Foxtails Are Back—Here’s How to Protect Your Pets

It’s that time of year, and we need everyone’s help.

Foxtails are grass-like weeds that thrive across San Diego. Our neighborhood is covered in them, and they’re dangerous, especially for animals. These plants sprout in the spring, looking innocent enough. But as they mature and dry, they develop sharp, barbed seeds resembling a foxtail. Their barbs can burrow into an animal’s skin easily and quickly, causing severe pain, infection, critical health issues, and even death. Foxtails are most dangerous if ingested or if they get into an animal’s nose, ears, eyes, or between their toes.

The best thing we can do is prevention by pulling these weeds in the spring as soon as they’re identifiable. The second-best thing we can do is cut them before they grow seeds, and keep cutting them. They grow quickly though. A third option is to cut them now and entirely remove as many of the seed pods as possible from the ground. Then sweep them up, and put them straight in the trash. They survive compost. You must regularly check your animals for foxtails and immediately remove them. Seek veterinarian attention if your animal is showing signs of discomfort, illness, head shaking, or breathing issues. Read more here: https://www.longmonthumane.org/foxtails/.