Grooming and coat
How do I get burrs and grass seeds out of my dog's fur?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Work each burr loose with your fingers first, pulling apart its outer edge before trying to comb it out whole, since combing a tight burr directly often just tears more hair. Grass seeds are more urgent to remove, especially between the toes, since their pointed shape lets them work into the skin.
Handling burrs without more tangling
Squeezing a burr gently to loosen its outer spikes, then pulling it apart into two or three smaller pieces with your fingers before combing, removes it with far less hair loss than trying to drag a full sized burr through the coat in one motion, which usually tightens rather than loosens it.
Why grass seeds need faster attention
Grass seeds, sometimes called foxtails in some regions, have a barbed, one directional shape that lets them migrate into the skin, particularly between the toes, in the ears, or around the eyes, rather than staying on the surface the way a burr does. Checking paws and coat after every walk through long grass during seed season catches them before they burrow in.
When to get help
A grass seed that has visibly worked into the skin, or a paw a dog is suddenly licking or limping on after a walk in long grass, needs a vet visit rather than home removal, since seeds that have gone below the surface can migrate further and cause infection if left.
Key takeaways
- Loosening a burr's outer spikes with your fingers before combing prevents unnecessary hair loss.
- Grass seeds can burrow into the skin, especially between the toes, and need faster removal than burrs.
- A seed that has already worked under the skin needs a vet visit rather than attempted home removal.