Deb D’Andrea, Nederland. Running freely through fields of grass, your dog bounds and rolls and is having the time of his life. You decide to head inside for some grub and discover your pup covered in various hitch-hikers, Cheat Grass or June Grass, Downy Brome or Bromus tectorum L, these weeds are commonly found in the western parts of the U.S. and are referred to as foxtails. If not removed promptly, they can have devastating effects.

By design, the grass seed pods have microscopic barbs to help them stick into dirt and proliferate. Unfortunately, the pods also enjoy your dog or cat’s fur. They work their way through the fur, to the skin, and can cause major issues if not removed quickly. Each barb is designed to go inward and not reverse out, similar to a porcupine barb. The barbs can work their way through your pet’s skin, ending up in lungs or abdomens.

When we were in camping in Moab, foxtails were everywhere and each day, a couple of times a day, it became a routine to brush my Girls’ fur to remove any foxtails that had attempted to attach themselves. Even though we tried to avoid the grasses, Bear acquired a couple in her foot fur, which I removed before they had opportunity to do damage. Daily I cleaned the carpet and dog beds, removing any barbs that had fallen off.

Needless to say, I was vigilant in keeping these pesky foxtails at bay. One even jammed itself in the “Y” of my flip flop band, so when I put my shoe on, I was jabbed. No fun.

There were other types of burrs and grasses we ran across in our travels, but I have to admit the foxtails were some of the most difficult to work around, as they were everywhere.

With constant brushing, as well as daily ear, armpit (front and rear legs), foot fur and between-the-toes checks for early detection and removal, I was fortunate that none of my Girls had any issues. If I had not been on top of this, it could have gotten ugly quick.

It’s good to know your surroundings and what the potential risks are to your pets when traveling. Most people having some form of access to the internet while traveling, it’s easy to research what potential risks are in areas you’re visiting, so that you will be educated ahead of time about what to look for.

Till next time. Deb D’Andrea, founder of 4TheLuvOfDogz, provides mobile Canine Massage, Canine Agility and Petz Nanny Services for dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses, and other critters. 4TheLuvOfDogz home-made dog treats and K9Birthday Cakes are available direct. Contact Deb at 720-675-7078 or email at info@4theluvofdogz.com for more information.