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Grass seeds might look harmless, but they’re sharp, sneaky, and surprisingly good at causing trouble — a real pain in the paw… or eye… or ear!

Across New Zealand, grass seed issues are most common in summer and autumn, when grasses like barley grass and ryegrass dry out and release their seeds. These seeds are designed to travel — unfortunately, your pet can end up giving them a ride.

As your dog (or adventurous cat) moves through long grass, seeds can easily catch in their coat. Because of their barbed, arrow-like shape, they tend to move in one direction only — forwards — allowing them to work their way into skin, ears, eyes, and sometimes deeper tissues.

Grass seeds are naturally designed to burrow into firm ground, so soft tissues like skin and muscle are very easy for them to penetrate.

Why Grass Seeds Can Be a Problem

Once a grass seed becomes embedded, it can:

• Cause painful inflammation (a foreign body reaction)
• Carry bacteria into the body, leading to infection or abscesses
• Migrate through tissues, sometimes quite deeply
• Often require sedation, imaging or surgery to locate and remove

In some cases, grass seeds can travel a surprising distance under the skin. Sometimes the initial irritation settles, only for more serious signs to appear weeks or even months later — so it’s not always obvious that a grass seed is the cause.

Signs to Watch For

The signs can vary depending on where the seed is, but they often come on quite suddenly:

• Licking or chewing at a spot (especially a paw)
• Swelling or redness
• Sudden head shaking or ear scratching
• Limping
• Squinting, discharge from the eyes.
• Oozing wound
• Sudden sneezing or coughing (often in bursts)

Prevention – Your Best Defence

Grass seeds are common, but there are some simple ways to reduce the risk:

• Try to avoid long, dry grass, especially during summer and autumn
• Do a quick check over your pet after walks, focusing on

1. Between the toes
2. Inside and around the ears
3. Around the eyes
4. Armpits and groin

• Keep coats well-groomed and trimmed, particularly for long-haired dogs
• Clip hair around feet and ears during high-risk months

When to See Us

If you think your pet may have a grass seed, it’s best not to wait — they rarely work their way out on their own.

When caught early, they’re usually simple to deal with. If left longer, they can move deeper and become more complicated to treat.

Don’t let grass seeds become a thorn in your side — or your pet’s! If you’re concerned, we’re here to help, so get in touch with your local Vets North clinic.