Walking your dog through long grass can be a lovely experience, offering a sense of adventure and allowing your pet to explore new scents and sounds. However, there are several risks to be aware of when wandering through tall vegetation in the UK. While long grass may seem harmless, it can conceal a range of dangers for both dogs and their owners. Here’s what you should watch out for:
Grass Seeds (Awns)
One of the most common and potentially dangerous hazards is grass seeds, especially during late spring and summer. These tiny, dart-shaped seeds can easily get lodged in your dog’s fur, ears, eyes, paws, or even under the skin.
Why it matters:
Grass seeds can cause serious infections and may need to be surgically removed. If your dog is shaking their head, licking their paws excessively, or showing signs of discomfort after a walk, a grass seed may be the culprit.
Prevention tip:
Check your dog thoroughly after walks, paying special attention to their paws, ears, and armpits.
Ticks
Ticks are common in long grass and woodland areas. These parasites latch onto your dog’s skin to feed on blood and can transmit diseases, including Lyme disease.
Signs to watch for:
Small dark lumps on your dog’s skin, often around the head, neck, or ears.
Prevention tip:
Use a vet-approved tick prevention treatment and inspect your dog after walks. Remove any ticks promptly with a tick removal tool.
Adders (Britain’s Only Venomous Snake)
While rare, adders can be found in heathlands and grassy areas, particularly in the south and west of England.
Risk:
Dogs can be bitten if they disturb an adder. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and lethargy. A bite requires immediate veterinary attention.
Prevention tip:
Keep your dog on a lead in areas known for adders and avoid walking through dense undergrowth during warm weather when snakes are more active.
Hidden Holes and Uneven Terrain
Long grass can obscure rabbit holes, ditches, or uneven ground, which poses a risk of injury.
Danger:
Dogs running at speed may twist a joint or fall into a hidden hole, potentially leading to sprains or fractures.
Prevention tip:
Encourage your dog to walk rather than run through unfamiliar grassy areas and stick to visible paths where possible.
Insects and Allergens
Long grass can be home to stinging insects such as wasps and bees, as well as pollen that may trigger allergies in sensitive dogs.
Watch for:
Swelling, itching, sneezing, or excessive scratching.
Prevention tip:
Rinse your dog off after walks during peak allergy seasons and speak to your vet if allergy symptoms persist. You can also support with our skin care range.
Chemical Treatments and Contaminants
In rural or agricultural areas, long grass may have been sprayed with pesticides or fertilisers, which can be harmful if ingested or absorbed through the skin.
What to avoid:
Dogs licking their paws or eating grass in treated areas.
Prevention tip:
Stick to designated footpaths and avoid walking your dog through fields without permission or signage.
Final Thoughts
Long grass can provide enrichment and excitement for your dog, but it’s important to stay vigilant. A quick post-walk check and some preventive care can go a long way in keeping your dog healthy and safe. If in doubt about anything you find on your dog after a walk, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
By staying informed and prepared, you can enjoy the great British countryside with peace of mind—tail wags and all.
What to Watch Out for When Walking Dogs in Long Grass
Walking your dog through long grass can be a lovely experience, offering a sense of adventure and allowing your pet to explore new scents and sounds. However, there are several risks to be aware of when wandering through tall vegetation in the UK. While long grass may seem harmless, it can conceal a range of dangers for both dogs and their owners. Here’s what you should watch out for:
One of the most common and potentially dangerous hazards is grass seeds, especially during late spring and summer. These tiny, dart-shaped seeds can easily get lodged in your dog’s fur, ears, eyes, paws, or even under the skin.
Why it matters:
Grass seeds can cause serious infections and may need to be surgically removed. If your dog is shaking their head, licking their paws excessively, or showing signs of discomfort after a walk, a grass seed may be the culprit.
Prevention tip:
Check your dog thoroughly after walks, paying special attention to their paws, ears, and armpits.
Ticks are common in long grass and woodland areas. These parasites latch onto your dog’s skin to feed on blood and can transmit diseases, including Lyme disease.
Signs to watch for:
Small dark lumps on your dog’s skin, often around the head, neck, or ears.
Prevention tip:
Use a vet-approved tick prevention treatment and inspect your dog after walks. Remove any ticks promptly with a tick removal tool.
While rare, adders can be found in heathlands and grassy areas, particularly in the south and west of England.
Risk:
Dogs can be bitten if they disturb an adder. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and lethargy. A bite requires immediate veterinary attention.
Prevention tip:
Keep your dog on a lead in areas known for adders and avoid walking through dense undergrowth during warm weather when snakes are more active.
Long grass can obscure rabbit holes, ditches, or uneven ground, which poses a risk of injury.
Danger:
Dogs running at speed may twist a joint or fall into a hidden hole, potentially leading to sprains or fractures.
Prevention tip:
Encourage your dog to walk rather than run through unfamiliar grassy areas and stick to visible paths where possible.
Long grass can be home to stinging insects such as wasps and bees, as well as pollen that may trigger allergies in sensitive dogs.
Watch for:
Swelling, itching, sneezing, or excessive scratching.
Prevention tip:
Rinse your dog off after walks during peak allergy seasons and speak to your vet if allergy symptoms persist. You can also support with our skin care range.
In rural or agricultural areas, long grass may have been sprayed with pesticides or fertilisers, which can be harmful if ingested or absorbed through the skin.
What to avoid:
Dogs licking their paws or eating grass in treated areas.
Prevention tip:
Stick to designated footpaths and avoid walking your dog through fields without permission or signage.
Final Thoughts
Long grass can provide enrichment and excitement for your dog, but it’s important to stay vigilant. A quick post-walk check and some preventive care can go a long way in keeping your dog healthy and safe. If in doubt about anything you find on your dog after a walk, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
By staying informed and prepared, you can enjoy the great British countryside with peace of mind—tail wags and all.