Take your dog to vet if you spot key warning sign after walk

Dog owners should be careful of this dangerous plant when walking their pets.

If you have a dog, you’ll be aware that there are certain things out there that are toxic to your furry companion. Some foods such as chocolate, grapes, onions, avocado, and macadamia nuts are all dangerous for your dog, while it’s also well known that you shouldn’t use some pesticides in your garden as they could be harmful if ingested.

But did you know that there are some dangerous things your dog could come into contact with while out on a walk? It might seem like letting your pet roam free is a great source of exercise, but it can spell disaster if they find a plant they shouldn’t touch.

Spotting the warning signs of some of these toxic plants can be vital in making sure your dog remains healthy, as catching them early and taking action could prevent a trip to the vet.

One plant that is highly dangerous to dogs is meadow foxtail, which you might have also heard referred to as flea darts, darts, or grass seeds. According to the Woodland Trust, the plant is easiest to identify between April and June, but they grow all year round – meaning they can still pose a problem even in winter.

Foxtail is comprised of a long, tube-shaped, spikey head – and it’s this part of the weed that is most dangerous to dogs. The spikes are actually incredibly sharp, and according to Pets 4 Homes, they can pierce a dog’s skin and become embedded, causing irritation.

What’s more dangerous, however, is that foxtails can even end up lodged in your dog’s nostril when they’re sniffing around. This can be hugely distressing for your pooch and potentially painful. Foxtails in your dog’s nose are also harder to spot – but there is one sign you can look out for.

In a video shared on TikTok, one dog owner revealed that if you take your dog for a walk and they start sneezing, they might be trying to get a foxtail out of their nose.

The account, dedicated to showing clips of two corgis named Brady and Graffiti, shared a video in which one of the dogs was repeatedly sneezing while out on a walk, making their owner stop to check on them.

Text on the video read: “This is a sign your dog may have a foxtail stuck in his snooter. Foxtails are dangerous because they have sharp barbs that can get embedded into tissue and can migrate to vital organs.”

Alongside sneezing, your dog may also experience nasal discharge, lethargy, a fever, or swelling. You may also notice them shaking their head to try and dislodge the plant or pawing at their head. The TikTok account urged anyone who suspects their dog may have a foxtail stuck in their nose to visit a vet immediately to have it removed.

In the caption, they wrote: “Yesterday we had a scary moment when Brady started sneezing uncontrollably during our walk. Though it resolved itself, I later learned this could be a warning sign of foxtails stuck in dogs’ noses – a dangerous situation that can cause major issues if not handled properly.”

According to Pets 4 Homes, foxtails can also become lodged in your dog’s paws, or even their ear canals. The website recommends checking your dog thoroughly for any foxtails on their coat, and if they display any symptoms of discomfort, take them to see a vet immediately.

Commenters on the TikTok video thanked the account for sharing the helpful information. Many also shared their own horror stories of similar experiences with their own dogs.

One person said: “Thank you for bringing awareness to this! My mum’s dog had one go into his lower leg, and we had never noticed until a few days later when he got his hair cut. His groomer pointed it out, and when we took him to the vet they said that it was very close to a vein and had to be put into emergency surgery.”

Another added: “My dog got some stuck in her ears and she had to have an operation but luckily she’s okay now. I hope your dog is okay, too.”