The common weed that can kill your cat or dog
Animal charity PETA has warned pet owners about the dangers of foxtail, a common weed found across the UK.
The arrow-shaped grass spikelets are harmless to humans and are often found stuck to your socks after a long walk, but can lodge themselves in animals' skin, feet, nose, mouth or genitals.
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According to PETA, foxtails migrate and when they burrow into a dog or cat's body, they can reach the brain or internal organs causing pain, infection, perforated lungs and even death.
Long-haired dogs are at a higher risk of foxtail attacks and short-haired dogs with open, upright ears are also vulnerable.
Dog owner Lisa Lange, who lives in the USA where foxtail is also common, told PETA that her dog Lily was left in pain after nine foxtails lodged in her ear canals following a hike in California.
Lily's ears became infected and after the foxtails were removed, she needed a three-week course of antibiotics.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Mimi Bekhechi, director at PETA UK, said: "Guardians can protect their animal companions by keeping them away from overgrown, scrubby areas and sticking to roads and wooded areas, as opposed to meadows, where foxtail grasses grow, when out for a walk."
Pet owners can carefully remove foxtails using tweezers but if they are found lodged in the skin you should call your vet immediately.
