Foxtails are a grass-like weed that grows prolifically throughout Colorado. It grows as well in pastures and lawns as it does in gravel driveways and cracks in the sidewalk. When the plant starts to grow in spring, it’s actually lovely; it’s a bright green, soft, fast-growing grass that many dogs find irresistible for chewing. As it begins to mature, it produces the structure that resembles a fox’s tail: a thick, bristly spike that starts out green and soft. As temperatures increase and the rains end, the grass begins to dry out and the spikes turn yellow. The drier they get, the more brittle they become, and the plume-like “foxtail” starts to fall apart into individual segments, each tipped by a sharp seed – creating a severe hazard to our pets. 

Foxtails Are Designed to Penetrate Quickly

The seeds are very hard and tipped with a sharp point that can puncture your dog’s skin and enter his body. Attached to the seed are long, fibrous awns, which are covered with microscopic bristles that are arranged in a single direction, like the teeth on a rasp or nail file – or a porcupine quill. Any contact with these tiny bristles literally pushes the seed forward.

What You Can Do

• Check your dog after every exposure to the weeds, especially between his toes. If he has the kind of coat that attracts foxtails, brush or comb him thoroughly. A bath with plenty of conditioner can help you find pesky seeds.

• Pull up the foxtail plant by the roots as soon as it begins to produce its signature plumes in the spring. Before the plumes appear, it’s hard to tell which grass is foxtail grass and which is not. Dispose of the whole plants – bag them securely and send them to the landfill. The seeds often survive even intense composting; so skip the compost bin.

• Keep pets out of dry, grassy fields and roadsides.

• Keep your pet’s coat clean and well-groomed. This may mean clipping fur short to help reduce grass seed accumulation and facilitate daily inspections.