Nancy Kerns expresses the dangers of this prevalent grass to our canine friends. She writes, every single strand is lined with gnarly microscopic barbs that catch on anything they touch, from fur to collars, clothing to bare skin. When the barbs come in contact with anything, they propel the strand forward, pushing the sharp-tipped seed at the end forward. As the plants dry out in the late spring they get sharper and more defined. So, when dogs walk through the drying grass, they practically fly off the plant and attach themselves to the fur, where they relentlessly drive those seeds into the dog’s flesh.
Source: Whole Dog Journal, May 17, 2017.
Top four favorite places for foxtails to invade: between dog toes and in dog noses, ears, and eyes. But they don’t discriminate; they are just as happy to burrow into dog armpits, urethras, vaginas; anywhere there is a bend or soft, sensitive flesh.
INSIGHTS: While impassioned, this article is worthy of posting on websites, blogs, social media and in newsletters to help dog owners be aware of foxtail risks.