Grass Seeds in Dogs: What to Look For and When to See a Vet

A grass seed problem is what happens when a small, sharp-tipped seed from long grass pierces your dog’s skin or lodges in an ear, behind an eyelid or between the toes. The PDSA explains that seeds can work their way into the body and travel around, causing infections and abscesses. If you think one is stuck anywhere, speak to your vet.

At a glance

• What it is: a pointed grass seed stuck in, or under, the skin, an ear, an eye or the paw.
• Who it affects: any dog that goes through long grass. In a University of Liverpool SAVSNET study, spaniels were 7.7 times more likely than retrievers to be seen with one.
• Urgency: soon. Book a vet appointment if you find a seed stuck, because the PDSA says the sooner it is removed, the less trouble it is likely to cause.
• Vet needed? Yes, if a seed is stuck or a wound or swelling could contain one.

Signs to look for

The signs depend on where the seed has ended up. The PDSA lists:

• Ears: a lot of scratching or head shaking.
• Eyes: a painful, weepy eye, which can mean a seed behind the eyelid.
• Paws: licking or nibbling between the toes, saliva staining and swelling. A swelling there may be an interdigital cyst (a lump between the toes).
• Elsewhere in the body: a seed that has travelled can cause vague signs, such as a wound that won’t heal, low energy and an on-and-off high temperature.

If your dog seems generally unwell, our sick dog symptoms guide can help you decide how quickly to call.

Causes and risk factors

Seeds are picked up in long grass, and the PDSA says to check dogs after they have been running in it. A large UK study, published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine by Brant and colleagues (University of Liverpool), looked at 1,037 grass seed consultations across 245 UK practices. 940 of them (90.6%) were recorded between June and September, though cases turned up in every month. Spaniels were 7.7 times more likely than retrievers to be seen with a grass seed, and male dogs also had higher odds. The authors found risk varied by region, with the East of England highest and Wales lowest.

When to call your vet

Speak to your vet if you think a seed is stuck anywhere, or if you find a wound or swelling that might contain one. The PDSA says a seed under the skin can start migrating around the body, and that the sooner it is removed, the less trouble it is likely to cause. A painful or weepy eye, a dog shaking its head or a licked-raw paw all deserve a call. If you don’t have a regular practice, our guide to finding a vet near you is a good start.

How vets diagnose it

Sometimes a vet can see or feel the seed on examination. The PDSA says seeds inside the body are harder to find and often don’t show up on X-rays, so a vet may investigate further, even if they can’t see or feel anything, when they suspect one.

What vets generally do about it

Treatment depends on where the seed is, and your vet decides what is right. According to the PDSA:

• A seed under the skin can sometimes be pulled out by your vet with the right instruments.
• Behind the eyelid, removal may be done under local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthetic, and the vet checks the eye surface for damage.
• In the ear, a seed is sometimes removed with an otoscope (the ear-viewing tool). Deep or painful seeds may need sedation, and any ear infection needs treating too.
• Between the toes, a seed just beneath the skin may be removed while your dog is awake, but an operation is much more likely to be needed to find one that has gone deeper.
• A seed that has migrated may need referral to a specialist centre for tests such as a CT scan, and possibly surgery.

Living with it and prevention

The PDSA advice is to check your dog after walks in long grass, especially between the toes, under the armpits and around the eyes, and to avoid long grass if your dog is prone to seed problems. The Liverpool authors point out that summer is the peak, but seeds can be found outside those months too. Costs vary, and a CT scan or surgery can add up quickly, so it is worth reading about UK pet insurance before you need it.

Related conditions

• Ear infections in dogs, as a seed in the ear can lead to one
• Conjunctivitis in dogs, for red, weepy eyes
• Skin infections in dogs
• Hot spots in dogs, another cause of constant licking and sore skin
• Back to the dog illnesses A-Z

Sources

• PDSA: Grass seeds in dogs
• University of Liverpool / SAVSNET: Seasonality and risk factors for grass seed foreign bodies in dogs (Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2021)
• University of Liverpool SAVSNET: study news summary

This page is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, speak to your vet. Written by Georgiana & Figo, who are dog owners, not vets. Have a look around Calmshops for everyday dog essentials.