It’s summer. The sun hangs low and golden over the fields, and the grass sways lazily in the wind. In between? A joyfully romping dog with ears flopping in delight. How idyllic! And terribly deceptive because this idyll harbors an almost invisible danger. No, not ticks, they are momentarily subdued. It’s about grass awns.

The seemingly harmless bristle heads along the roadside are rarely on the radar of many dog owners during walks, and they only pay attention to grass awns when it’s already too late because grass awns are dangerous!

In the following, we’ll explain why that is the case, what grass awns are, where they grow, how to avoid them, what happens when grass awns get tangled in the fur, and what to do in case of an emergency.

The inconspicuous danger: What are Grass Awns?

Grass awns are small, bristle-like plant parts that can look like stiff brushes or feathered arrows, sitting at the upper end of grass or cereal stalks, giving the plants their unmistakable appearance. Whether straight, curved, or twisted, whether hairy or rough – grass awns are diverse and vary in shape and length depending on the type of grass or cereal.

However, they do not differ in their function: Grass awns always envelop the seeds of the respective plants, protecting them from external adversities with their rough surfaces but, due to many small barbs, also ensuring the spread of seeds – thus ensuring the long-term survival of grasses and cereals. In theory, a good thing: When an animal wanders through tall grass or a field in the summer, the small ear bristles break off and hitchhike in the fur, traveling many stations before eventually falling off. This way, the plants are transported to other places and can spread effortlessly.

Or at least that’s Mother Nature’s plan. In reality, the grass awns get caught in the animals’ coat. Shaking them off is not an option, thanks to the barbs on the grass awns. What initially sounds only annoying is unfortunately just the beginning: With every shake, scratch, or lick, with every movement and touch, the grass awns continue to travel through the fur, penetrating deeper towards the skin.

Initially quite harmless: What do Grass Awns look like?

At first glance, grass awns seem absolutely harmless: small, hairy, almost feather-like bristles that gently sway in the wind and only briefly prick when touched with bare skin. Whether barley, rye, or emmer – many sweet grasses have hair-shaped grass awns, primarily differing in rotation, length, or curvature. Many recognize the ear bristles at first glance but would not suspect any danger behind the typical stalk tips. This is primarily due to their widespread distribution and the fact that cereals and grasses have long been part of the common vegetation in many parts of the United States.

On the trail: Where can Grass Awns be found?

Nature has generally set it up cleverly for all life forms: Once organisms have found a niche for themselves, they can make it their home – and proliferate. This also applies to grass- and cereal-carrying grass awns. Whether in rural areas – on paths and forest edges, on fields and meadows, near rivers and lakes – or in the middle of the city: Grass awns have long since spread. Their niches? Are everywhere.

The mouse barley, a plant species from the barley genus, is particularly one of the most widespread carriers of grass awns in the country. And at the same time, it is one of the most treacherous because mouse barley grows on roadsides, even in cities, and can be particularly dangerous to dogs. Mouse barley reaches an average height of only 20 to 30 centimeters, precisely at the height of many sniffing noses.

Why are Grass Awns so dangerous for dogs?

Grass awns easily and quickly attach to surfaces – even a gentle brush can be enough to detach the ear bristle from the stalk and carry it along. Especially for dogs – but also for adventurous cats that like to explore their neighborhood on their own – this circumstance can become a real danger.

Due to the special “design” of grass awns, the sharp barbs do not just hang on the animal’s fur; thanks to their proportions, they can easily penetrate the animal’s skin or mucous membrane, fitting into other body openings and between the paws. And not only that: Their shape and surface structure give grass awns an unsuspected mobility. They move. Specifically, this means: As soon as the animal resists the captured grass awn, the foreign body can start moving, thus “traveling” further, causing painful injuries and even permanent damage when penetrating the skin.

Where can Grass Awns Lodge in Dogs?

As the height of plants ultimately determines where grass awns break off from the stalk and attach to the fur, these nasty little ear bristles can be almost anywhere on the dog’s body. So, vigilance is required!

For Dogs: Grass Awns in the Nose

Dogs are famously keen sniffers. Whether during enjoyable sniffing or targeted tracking, grass awns significantly interfere with dogs in the great outdoors. Therefore, the motto “Always follow the nose” should be approached with special caution. Once a grass awn gets caught in a dog’s nose, it can not only be uncomfortable but even life-threatening. If the grass awn remains unnoticed, it can penetrate deeper into the nose, bore through the mucous membranes into the nasal passages – and in doubtful cases, reach the windpipe or even deeper into the bronchi.

