Every year between May and November, a hidden danger lurks in the dry grass along trails, parks, and even backyard edges throughout Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, and the rest of the Conejo Valley. Foxtail grass — those innocent-looking, barbed seed heads that dry out and scatter across the landscape — is responsible for more emergency vet visits in Southern California than almost any other plant-related hazard.
After nearly 20 years of mobile grooming between Malibu and Thousand Oaks, we have pulled more foxtails from dogs' coats, ears, and paw pads than we can count. We have also seen what happens when foxtails go undetected — and it is not something any pet owner wants to experience. This guide covers everything you need to know to protect your dog during foxtail season in Southern California.
What Are Foxtails and Why Are They So Dangerous?
Foxtails are the dried seed heads of certain wild grasses, primarily Hordeum murinum (foxtail barley) and Bromus species, that are native to California and grow abundantly throughout the Conejo Valley. When the grass dries out in late spring, the seed heads detach and scatter — landing on trail edges, open fields, sidewalk cracks, and anywhere else grass grows.
What makes foxtails uniquely dangerous is their barbed structure. Each seed is shaped like a tiny arrowhead with backward-pointing barbs, designed by nature to burrow into the soil. But when they attach to your dog's fur, those same barbs allow the seed to move in only one direction: deeper. A foxtail cannot back out on its own. Once it penetrates the skin, it will continue to migrate through tissue, potentially reaching internal organs.
Where Foxtails Enter Your Dog's Body
Foxtail Entry Points: Where to Check Your Dog
Paws & Between Toes
Most common entry point. Foxtails slip between the toes and burrow into the soft skin. Signs: limping, obsessive licking of one paw, swelling or a small red bump between toes.
Ears
Second most common. Foxtails fall into the ear canal, especially in floppy-eared breeds. Signs: sudden head shaking, tilting head to one side, pawing at the ear, whimpering.
Nose
Inhaled while sniffing grass. Signs: sudden, violent, repeated sneezing — often with blood or discharge from one nostril. This is a veterinary emergency.
Eyes
Can scratch the cornea or lodge behind the eyelid. Signs: squinting, excessive tearing, redness, pawing at the eye. Seek vet care immediately to prevent permanent damage.
Skin & Undercoat
Anywhere fur is thick. Foxtails can penetrate the skin through the coat, especially in the armpits, groin, and belly. Signs: a small red bump that becomes an abscess, draining wound that does not heal.
Genitals
Often overlooked. Foxtails can enter the urethra or vulva. Signs: frequent urination attempts, blood in urine, excessive licking of the genital area.
Foxtail Season Timeline in the Conejo Valley
| Month | Risk Level | What Is Happening |
|---|---|---|
| January – February | Low | Grasses are green and growing. Foxtails have not yet formed seed heads. |
| March – April | Rising | Seed heads begin forming as grasses mature. Early foxtails appear in warm, dry areas of Calabasas and inland Thousand Oaks. |
| May – June | HIGH | Peak danger. Grasses dry out rapidly. Foxtails detach and scatter across trails, parks, and yards throughout the Conejo Valley. |
| July – September | HIGH | Foxtails are everywhere — on trails, sidewalks, dog parks, and backyards. Highest volume of foxtail-related vet visits in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. |
| October – November | Moderate | Risk decreases as foxtails break down, but dried seeds remain on the ground. Still check your dog after walks. |
| December | Low | Winter rains wash away remaining seeds and new green grass begins to grow. |
Client story: One of our regular clients in Thousand Oaks — a family with two Golden Retrievers — called us in a panic last July. Their younger dog, Sunny, had been licking her front paw nonstop for two days, and they noticed a small, angry-looking bump between her toes. They had been walking her on the trails behind their neighborhood near Wildwood Park all week. We told them to get to the vet right away. Sure enough, it was a foxtail that had burrowed about half an inch into the tissue between her toes. The vet removed it, prescribed antibiotics, and Sunny was fine — but the family told us it was a $400 vet bill they never expected. Now they book a groom with us every two weeks during foxtail season, and we always trim the fur between the toes short and do a full foxtail check.
