Why Are Grass Seeds a Big Problem for Pets?

There’s nothing more wonderful for your pup or cat than running in the open, whether through meadows and fields or just your backyard, getting in all that fresh air and green grass. Grass seems pretty benign, right? But did you know that grass seed infection in dogs and cats is possible?

And that it can be quite serious?

PD’s claims manager tells us her team is seeing a surge in claims related to grass seeds over the past two months. Seeds from several common types of grass in New Zealand can get stuck in a pet’s coat, and from there penetrate their skin and cause an infection.

Crazy, right?! Here’s how you can prevent this painful ailment.

What is a grass seed infection in dogs and cats?

We’ve all seen grass seeds. They’re typically small, hard, and often have a pointed or barbed tip. Grass requires the wind or animals to disperse their seed, so they’re specifically shaped to get stuck in animal fur.

Grass seeds usually don’t cause a problem. They can be brushed off or may fall off naturally when your pet scratches themselves or sheds their fur. But in rare instances, these seeds can cause discomfort and irritation and lead to serious health problems if not removed.

In some cases, grass seeds can penetrate your pet’s skin and travel into their body, causing infections, abscesses, sepsis, and other complications. Grass seed infection really can be a serious issue. There’s even been a case in New Zealand where a grass awn managed to reach the spinal cord of a cocker spaniel and caused paralysis of the back legs.

What are the symptoms?

A grass seed infection in a dog or cat may produce the following symptoms and others:

Swelling and redness where the seed has lodged
Grass seeds tend to get stuck in between your pet’s paws or in their ears – so check these spots carefully.

Signs of pain or discomfort
Your pet will might be whining or meowing to show they’re in pain.

Discharge from the affected area
You may notice discharge or puss where the seed has lodged. A grass seed lodged in this poor pup’s thigh, causing an abscess that a vet had to lance. Warning for graphic content:

Scratching or licking the affected area
You may see your pet incessantly lick or scratch the spot where the seed has lodged.

Shaking their head or holding their head down
If a grass seed is stuck in your pet’s ear, you may see them shaking their head, holding their ear down, or rubbing their ear on the ground.

Sneezing, rubbing their nose, or pawing at their face
A dog or cat with a grass seed in their nose may sneeze, rub their nose, or paw at their face.

Loss of appetite
Your pet may stop eating due to the infection caused by the grass seed.

Fever
They may develop a fever due to infection.

Lameness
They may struggle to walk or stop walking completely due to a grass seed lodged in their paw or leg.

Speaking of grass, ever wondered Why Do Cats Eat Grass and Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? We Answer…

How can I prevent a grass seed infection in my dog or cat?

They are especially prevalent in the summer, so be sure to follow these steps particularly in the warmer seasons. Here are some other preventative tips:

Inspect and brush

You should be regularly brushing your pet, especially if they have thick fur. This is particularly important if you’ve been out and about where there’s been lots of grass.

Do a thorough inspection of their coat, paying special attention to their ears, paws, and the areas around their eyes, as these are the most common areas where grass seeds can become lodged. This type of inspection can also help with flea prevention and spotting any skin conditions in your pet.

Regular grooming

On addition to brushing, grooming your pet, especially shaving or shearing, can get rid of hidden grass seeds in addition to brushing. However, ask yourself this first: “Should I shave my dog, really?” Sometimes it will do more harm than good.

Keep your lawn short

Keeping your lawn short can help reduce the amount of grass seed production and make it easier to spot and remove any seeds that do land on your pet’s coat.

Use protective gear

Consider using protective gear such as pet boots, a coat, or a body suit to prevent grass seeds from sticking to your pet’s fur if you know they’ll spend time in an area with many seeds.

If you suspect that your pet has a grass seed infection, you should take them to the vet as soon as you can. The longer you leave it in place, the more likely it becomes to cause problems and the harder it will be to remove. Read about grass seed complications in Romeo the PD dog.

What grasses should I look out for?

Several types of grass in New Zealand have seeds that can cause problems for pets. They include (pictures courtesy of Wikimedia Commons):

• Couch grass

• Ryegrass

• Yorkshire fog

• Barley grass

Insurance for the unexpected

Did you ever think that grass seeds could cause so many problems for your pet? That’s the nature of accident and illnesses – they’re almost always unexpected. For the peace of mind knowing your fur ball is covered against the unforeseen, consider pet insurance.

PD is an award winning brand that offers value rich, month to month cover for your pet. The sooner you invest in a pet plan, the broader the range of cover they get – especially when they’re still a puppy or kitten. Rather than having to ask yourself can dogs get sunburn, ask yourself whether you can you protect them easily when they really most need it.

Having dog insurance helps that answer be a ‘yes’. Get a quick quote below.