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Why are grass awns dangerous for your dog?

Why are grass awns dangerous for your dog?

Written by Anne | July 22, 2026

Grass awns are difficult to avoid. Fields full of tall, wild grass with seed heads covered in tiny barbs. These barbs in particular can cause serious problems in both dogs and cats. In this article, you can read exactly what you can do to prevent problems caused by grass awns.

What are grass awns?

A grass awn forms part of the sharp seed head of a type of grass. The stiff seed heads found at the ends of long blades of grass are usually green. Once they have finished flowering and dried out, they turn yellow and fall apart easily. Grass awns can be found everywhere. You may come across them on verges and alongside grassy areas, but they can also grow between paving slabs.

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Why are grass awns dangerous for dogs?

Grass awns are also sometimes called creepers. This is because the seeds have tiny barbs. These allow the seeds to attach themselves to a dog walking past. They often do not remain in the coat, but begin to work their way further in. They can even penetrate the skin and travel underneath it, either emerging elsewhere or becoming encapsulated inside the body.

Check your dog for grass awns after every walk

Grass awns can become caught almost anywhere in the coat, but the places where they are most commonly found are:

In the ears: Grass awns can cause an ear infection, but they can also penetrate the eardrum and cause a middle ear infection.
Between the toes: They can penetrate the skin between the toes and travel underneath the skin.
In the eyes: They can pass behind the eyeball via the eyelids and form abscesses there.
In the nose or throat: If grass awns are inhaled or swallowed, they can become lodged in the nose or throat and cause symptoms. These may include sudden coughing, sneezing, a runny nose and nosebleeds.

How can you recognise possible symptoms of grass awns in dogs?

After walking your dog through long grass containing grass awns, it is always wise to check your dog thoroughly when you return home, just as you would check for ticks. A fine dog comb can help you inspect the coat properly. Use the tick card to remove any ticks you find. Pay particular attention to the ears and paws.

It is especially advisable to visit your veterinarian and mention that you have walked through long grass if your dog shows any of the following symptoms:

Shaking the head or scratching the ears
Suddenly limping after a walk or biting or licking the paws
Watery eyes or squinting
Suddenly sneezing or coughing, rubbing the head along the ground or moving a paw along the side of the head

It is not always immediately clear that a small piece of grass awn is causing the problem. A barb can break off and leave a tiny fragment behind. Even such a small piece can cause problems. Grass awns do not disappear on their own. The longer you wait, the deeper a grass awn can travel and the more serious the problems can become. It will also become increasingly difficult to locate and remove the grass awn. Do not wait too long if you suspect one may be present.

Do you still have questions about grass awns? Contact our veterinary team at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.

Frequently asked questions about grass seeds in dogs

How can I protect my dog from grass seeds?

Grass seeds are difficult to prevent completely, but you can significantly reduce the risk. During the summer months, avoid areas with tall, dry grass as much as possible, especially when the grass seeds are ripe. Check your dog thoroughly after every walk, paying extra attention to the paws, between the toes, the ears, nose, eyes and coat. For long-haired dogs, it can help to keep the hair between the paw pads short, so that grass seeds are less likely to become lodged.

Grass seed dog nose

A grass seed in the nose often causes sudden and intense sneezing, nasal discharge or rubbing the nose along the ground. Because a grass seed can move deeper and deeper into the nose, it is important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Do not try to remove the grass seed yourself.

Grass seed dog paws

Grass seeds can easily become lodged between the toes or in the paw pads. This may cause licking of the paw, lameness, swelling or a painful wound. Always check the paws after a walk and only remove a grass seed if it is still loose on the surface. If the grass seed is already embedded in the skin, or if the area is swollen or inflamed, contact your veterinarian.

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Grass awn in cats: a small plant with major consequences

Grass awns pose a risk to dogs every year, but cats can also be affected by them. Cats that spend a lot of time outdoors, roam through tall grass or like to hunt along verges and in meadows are particularly at risk. Due to their shape, grass awns can become lodged in the coat, skin, ears, nose or even between the toes. Once they have entered the body, they can move further through it and cause painful inflammation. In this blog, you can read what a grass awn is, how to recognise a grass awn in a cat and what you can do to help prevent problems.

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About the author

Mara van Brussel-Broere, Veterinarian at Vetsend

Graduated as a companion animal veterinarian from Utrecht University, she uses her practical experience to advise customers and share knowledge at Vetsend. She finds it important to provide pet owners with clear information about health and wellbeing.