How to Protect Your Dog During Foxtail Season
Before Going Outside
- Keep paw fur trimmed short. Long fur between the toes acts like a net that catches foxtails. We trim this area at every grooming appointment — ask us to keep it extra short during foxtail season.
- Consider a shorter overall cut. For breeds with longer coats — Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Australian Shepherds, and Spaniels — a shorter summer cut reduces the surface area where foxtails can attach. Many of our clients in Westlake Village and Calabasas request a "foxtail season trim" starting in May.
- Avoid tall, dry grass. Stick to paved paths, mowed areas, and well-maintained trails when possible. If you are hiking, stay on the trail and keep your dog on leash.
- Try protective gear. Dog boots can protect paws, and lightweight mesh vests can reduce foxtail attachment to the body. Snoods (head coverings) can protect floppy ears on the trail.
After Every Walk or Hike
- Do a full body check. Run your hands over your dog's entire body. Spread the toes apart and look between each one. Check inside both ears. Look around the eyes, nose, armpits, groin, and belly.
- Remove surface foxtails immediately. If you see a foxtail on the surface of the fur, carefully pull it out with tweezers, pulling in the direction of the barbs (away from the skin).
- Do NOT attempt to remove embedded foxtails. If a foxtail has already penetrated the skin, do not try to pull it out — you may break it off, leaving the barbed tip inside. See your vet.
- Brush thoroughly. A good brushing after every outdoor session helps dislodge foxtails before they can work their way to the skin.
Maintain Your Yard
- Mow regularly. Keep grass in your yard cut short, especially along fence lines and property edges where wild grasses tend to grow.
- Remove foxtail grass. If you see foxtail grass growing in your yard, pull it out before it goes to seed. Many homeowners in Oak Park, Newbury Park, and Agoura Hills deal with foxtail grass encroaching from adjacent open spaces.
When to See the Vet — Warning Signs
Seek Veterinary Care Immediately If Your Dog Shows:
- Sudden, violent sneezing — especially if it starts during or right after a walk (likely a nasal foxtail)
- Head shaking or tilting — persistent head shaking after being outdoors (likely an ear foxtail)
- Limping or obsessive paw licking — focused on one specific paw (likely a paw foxtail)
- Squinting or eye discharge — one eye suddenly red, watery, or partially closed (likely an eye foxtail)
- A bump that becomes an abscess — a small lump that grows, becomes red, and starts draining (embedded foxtail migrating through tissue)
- Lethargy or loss of appetite — in rare cases, a migrating foxtail can reach internal organs, causing systemic illness
How Professional Grooming Helps During Foxtail Season
Regular professional grooming is one of the best defenses against foxtails. During every grooming appointment, we perform a thorough inspection of your dog's entire body — including the areas that are hardest for owners to check at home, like deep inside the ear canal, between the toes, and in the dense undercoat of double-coated breeds.
Here is what we do during foxtail season at every Cuddles N Suds grooming appointment:
| Grooming Step | How It Protects Against Foxtails |
|---|---|
| Paw pad & toe trim | Removes excess fur between toes where foxtails get trapped |
| Full body brush-out | Dislodges surface foxtails before they can penetrate the skin |
| Ear cleaning & inspection | Detects foxtails in the ear canal early, before they cause infection |
| Sanitary trim | Keeps fur short in the groin and belly area where foxtails can enter |
| Full body inspection | Professional eyes and hands check every inch — we catch things owners miss |
| Summer trim / shorter cut | Reduces coat length so foxtails have less to grab onto |
We recommend grooming every 3 to 4 weeks during foxtail season (May through October) for dogs that spend time outdoors. For active hiking dogs in Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, and Malibu, a post-hike groom is the gold standard for foxtail prevention.
Protect your dog this foxtail season. Book a grooming appointment online or call us at (805) 409-7189. We serve the entire area from Malibu to Thousand Oaks, including Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park, Newbury Park, Moorpark, and Camarillo.