sneezing after a walk, suspect a foxtail.
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5
Belly and armpits
Run your hands along the belly and inside the legs where seeds collect in fur.
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6
Full coat
Brush or comb through the entire coat, focusing on feathered areas (chest, legs, tail).
Prevention Tips
Keep Fur Trimmed
Trim between toes and around ears during summer months. Long-haired breeds (Golden Retrievers, Spaniels, Setters) are at highest risk.
Avoid Tall, Dry Grass
Walk on pavement or mowed paths when possible. If you're hiking, stay on the center of the trail.
Mow Your Yard
Keep grass short throughout summer. Remove foxtail plants at the root if possible — they'll reseed if you just mow the tops.
Our Protocol
At Pawsides, foxtail checks are standard on every walk from May through October. We check paws, ears, and coat before returning a dog to their home, and we note anything unusual in our visit report. It's a small habit that prevents big problems — and one we recommend every dog owner build into their routine.
If your dog does pick up a foxtail, don't wait — see your vet or check our emergency vet guide for 24-hour clinics near Santa Clara and Sunnyvale.
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