Foxtail Safety for Dogs in South San Francisco

The trails on Sign Hill are a favorite walk in South San Francisco, but once the hillside grass dries out in late spring and summer, it comes with a hidden hazard for dogs: foxtails. These barbed grass seeds are built to work their way in one direction only, which is why they are worth taking seriously.

Where Foxtails Hide

• Between the toes and pads, the most common spot of all.
• Inside the ears, especially on dogs with long, floppy ears.
• In the nose, after a good sniff through tall grass.
• In the armpits, groin and under the tail, wherever fur is long and dense.
• Around the eyes.

A Quick Check After Every Walk

Run your hands slowly over your dog from nose to tail, spreading the toes and lifting the ears to look inside. Brush out the feathering on the legs and belly. It takes a couple of minutes, and it is far easier on a dog whose coat is kept neat.

Signs to Call Your Vet

Sudden head shaking or pawing at an ear, repeated sneezing, licking or limping on one foot, or a swollen bump between the toes can all mean a foxtail has got in. Do not try to dig one out yourself: a vet can remove it safely before it travels further.

How Grooming Helps

A tidy paw trim, a sanitary trim and keeping long feathering under control give foxtails fewer places to hide and make your after-walk check much quicker. During the dry months, ask for the fur between the pads to be trimmed short when you book.

Mobile Grooming in South San Francisco

Sky Pet Grooming's van comes to homes in South San Francisco, with a full bathtub, a grooming table and professional dryers on board, so your pet is groomed right outside your door. We offer full dog grooming, cat grooming, de-shedding, detangling, nail trimming and anal gland expression. Book online any time, or call (415) 754-0813.