Foxtail grass can be harmful, and in some cases deadly, to pets. It can be found all over Edmonton, including dog parks, which has some calling for the city to take steps to manage it. Veterinarian Dr. Vicki Janes says the plant can impact your pet’s skin. “It almost acts like a quill or a porcupine quill. It has little barbs on it that get caught in the skin,” she said. “Once they’re in the skin, they can actually burrow underneath. They can cause irritation under the skin. They can cause abscesses. They can migrate. They’re very irritating and painful.” Janes says she treats a couple of dogs each summer who have inhaled or ingested one of the plants. “If they ingest or they inhale (foxtails), because of that little barb and the ability to migrate, they can end up in internal organs,” she said. “They can end up in the lungs, they can end up inside the gut, migrate through the gut and cause some major, major illnesses and potentially even fatal illnesses.” Janes says after an outing pet owners should check for any spurs in their pet’s fur, skin or pads of their feet, adding they’re usually big enough to see and can be pulled out. There are other signs to watch for, too. If the dog gets a barb in its mouth, they may drool excessively. A barb in the nose can cause sneezing or nasal discharge. And a barb in or around the feet or paws will likely cause the dog to lick the area. The city says it doesn’t use chemicals to regulate foxtail because it’s native to Alberta and thus does not count as a regulated invasive species. “The city does mow the Terwillegar park and area up to five times a year to control this weed and other weeds. The area was last mowed on July 10,” a City of Edmonton spokesperson wrote in an email to CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday. “While we understand this type of grass is harmful to pets, it exists naturally in our communities, making it difficult to remove or avoid. The city recommends that pet owners remain vigilant when walking with their dogs and monitor their outdoor activities to ensure they do not accidentally ingest the grass.” The city encourages anyone who suspects their pet has ingested foxtail to contact a veterinarian immediately.