On its destructive path through the dog’s airways, the grass awn causes severe pain and forms additional inflammation foci at various points of contact, ranging from suppurations and abscesses to pneumonia and pericarditis.

Symptoms: Grass Awn in the Dog’s Nose

Grass awns in the dog’s nose can trigger the following symptoms:

Removal of the Grass Awn from the Dog’s Nose

If it becomes apparent that the dog has caught a grass awn in its nose, only one thing helps: immediate veterinary assistance! It is strongly advisable not to attempt to remove the grass awn from the dog’s nose yourself – in doing so, the grass awn can either penetrate deeper into the tissue, get entangled, or cause even greater damage.

During a veterinary examination, after an initial anamnesis, a rhinoscopy is performed (the “observation” of the inner nose under anesthesia, using a tiny camera), which helps assess the location correctly. Once the grass awn is located, it can then be easily removed.

For Dogs: Grass Awns in the Ears

Whether erect or floppy ears, whether fluffy or short hair – even dog ears are not immune to the attack of ear bristles. Depending on where the grass awn attaches to the fur, it can potentially penetrate the outer ear canal and burrow deep into the surrounding tissue up to the inner ear. Inflammations are inevitable.

Symptoms: Grass Awn in the Dog’s Ear

Grass awns in the dog’s ear can trigger the following symptoms:

Removal of the Grass Awn from the Dog’s Ear

Attempting to remove the grass awn on your own is strongly discouraged! Through a wrong approach, the grass awn can penetrate even deeper into the ear, causing unbearable pain and serious damage. If the dog reacts unusually, for example, by shaking its head or scratching the ear, a veterinarian should be contacted as soon as possible.

During a veterinary examination, the ear is examined with an otoscope and checked for possible damage. Since grass awns in the ear can cause particularly intense and severe pain, the animal usually needs to be sedated for a thorough examination and subsequent removal. After removal, further therapeutic measures often follow – depending on the extent of the suffered damage.

For Dogs: Grass Awns in the Eyes

Dogs are always right in the middle of things, not just bystanders. Therefore, whenever they can, they seize every opportunity to plunge into adventure. This includes a spirited leap into the field or a race through tall grass. Unfortunately, ripe awns are already waiting there for their first fleeting touch, ready to embark on a journey. As grass awns often grow at eye level with dogs, it is not uncommon for awn-laden bristle heads with barbs to attach to the forehead, eyelids, and eyes of the animals. Once grass awns get into the eyes themselves, severe and extremely painful injuries can occur. Therefore, it is even more important to observe the dog closely after going for a walk.

Symptoms: Grass Awn in the Eye

Grass awns in the eye can trigger the following symptoms:

Removal of the Grass Awn from the Eye

If a grass awn has reached the dog’s eye, utmost urgency is required for dog owners. Not only because serious and long-term damage can result, but also because the foreign body can cause intense pain, putting the dog in considerable stress. The grass awn in the eye additionally causes strong irritation and restlessness, making it nearly impossible for owners to remove the awn themselves without inflicting further injuries to the dog. Therefore, it is strongly advised to refrain from acting on your own on such a sensitive area as the eye and using tweezers – even if the awn has “only” become entangled in the eyelid.

With the appropriate specialized equipment – and after a mild sedation of the dog – early detection should allow avoiding the worst, and the removal of the grass awn should be possible without issues.

For Dogs: Grass Awns Between the Paws

For most grass and cereal species, it is unnecessary to leave their seeds and awns to the wind; they prefer to attach to the next companion that comes their way. And often quite literally: grass awns in dogs frequently get caught between their paws. Sensitive dogs usually notice the awn very quickly and clearly indicate the lodged bristle. Less sensitive animals unfortunately endure the pain often for far too long, sometimes with serious consequences, as the awn burrows into the thin paw skin – into the spaces between the toes and the webbing. Severe inflammations and intense pain ensue. Quick action is needed!

Symptoms: Grass Awn in the Dog’s Paw

Grass awns in dog paws can trigger the following symptoms:

Removal of the Grass Awn from the Dog’s Paw

If a grass awn has lodged superficially in the paw’s inter-fur, it can be relatively easily removed with tweezers. But beware! As soon as it becomes clear that the awn has already become entangled in the tissue of the paw, veterinary treatment is inevitable. The veterinarian will clean and thoroughly examine the wound; some paw grass awns can be easily treated with drawing salve. For this, the salve is applied to the entry wound, and the drawing salve soon pulls the foreign body to the skin surface, where it can then be easily removed.

