Foxtail grass is a common term for a group of invasive grasses found globally, easily identified by their brush-like seed heads. These grasses are typically annual weeds that spring up across lawns, fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas. While they often resemble small stalks of wheat, their innocuous appearance belies a significant potential for harm. Foxtail grasses, particularly when dry, are a widespread nuisance for property owners and a serious health threat to animals.
Identification and Common Varieties
The name “foxtail” describes several grass species, primarily within the genus Setaria and sometimes Hordeum, such as Foxtail Barley. The defining feature is the elongated, bristly seed head—a dense cluster of spikelets that visually resembles a fox’s tail. These grasses are typically summer annuals, germinating in the spring and producing seeds from mid-to-late summer.
The most common varieties are Yellow Foxtail (Setaria pumila), Green Foxtail (Setaria viridis), and Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi). Giant Foxtail is the tallest, growing up to five feet, and its seed head often droops with the weight of the developing seeds. Yellow Foxtail is distinguished by long, silky hairs at the base of its leaf blades, while Green Foxtail leaves are mostly hairless. The danger lies in the seed heads, which are covered with sharp, microscopic, one-way barbs.
The Threat: Specific Dangers to Pets and Livestock
The unique structure of the foxtail seed, or grass awn, is the source of its danger to animals. The seed is tapered and equipped with microscopic projections that act like a one-way ratchet. This mechanism allows the seed to easily burrow forward but prevents it from backing out, which causes severe problems when it embeds in an animal.
Common entry points are any exposed area on a pet, including the paws, ears, nose, eyes, and mouth. Symptoms vary depending on the location: repeated head shaking may indicate a seed in the ear canal, potentially causing infection or puncturing the eardrum. Persistent sneezing, pawing at the face, or a discharge can signal a seed lodged in the nasal passage. Foxtails also commonly embed between a pet’s toes, leading to swelling and abscess formation.
The seed is particularly concerning because it can migrate internally once embedded in the body. Foxtails have been known to travel from the nose into the lungs, causing abscesses, or migrate through the abdomen to the spine, leading to severe infection. Since the body cannot naturally break down the seed, any suspected exposure requires prompt veterinary attention for removal and to prevent infection.
Management and Removal Strategies
Controlling foxtail populations requires a combination of timely cultural, manual, and chemical methods. The most effective strategy is removing the plants before the seed heads dry out and break apart. Small infestations can be managed by hand-pulling the entire plant and safely disposing of the seed heads to prevent further spread.
For larger areas, cultural control focuses on maintaining a dense, healthy lawn to outcompete the foxtail. Proper fertilization, watering, and regular mowing that prevents the grass from reaching seeding height can significantly reduce its spread. Chemical control often involves pre-emergent herbicides applied in early spring to stop germination. Post-emergent herbicides are also available, with selective products designed to target the foxtail without harming surrounding turfgrass.
Pet owners should take proactive steps to prevent exposure, especially during late spring and summer when the seeds are dry and easily detached. Avoid walking pets in areas with high foxtail growth, such as overgrown fields or roadsides. A thorough inspection of a pet’s fur, paws, ears, and mouth after any outdoor activity is a highly effective prevention technique.