A grass seed in dogs can cause much more trouble than its small size suggests. The pointed seeds found on long grasses can catch in your dog’s coat before working their way into the skin or becoming lodged in areas such as the paws, ears or eyes.
If your dog suddenly starts limping after a walk, repeatedly licks one paw, shakes their head or develops a sore, swollen area, a grass seed could be responsible. Once a seed has pierced the skin, it can be difficult to find and may cause inflammation, infection or an abscess.
Checking your dog carefully after walks through long grass is therefore one of the simplest ways to catch the problem early.
What Should You Look For After A Walk Through Long Grass?
Grass seed problems often appear suddenly after a dog has been running through fields, verges or other areas of long grass.
The main signs depend on where the seed has become lodged. A grass seed in a paw may cause licking, swelling or limping, while a grass seed in an ear often causes sudden head shaking or scratching.
Common warning signs include:
- Limping or holding up one paw
- Persistent licking or chewing at a foot
- Redness or swelling between the toes
- Sudden head shaking
- Scratching or pawing at one ear
- Sneezing repeatedly
- A red, painful or watery eye
- Licking a particular patch of skin
- A sore or swelling that does not settle
Grass seeds commonly cause problems around the toes, ears and eyes, although they can also penetrate the skin elsewhere. Once underneath the skin, their shape can allow them to move deeper into the tissues.
Why Can Such A Small Grass Seed Cause A Problem?
The issue is not simply that a grass seed becomes caught in the coat.
Many grass seeds have a pointed shape that makes it easier for them to move in one direction. A seed caught between the toes, for example, may gradually pierce the skin as the dog walks and the surrounding fur moves.
Once beneath the skin, the seed becomes a foreign body. The dog’s tissues react to it, which can result in pain, inflammation, swelling and infection.
A seed that remains on the surface of the coat is usually straightforward to remove. Once it has entered the skin or another part of the body, however, finding and removing it can become considerably more difficult.
That is why a quick post-walk check can make a surprisingly big difference.
Could A Grass Seed Be Why Your Dog Is Limping After A Walk?
If you notice your dog limping after a walk, start by checking their feet.
Look carefully:
- Between each toe
- Around the paw pads
- Around the claws
- Through longer fur on the feet
- On the top and underside of the paw
A grass seed in the paw may initially cause little more than irritation. Your dog might repeatedly lick one foot or become reluctant to place their full weight on it.
Over time, you may notice redness or a painful swelling between the toes. PDSA lists grass seeds among the foreign objects that can become lodged in the foot and cause limping.
Not every limp after a walk is caused by a grass seed. Cuts, damaged claws, sprains and other injuries can produce similar symptoms, so avoid assuming that a seed is definitely responsible.
If your dog continues limping, appears painful or you cannot identify the cause, veterinary assessment is sensible.
What Does A Grass Seed In A Dog’s Paw Look Like?
Sometimes you will be able to see the seed sitting in the coat or between the toes.
Once it has started entering the skin, however, the seed itself may no longer be visible.
Instead, you might notice:
- Persistent paw licking
- A small hole or sore
- Red or inflamed skin
- Swelling between two toes
- Discharge from the affected area
- Sensitivity when the paw is touched
- Intermittent limping
This is an important distinction. Not seeing a grass seed does not necessarily mean there isn’t one present.
PDSA notes that seeds between the toes can work beneath the skin and cause an interdigital swelling, at which point locating them may become challenging.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Has A Grass Seed In Their Ear?
A grass seed in the ear often causes a much more sudden reaction.
A dog that seemed perfectly comfortable before a walk may begin vigorously shaking their head afterwards or repeatedly pawing at one ear.
Signs can include:
- Sudden or persistent head shaking
- Scratching one ear
- Rubbing the side of the head along the floor or furniture
- Holding the head differently
- Sensitivity around the affected ear
- Redness or irritation
Grass seeds are recognised causes of foreign bodies within a dog’s ear canal.
Because the ear canal is sensitive and the seed may sit deeper than you can see, avoid inserting tweezers, cotton buds or other objects into the ear in an attempt to retrieve it.
If you suspect a grass seed has entered your dog’s ear, contact your vet.
Can Grass Seeds Get Into A Dog’s Nose Or Eye?
Yes.
A grass seed around the nose may trigger repeated, sudden sneezing, particularly if symptoms begin immediately after exploring long vegetation.
A seed trapped around the eye or behind an eyelid can cause:
- Squinting
- Excessive blinking
- Redness
- Watery discharge
- Pawing at the face
- Keeping the affected eye partly or completely closed
Eye problems can become painful quickly, and it is not always possible to tell whether a seed has scratched the surface of the eye.
PDSA advises that dogs with seeds behind the eyelid may need the seed removed under local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthetic, with the eye checked for damage such as a corneal ulcer.
If your dog’s eye suddenly becomes painful after a walk, seek veterinary advice rather than attempting to remove anything lodged underneath the eyelid yourself.
Can You Remove A Grass Seed From Your Dog At Home?
It depends entirely on where the seed is.
