Foxtail season is here and dog-owning Fremontsters and veterinarians are ringing the alarm bells.
Seattle Veterinary Associates put out a warning this week: every year between June and August, veterinarians see dogs come in with barbed grass seeds – commonly called “foxtails” – embedded in their feet, ears, and even under their eyelids. Some require surgery to remove them.
Fremont Neighbor has heard from readers who are frustrated by the patches sprouting in parking strips throughout the neighborhood, and worried about what that means for their dogs.
Reader Marina Nitze put it plainly, “It makes walking dogs in the neighborhood treacherous.”
What are foxtails?
“Foxtail” is a common umbrella name for several species of grasses with bristly, barbed seed heads. According to King County’s Noxious Weed Control Program, the seeds are arrowhead-shaped with a sharp tip that easily punctures skin, velcro-like barbs that pull the seed deeper with movement, and a flared base that makes them difficult to dislodge. They do not dissolve once inside the body. King County shared this video that demonstrates how easily the barb punctures the skin.
They tend to grow in dry, sunny spots: along sidewalks and in untended parking strips. Seeds spread via people and pets, often without anyone realizing it.
Seattle Veterinary Associates said dogs are especially vulnerable because of their curious noses and unprotected paws and ears. Symptoms to watch for include limping, licking at the feet, continuous sneezing, violent head shaking, discharge, swelling, or sores. SVA recommends checking your dog’s feet after every walk, trimming foot hair on curly or shaggy breeds, and calling your vet if you suspect a seed has embedded.
Are foxtails regulated?
Not yet, in most cases. King County’s Noxious Weed Control Program notes that only three grass species in the foxtail family are currently on the official Washington State Noxious Weed List, and none are among the species most commonly implicated in pet injuries. The listing process requires extensive research. King County is actively tracking foxtail observations through an iNaturalist project covering 49 species across the Pacific Northwest. If you spot foxtails in your neighborhood, posting photos on iNaturalist helps build the data needed to move species through the listing process.
What can you do right now?
If you’re seeing brown, dried-out foxtail plants in your neighborhood, don’t assume the threat has passed. The seeds harden as they dry, making them more likely to penetrate skin. This is when they’re most dangerous to dogs.
King County’s weed program recommends the following:
- Dig out plants by the root when possible — wear gloves
- Bag them in the garbage (not yard waste or compost, where seeds may survive)
- Plan for follow-up in about six months as new plants emerge
- Fill the bare spot with mulch or reseed so new weeds don’t move in
A word of caution on removal at this stage: King County’s weed program notes that mowing or line-trimming plants that are already seeding can scatter seeds and actually increase the risk to pets. If plants are dried and seeding, hand removal is the better approach. Wear gloves and long sleeves – the barbs will grab skin and clothing – and work carefully rather than yanking.
Under Seattle Municipal Code Title 15.72, property owners are responsible for maintaining the public right-of-way adjacent to their property, including the sidewalk and planting strip. That means even though the strip technically belongs to the city, the maintenance obligation falls on the abutting property owner.
- For parking strips you don’t own, King County suggests talking to the property owner directly (and assuming they are unaware of the problem).
- For townhouses or buildings with no obvious contact, the King County Parcel Viewer can help identify who manages a given property.
- For foxtails on city-owned property, like parks and vacant lots, residents can report it through Seattle’s Find It, Fix It app using the “Overgrown Vegetation” category. You can also call the city’s Customer Service Bureau at 206-684-CITY (2489).
What about community action?
Readers across Fremont and Wallingford are already organizing: coordinating informal weed-pulling meetups, sharing equipment, and leaving informational flyers at addresses with heavy infestations. If you’re interested in connecting with neighbors on this, local Facebook groups and Nextdoor are active threads right now.
King County has also published a printable flyer that you can post near affected areas or share with neighbors and your vet.
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