Reduce the risk of grass seeds to your dog

Grass seeds can embed in a dog’s paw, travel through the body and cause serious complications resulting in expensive surgery. Gundog vet Vicky Payne explains how to minimise the risk

Q: My dog got a grass seed in her paw this summer, which my vet removed under sedation. This bill was over £200 and while I didn't mind paying at all and feel lucky the seed hadn't travelled further, is there anything I can do to reduce the risk to my dog (and my wallet!)?

VICKY PAYNE replies: I recommend trimming the hair between the toes and the pads short for the summer to reduce the number of grass seeds that stick there. Avoid training or walking where there are fox tail grasses and check the feet thoroughly after every walk.