If a grass seed is simply tangled in your dog’s outer coat and has not pierced the skin, it can usually be picked or brushed away.
The situation changes once it is embedded.
Do not attempt to dig out a seed that has entered the skin or try to retrieve one from deep inside the ear, eye or nose. Pulling at an embedded seed can cause pain, leave part of it behind or push it further into a sensitive area.
Blue Cross advises contacting a vet if a seed has begun burrowing into the skin or is suspected to be in the ear or eye.
A useful rule is simple: remove loose seeds from the coat, but seek veterinary help for seeds that appear lodged, embedded or out of reach.
How Are Grass Seeds In Dogs Treated?
Treatment depends on where the grass seed is and how deeply it has travelled.
Seeds Close To The Surface
If the seed is visible and accessible, a vet may be able to remove it using suitable instruments.
The affected area can then be checked for inflammation, infection or injury.
Grass Seeds In The Ear
A vet may examine the ear using an otoscope, an instrument that allows them to look down the ear canal.
If the seed is deep or the ear is painful, sedation may be needed so that it can be removed safely and thoroughly.
Grass Seeds In The Paw
If a seed has already travelled beneath the skin between the toes, finding it may require further investigation.
Some cases can be dealt with relatively simply, while others may require a procedure to explore the swollen area and locate the foreign material.
Seeds That Have Travelled Deeper
Grass seeds do not always remain at their point of entry.
If a vet suspects that a seed has migrated through the tissues, further investigation may be required. PDSA notes that grass seeds do not often show up on X-rays, which can make deeper foreign bodies more difficult to locate.
The important point for owners is that treatment is generally simpler when the problem is identified early.
When Should You Contact A Vet About A Grass Seed?
Speak to a vet if you think a grass seed has become lodged in your dog rather than simply caught in their coat.
Particular reasons to seek advice include:
- Persistent limping
- A swollen or painful paw
- Repeated licking that will not stop
- A visible wound or discharge
- Sudden, persistent head shaking
- Suspected grass seed inside an ear
- Repeated violent sneezing
- A painful or weeping eye
- A swelling that continues to grow
- Symptoms that persist after a walk
Early treatment can reduce the opportunity for the seed to move deeper into the body and cause further inflammation or infection.
The Five-Minute Check That Can Prevent Grass Seed Problems
You cannot remove every patch of long grass from your dog’s life, nor do you necessarily need to.
Instead, get into the habit of checking your dog when you return from walks during grass seed season.
Run your hands through the coat and pay particular attention to:
- Between the toes
- Around the paw pads
- The feathering on the legs
- Around and underneath the ears
- Armpits
- The chest and belly
- Around the face and eyes
Remove loose seeds before they have an opportunity to work towards the skin.
Dogs with longer hair around their paws and ears can be particularly prone to collecting seeds in their coat. Blue Cross recommends checking the feet and ears after exercise and keeping excess hair around these areas trimmed where appropriate.
If your dog repeatedly experiences grass seed problems, avoiding particularly dense areas of long, dry grass may also be worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grass Seeds In Dogs
Will A Grass Seed Come Out Of A Dog's Paw By Itself?
Do not rely on an embedded grass seed working its way back out. Its shape can allow it to travel further through the tissues instead. If your dog is licking, limping or has swelling between the toes, contact your vet for advice.
How Quickly Do Grass Seeds Cause Symptoms In Dogs?
Some symptoms can appear very quickly. A grass seed entering an ear may cause sudden head shaking during or shortly after a walk. Seeds that penetrate the skin can be less obvious initially, with licking, swelling or soreness appearing later.
Why Is My Dog Licking Their Paw After A Walk?
Check the paw carefully for grass seeds, cuts, thorns and other injuries. Persistent licking, particularly when accompanied by redness, swelling or limping, can indicate that something is lodged in the foot.
Can A Vet See A Grass Seed On An X-Ray?
Not necessarily. PDSA advises that grass seeds often do not show up on X-rays, which means deeper or migrating seeds can sometimes require other methods of investigation.
Are Some Dogs More Prone To Grass Seeds?
Any dog can be affected. However, dogs with longer hair around their ears and feet may collect seeds more easily, and dogs that frequently run through long grass naturally have greater exposure.
Do Not Ignore A Sudden Limp, Sore Paw Or Shaking Ear
Grass seeds are a small seasonal hazard that can be easy to overlook. The best defence is a thorough check after walks and prompt action when something does not seem right.
If your dog suddenly develops a limp, continually licks one paw, shakes their head or shows signs of eye irritation after being in long grass, check them carefully. Remove any grass seeds that are loose in the coat, but do not attempt to dig out anything that has pierced the skin or entered the ear or eye.
If you suspect a grass seed is lodged somewhere, Vista Vets can assess the affected area and advise on the appropriate next step. You can book a veterinary appointment with Vista Vets. If your dog is in significant pain or you believe they need urgent attention, contact the practice directly rather than waiting for a routine online appointment.
For further veterinary guidance, see the PDSA guide to grass seeds in dogs and Blue Cross advice on grass seeds and dogs.
