If you’ve taken your dog for a walk anywhere around Airdrie or Calgary lately, you’ve probably noticed those golden, wheat-like grasses lining our pathways, parks, and empty lots.
They look innocent enough—maybe even pretty when the breeze hits them. But to dog owners in Alberta, they are a total nightmare: Foxtail Barley (also known as Spear Grass).
They're not just on the trails either—right now in Airdrie, foxtails are cropping up in neighbourhood parks, around school playgrounds, and even in our own front and back yards! I've been pulling them out of my own yard weekly just to keep Daisy and Spot safe.
Two years ago, Daisy had a terrifying run-in with a foxtail that landed us straight in the emergency vet clinic. Now that mid-to-late summer is here and foxtails are drying up all over town, I want to share our story so you know what to look for and how to protect your dog.
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What Happened to Daisy: Our Emergency Vet Trip.
It happened in a split second. We were out on a routine daily walk, and Daisy was doing her usual nose-to-the-ground sniffing routine near a grassy patch. Before I could pull her back, she sniffed deeply and swallowed a dried foxtail seed head.
Within seconds, she began violent, distressing gagging and coughing, pawing frantically at her mouth.
I checked her mouth right there on the path, but I couldn't see anything. The seed had already hooked itself inside her throat. We rushed straight to the emergency vet, where they had to sedate her to safely locate and extract the barbed seed before it could travel deeper into her lungs or esophagus.
It was scary, expensive, and completely preventable if I had known just how aggressive these weeds actually are.
Why Foxtails Are So Dangerous: The "Fishhook Effect
Foxtail seeds are designed by nature to bury into the soil—and unfortunately, that means they are also designed to bury into your dog.
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Backward Barbs: Each seed has tiny, microscopic barbs. Once a foxtail enters a dog's fur, paws, ears, or mouth, it can only move forward. It acts like a tiny fishhook, migrating deeper with every movement your dog makes.
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They Don't Dissolve: Unlike a thorn or wood splinter, a dog’s body cannot break down or dissolve a foxtail seed. If left untreated, it can cause severe infection, abscesses, or internal organ damage.
4 Red-Flag Symptoms Every Dog Parent Needs to Know
Depending on where the seed attaches, the warning signs happen fast:
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👅 In the Mouth or Throat (Like Daisy): Sudden gagging, retching, violent coughing, or pawing at the mouth.
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👃 In the Nose: Sudden, explosive sneezing (sometimes dozens of times in a row) or bleeding from one nostril.
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🐾 In the Paws or Skin: Constant, obsessive licking between the toes, a red swollen bump that looks like a pimple, or sudden limping.
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👂 In the Ears: Sudden head tilting, continuous head shaking, or whining when you touch their ear.
How We Protect Daisy & Spot During Prairie Summer Walks
Since foxtails are everywhere in Airdrie right now, here is our non-negotiable summer routine:
1. Stick to Clean Pathways
We avoid overgrown field borders, empty development lots, and unmown trail edges where dry prairie grasses thrive.
2. The 2-Minute Post-Walk Inspection
The moment we step inside, both dogs get a full body check:
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Paws: Spread the toe pads and check between every single toe.
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Underbelly & Armpits: Feel around where the fur is thin.
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Ears & Collar: Check inside the ear flaps and under their collar.
3. Protective Gear for High-Risk Dogs
If you have a dog that loves diving nose-first into tall brush, extra protection is worth every penny:
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Dog Boots (Use with Caution in Summer!): Boots are great for keeping sharp seeds out of delicate paw pads on dry trails. Just remember that dogs cool down by sweating through their paw pads! Avoid heavy rubber boots during hot afternoon walks so your dog doesn't overheat. If we're walking near heavy brush on cool mornings, we stick to lightweight, breathable dog boots and remove them as soon as we're back on the sidewalk.
- Mesh Head Covers: If your dog snouts through tall grass, lightweight mesh covers keep them from sniffing up seed heads while still letting them pant freely.
Foxtails aren't the only summer hazard in Alberta! Make sure you also check out our guide on Keep your Dog Cool During Summer Heat Waves to keep your dog safe all season long.
What to Do If You Suspect a Foxtail
If you see a foxtail sitting loosely on top of your dog's coat or gently resting on the surface of their paw, pull it out immediately with tweezers.
However, if the seed is already embedded under the skin, inside the ear canal, up the nose, or swallowed—DO NOT WAIT.
Do not try to dig for it or probe it yourself. Contact your vet or local emergency clinic right away. The faster a vet can remove it, the less damage it can do!
Stay safe out on the trails this summer, and give your pups an extra paw-check after today's walk! 🐾
— Mom of Daisy & Spot