How To Tell If Dog Has Foxtail In Nose (Explained!)

Foxtails are small clusters of grass that are designed to organically spread seed. This is a common sight outdoors and is seen blooming during the warmer months.

While this is something humans will ignore, it can be quite enticing for the average dor. You will often notice dogs try to eat foxtails because of their unique appearance.

This is when it becomes important to learn how to tell if dog has foxtail in nose.

The best way to tell if a dog has a foxtail in its nose is by searching for any type of bleeding or discharge. This can be a sign of aggravation in the nasal cavity, which will cause the dog to sneeze. Some dogs will also wheeze, cough, retch, and/or gag with a foxtail in their nose.

It’s important to remove the foxtail from the nose before it aggravates the dog further. This is why being diligent is a must to ensure the dog doesn’t get hurt.

This article will take a look at a few signs to account for when learning how to tell if a dog has a foxtail in its nose.

Best Bed for Dogs (EDITOR’S CHOICE)

PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed, Orthopedic Memory Foam, Multiple...
  • PREMIUM COMPONENTS & BETTER HEALTH: (i) SOLID 4 inch MEMORY FOAM base for superior overall comfort, reduced joint pain...
  • SMART DESIGN: (i) Base & bolsters provide optimal support & security. (ii) Water resistant & tear resistant cover. (iii)...
  • PEACE OF MIND: (i) Certi-PUR-US Memory foam. NO mercury, lead, formaldehyde, phthalates, & ozone depleters. (ii) Low VOC...

Last update on 2023-09-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Tips On How To Tell If Dog Has Foxtail In Nose

1. Bleeding or Discharge

The main concern has to do with any type of aggravation to the nasal cavity.

This means there will be blood coming from the nose and/or any other type of fluid discharge. The discharge might even be clear as the nose is cleared out by the body.

This is a natural reaction to a foreign substance in the dog’s body. The foxtail will cause serious irritation and the dog will feel it immediately.

This is why it’s important to do a simple physical inspection of the nose when you feel that your dog has a foxtail in its nose. This physical inspection will tell you a lot about the dog’s condition and what might be the underlying issue right now.

It’s essential to consider this in great detail to make sure your dog does not get hurt.

It is best to rinse the nose with water if this is the case. Otherwise, the foxtail is going to continue to aggravate the nose leading to additional blood loss.

how to tell if dog has foxtail in nose

2. Continuous Sneezing

This is often a sign dog owners will look for.

If a dog has a foxtail in its nose, it will start sneezing. This is a common reaction because any type of irritation in the nose is going to cause the dog to sneeze.

This is something that happens with humans too.

When the foxtail is lodged inside a dog’s nose, it will cause the dog to want to sneeze. It might also itch the nasal cavity with its paw or by rubbing against things that are around it at the time.

Irritation in a dog’s nose or throat will cause it to sneee. This is why it’s a clear-cut sign something is wrong with the dog.

Both of these signs are something you should be paying attention to.

When a dog is sneezing a lot, it happens because there’s too much dust in the air or they have sniffed something they shouldn’t.

This can include a foxtail.

how to tell if dog has foxtail in nose

3. Gagging and Retching

This is a sign that you will worry about.

A foxtail that is inside a dog’s nose might cause it a lot of grief. The reason has to do with the foxtail going further than the nasal cavity and entering into the dog’s body.

When this happens, it will start retching and/or gagging loudly.

When the foxtail goes deeper into a dog’s nose, it will lead to significant signs such as gagging and/or retching.

Dogs have strong noses, so they are far more sensitive to what they are sniffing.

This is why a foxtail in a dog’s nose is not a pleasant experience for them. You will notice the dog become uncomfortable and it will start fidgeting a lot.

Related Questions

1. How Do I Know If My Dog Has A Foxtail In His Nose?

The most common signs of a foxtail being in a dog’s nose include bleeding, discharge, gagging, retching, and/or sneezing. This shows a foreign element has entered the nasal cavity causing the dog great distress. It’s best to inspect the nose when this occurs.

2. How Do You Get A Foxtail Out Of A Dog’s Nose?

To remove a foxtail out of a dog’s nose, it’s best to grab tweezers and firmly pull on the end of the foxtail. In some cases, half of the foxtail will come out leaving the rest lodged inside. In this case, it’s recommended to visit a vet for the remainder of the foxtail.

Final Thoughts

These are the best tips on how to tell if dog has foxtail in nose.

It’s essential to act fast with a foxtail in a dog’s nose. This is going to cause significant pain and discomfort depending on how far it is inside.

Get on top of this immediately.

Here’s more on dogs – using eye drops for a dog, choosing a collar for a dog, reasons for dog messing up bed, and reasons for a dog looking at you while you’re sleeping.