Grass Seeds in Pets – A Tiny Problem That Can Become Serious

As the weather warms up in late spring and summer, we see an increase in grass seed problems in dog’s and occasionally cats. While they may seem harmless, grass seeds can cause painful infections and serious health complications if not treated quickly.

At Bohle Veterinary Surgery, grass seed cases are one of the most common seasonal issues we treat during the warmer months.

What Are Grass Seeds?

Grass seeds are small, sharp seed heads from dry grasses and weeds. Their pointed shape allows them to easily attach to your pet’s coat during walks or playtime in long grass.

Once attached, the seed can work its way through the skin or into sensitive areas such as:

  • Paws 
  • Ears
  • Eyes 
  • Nose
  • Mouth
  • Genital area

Grass seeds are particularly dangerous because they have a barbed structure, similar to a fishhook. This means they can move forward through the body but rarely move backwards.

If left untreated, grass seeds can travel deeper into tissues, carrying infection with them and causing painful abscesses and inflammation. They can also migrate through the body from the original site and can cause serious life threatening problems.

Common Signs of Grass Seeds in Pets

The symptoms will depend on where the grass seed has become lodged, but common signs include:

Grass Seed in the Paw 

  • Swollen or red Paw
  • Excessive licking or chewing
  • Limping
  • Pain when walking
  • Small weeping hole between the toes

Grass Seed in the Ear

  • Sudden head shaking 
  • Scratching at the ear
  • Painful or sensitive ear
  • Tilting the head
  • Swollen ear or discharge from the ear

Grass Seed in the Eye 

  • Squinting
  • Excessive tearing
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Weeping eye and/or discharge
  • Pawing at the face

Grass Seed in the Nose

  • Sudden sneezing fits
  • Bloody nasal discharge and external swelling
  • Pawing at the nose

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to have your pet examined as soon as possible.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Grass seeds rarely come out on their own. Instead, they often continue to migrate deeper into the body.

In many cases, pets require sedation or a general anaesthetic so the affected area can be thoroughly examined and explored. Grass seeds can be difficult to locate, especially once swelling and infection develops.

Treatment may involve:

  • Surgical exploration and removal
  • Flushing and cleaning the area
  • Antibiotics
  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Pain relief

In more severe cases, advanced imaging such as ultrasound or CT scans may be recommended if a grass seed is suspected to have travelled internally. The good news is that with early treatment, most pets recover very well and are back to normal within a couple of weeks.

How to Prevent Grass Seeds

Prevention is better than treatment during grass seed season.

Here are some simple ways to reduce the risk:

  • Keep grass and weeds cut short in any garden area 
  • Avoid long grass on walks
  • Regularly groom long-haired dogs, especially around feet and ears
  • Check your dog thoroughly after walks
  • Inspect between toes, under paws and around the eyes and ears

When to See Your Vet

If your pet is suddenly licking, limping, shaking their head, sneezing excessively or seems uncomfortable after being outdoors, a grass seed could be the cause.

Early treatment can prevent a small problem becoming a more serious one. If you are concerned your pet may have a grass seed, contact Bohle Veterinary Surgery to arrange an examination with one of our veterinarians.