Grass seeds: the quiet menace for dogs
Grass seeds might be small, but they pose a big risk to dogs in summer. Learn how to spot the signs, prevent injuries and keep your Copenhagen walks carefree.
Summer in Copenhagen has its charms: soft light until late, long grass in Søndermarken or Fælledparken, dogs weaving through it as if they've got places to be. But hidden in all that joyful chaos is something small and surprisingly troublesome: the humble grass seed.
These pointy little seeds sit at the tops of long grass stems, waiting (it seems) for the next passing paw or tail. To a dog, they're invisible. To us, they're an annual reminder to check fur and feet after a ramble. Why? Because grass seeds aren't just clingy; they're sharp.
Once caught in a coat, they can burrow into the skin, slip between toes, or lodge in ears, eyes or even noses. It sounds dramatic, but anyone who's seen their dog go from bounding joy to paw-licking misery knows how quickly a grass seed can turn into a vet visit. Left unchecked, they can even travel under the skin to more sensitive places, making them tricky to find and remove.
Where they lurk
Grass seeds are most plentiful in late spring and throughout summer — May to August, roughly — when wild grasses go to seed. They're commonly found in unmown parks, nature reserves, along paths and in any area where grass grows tall and dries out.
In Copenhagen, watch out for patches in Fælledparken, Amager Fælled, Utterslev Mose and along lesser-walked trails in wooded areas. Even some parts of Assistens Kirkegård have grasses that drop seeds this time of year.
The seeds themselves are barbed at one end, designed by nature to travel forward into the ground. Unfortunately, that same design allows them to travel forward into fur, and they don't back out.
Signs your dog has picked one up
Grass seeds don't always announce themselves immediately. Sometimes a dog will seem fine on the walk, then start showing symptoms hours later. Keep an eye out for:
- Sudden, persistent head shaking or ear scratching
- Excessive licking or chewing at paws
- Limping or refusing to put weight on a paw
- Swelling, redness or heat between the toes
- Sneezing fits or pawing at the nose
- Discharge from eyes or nose
If you notice any of these, check your dog carefully. If you can't see or safely remove the seed yourself, book a vet appointment. The longer a grass seed stays in, the deeper it travels.
Prevention (and a bit of post-walk routine)
Avoiding grass seeds entirely isn't realistic if you live in a city full of parks. But you can reduce the risk.
Stick to mown paths when possible, especially during peak season. If your dog does romp through longer grass, check them thoroughly after the walk:
- Run your hands over their coat, feeling for anything stuck or unusual
- Check carefully between toes, under the tail, around the belly and near the armpits
- Inspect ears, especially if your dog has floppy or hairy ones
- Brush out any visible seeds before they work their way in
For dogs with long or thick coats, consider trimming the fur around paws and ears during summer. It won't eliminate the problem, but it does make seeds easier to spot.
When to see a vet
If your dog is showing signs of discomfort and you can't locate the seed, don't wait. Grass seeds move quickly once embedded, and early removal is far simpler — and cheaper — than dealing with an abscess or infection later.
Some vets recommend routine checks during grass seed season, especially for at-risk breeds like spaniels, setters and any dog with long, feathered coats. If in doubt, ask. A quick check-up is a small thing that can prevent a much bigger problem.
Summer in Copenhagen is still lovely. The parks are still worth the visit. Just keep an eye on the grass — and on your dog.