06/16/2026
🌾 Foxtail Season Is Here… And They’re More Dangerous Than They Look! Pictured below is a foxtail Doctor Evatz surgically removed from an abscess on this pets neck. Next are foxtails Doctor Salter removed from a ruptured abscess caused by FIVE foxtails in this cat’s paw, and last but certainly not least Doctor Salter removed foxtails from both of this cats EYES 😣 ouch!
Those dry, grassy seed heads you see along trails, fields, vacant lots, and even in your own yard can pose a serious threat to both dogs and cats.
Foxtails are designed to move in one direction ->forward. Once they attach to your pet, they can burrow deeper into the body and won’t work their way back out on their own.
Common places we find foxtails include:
👁️ Eyes
👂 Ears
👃 Nose
👄 Tonsils and mouth
🐾 Between the toes
🦴 Under the skin
💛 Even deeper into the chest or abdomen in severe cases
Signs your pet may have a foxtail:
• Sudden, excessive licking or chewing at a paw
• Head shaking or scratching at the ears
• Squinting, redness, or pawing at an eye
• Sneezing or bloody nasal discharge
• Difficulty swallowing, gagging, or coughing
• Swelling, draining tracts, or painful lumps
🐕 Prevention is key!
✔️ Check your pet after every walk or hike.
✔️ Pay close attention to paws, ears, eyes, armpits, and around the mouth.
✔️ Keep long hair between the toes trimmed.
✔️ Avoid areas with dry, overgrown grasses whenever possible.
If you think your pet has encountered a foxtail, don’t wait. The sooner it’s found and removed, the better the outcome. Some foxtails require sedation or surgery to safely remove before they cause more serious damage.
📞 If you notice any of these signs, give Wasatch Animal Clinic a call. We’re here to help keep your furry family members safe all season long! ❤️🐾
