17/07/2025
🌱Grass Seeds🌱
These tiny, unsuspecting seeds can cause a lot more issues than you would expect. We have already seen over 15 cases of grass-seed related issues this past couple of weeks, and the summer has only just started!
Due to the barbs they have, it is very easy for them to get stuck and migrate into your pet's fur. This migration can then cause or encourage the grass seed to become embedded into the skin, where they can continue to migrate and become lodged quite deep into the skin. It is also very common for grass seeds to get caught up in your pet's ears, which left untreated, can cause trauma to the eardrum, ear infections, and in more severe cases head-tilts and vestibular (balancing) issues.
🌱How to protect against grass seeds🌱
-Avoid walking routes through long grass and fields.
-Check your pets coat after walks and time outdoors to remove any seeds that may have become caught.
-Keep long-coated breeds cut short, particularly around the paws, eyes and ears.
🌱How to spot if your pet has been affected by a grass seed🌱
-licking their paw constantly and vigorously
-has a painful swelling between their toes
-limping
-shaking their head
-pawing at their ear or rubbing it against surfaces after a walk
-suddenly and violently sneezing
-has redness, swelling or discharge in their eye
-chewing or licking at a sore spot on their skin
(This list is not extensive of all grass-seed symptoms, and they can also be a symptom of many other conditions. So if you are worried about your pet, please book a consultation for us to investigate further).