If this is not possible, or if it is already an advanced infection or even an abscess, the area must be surgically opened to remove the awn from the paw. In any case, pain medication, the administration of antibiotics, and gentle but regular cleaning help.

For Dogs: Grass Awns in the Armpits

A brief excursion into the tall grass along the roadside may be enough – a leap and a hop, a small sidestep – and a grass awn has already hooked in. When the dog is in motion, it may not be immediately noticeable, but right under the armpits, where the fur often thins out, a bristle can quickly pierce the dog’s sensitive skin.

Grass awns in the armpits are quite common, especially in animals with long or dense fur. A quick and thorough screening after a walk can help. Otherwise, it is essential to closely observe the dog after a venture through tall grass. The symptoms are relatively clear.

Symptoms: Grass Awn in the Armpit

Grass awns under the armpits can trigger the following symptoms:

Removal of the Grass Awn from the Armpit

When dealing with grass awns under the armpit, it is first necessary to determine whether and to what extent the awn has already embedded itself in the dog’s skin. If the bristle has already penetrated, self-removal is definitely strongly advised against. The risk of injuring the surrounding tissue is too great. This should only be done by veterinary professionals. If the awn is merely tangled in the upper fur of the dog, it can be easily and painlessly removed with tweezers.

For Dogs: Grass Awns in the Genital Area

A momentary sit in the wrong place, perhaps one too many rolls through the grass, and it’s done: a grass awn has become entangled in the dog’s genital area. And now it won’t budge. Since the skin in this area of the animal is particularly sensitive and thin, the dog will usually make its discomfort apparent quickly and likely show one or more of the following symptoms:

Symptoms: Grass Awn in the Genital Area

Removal of the Grass Awn from the Genital Area

A barb under the skin is generally a painful experience for animals – at first glance, it seems almost irrelevant where the awn has embedded itself in the dog’s skin. In reality, there are areas on the dog’s body that are particularly sensitive due to connective tissue, including the genital area. Here, the awn does not need to penetrate through many layers of fur. Additionally, the skin is much thinner here than in other areas, leaving the bristle almost defenseless. Instead of taking active measures and trying to remove the awn with tweezers – risking breaking it off or driving it deeper into the tissue – contacting veterinary professionals is strongly recommended.

What to Do If Your Dog Gets a Grass Awn?

It fundamentally depends on where and how the grass awn has become entangled in the dog’s fur or skin to decide on the next steps. If the bristle has only superficially lodged in the fur, it can often be easily removed. The key is to do this with due caution and plenty of finesse; tweezers are definitely helpful. The “short and painless” or “just pull it out” method is out of the question. If the awn has reached the nose, eyes, or ears, attempting to remove the bristle on your own should be completely avoided – the risk of driving the awn deeper into the dog’s body is far too great.

Has the bristle made contact with connective tissue, penetrated the skin, or entered body openings, veterinary attention should be sought as soon as possible. If the paws are affected by a grass awn, try to keep the dog as calm and still as possible. Treats are, as usual, a great help in accomplishing this. While the small plant particles may look harmless, they deceive – the barbs continuously embed themselves deeper into the body with every movement, causing increasingly intense pain.

Is There Prevention Against Grass Awns in Dogs?

Recognizing a grass awn early is the most significant and important form of prevention. This starts with exploring the surroundings during the next walk. Whether in the middle of the city, where mouse barley can hide between tall grasses, or in the countryside, where the wind lazily sweeps over barley and rye fields, scattering bristles into the field rows – grass awns are everywhere. Avoiding them smartly and foresightedly helps preventatively the most.

If your furry friend has just wandered off and playfully thrown itself into tall grass, patience is required. And this means, above all, a thorough and comprehensive examination. It helps to gently run your hand through the animal’s fur. If your fingers get caught in something, it should be checked quickly. In very dense fur, moistening the area is recommended; this makes the fur thinner, making irregularities or foreign bodies much easier to detect.

With vigilance through the summer

For the next summer walk, trimming the dog’s fur (please don’t shave completely!), especially on the paws, ears, and around the eyes, is recommended. The more trimmed the fur is in these areas, the less likely grass awns can become entangled during brushing by. A good insurance policy also helps to tackle the embedding of grass awns in case of an emergency. Therefore, there is no reason to wait unnecessarily or hesitantly. Speed is crucial. Therefore, attention, vigilance, and immediate assistance are even more important; they prevent the worst and ensure that your furry friend can enjoy every summer in the future – awn-free.