AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
Sweaters and pumpkins aren’t the only ones making a return in the fall. That noticeable chill in the air happens to coincide with when plants and trees are starting to shed their seeds. These prickly seeds, known as burrs or stickers, can latch on and become entangled in your dog’s fur. If left untreated, burrs can cause irritation, pain, and infection. Here’s what you need to know to get through the season and get any burrs out of dog fur.
In This Article
What Are Burrs?
Burrs are seed pods that have teeth or hooks that can grab onto hair or clothing. “They’re like the strongest Velcro you can imagine,” says Dr. Amy Attas, VMD. “Burrs typically come at the end of the growing season when plants are drying out and shedding their seeds, so they can move someplace else to germinate and grow,” she notes. When your dog runs through a hiking trail or simply brushes against an area with weeds and grass, their coat can become a magnet for burrs.
Which Breeds Are Most Likely to Get Burrs?
All dogs can get burrs, but they tend to be less of a concern for short-coated dogs like the Beagle, Bulldog, or Boxer. Burrs are more likely to get entangled in the fur of dogs with a longer coat or a dense undercoat, Dr. Attas explains. The teeth on burrs are sharp enough to make little cuts, which can irritate the skin and become infected.
Where Should You Look for Burrs?
Burrs can get stuck anywhere. Where they really cause problems is when they attach to your dog’s butt, underneath their armpit, tail, or earflap, or in between their toes, Dr. Attas says. “Those are places where dogs don’t like to be touched and now there’s something pinching into their skin, and you have to get it out,” she explains.
Spotting burrs on the feet is especially tough because of the fur and tight spaces between their toes. For instance, you might see an inflamed foot without even knowing that burrs are the culprit. If this happens to your dog, you can try soaking their paw and gently feel around for areas that are particularly sore or swollen. “Oftentimes, burrs on the feet need to be removed at the vet’s office under mild sedation because they’re very painful,” Dr. Attas says.
What Happens If Your Dog Swallows a Burr?
Another risk is that your dog might swallow or inhale them a burr. For some dogs, ingesting a burr requires veterinary intervention. For others, burrs don’t cause much of an issue. In the latter case, your dog might simply have successfully swallowed the burr. The contents of their stomach may form a coating around the sharpness of the burr, allowing it to pass naturally.
If you see your dog swallow a burr, make sure they’re eating and drinking normally. Signs of trouble include coughing, difficulty breathing, or excessive drooling. There’s no need to intervene unless your dog is having trouble eating or eliminating.
What Do You Need to Remove Burrs?
If you live in an environment where burrs are abundant or if your dog has gotten them before, Dr. Attas recommends having a toolkit on hand to safely remove burrs. Here are the supplies you’ll need:
- Gloves to protect your hands
- Wide-toothed metal comb
- Pliers
- Dog treats
- Cooking spray
- Dog clippers
If possible, it’s a good idea to have someone assisting you. A helper can have a secure hold on your dog. That keeps your dog still and it “is also comforting for them to be held like that,” Dr. Attas adds. You also want to have delicious dog treats on hand as a reward for remaining calm.
How Do You Remove Burrs?
Once you have your gloves on, see which burrs look the least entangled and start with those. If you see a large burr, Dr. Attas recommends using pliers to crush it and get the smaller pieces out first. Then, try to gently tease the fur away from the burr. Be sure to keep your hand between the skin and the burr, so it can’t fall over and get reattached.
If your dog has a very dense coat, you can spray some cooking oil on their fur. This will act as a lubricant to help you separate the hair from the burr. Cooking spray can be a good option because once you’ve removed the burr, your dog will want to lick everything. It’s better if they ingest a little canola oil rather than a product that’s full of chemicals. As you’re pulling out pieces of burr, you can use the wide-toothed comb to get between the skin and fur. Gently comb out small bits at a time. Similar to when you detangle your own hair, comb away from the root to avoid pulling at your dog’s skin.
If you can’t get a comb between their skin and the burr, “don’t reach for the scissors because it is so easy to cut their skin,” Dr. Attas emphasizes. “The only time you can use scissors for cutting your dog’s fur is when you can see light between the skin and the part you want to cut out.” Instead of scissors, it’s better to use dog clippers to protect their skin from being cut. Since dogs can be sensitive to sound and vibrations, start by turning on the shaver and speaking to your dog in a soothing voice. Reassure your dog there’s nothing to worry about and reward them with a treat.
Next, with the shaver on, place the end without the blade on different parts of your dog’s body, so they can get used to the vibrations. Keep speaking to them calmly and giving them treats. As you get closer to the area where you need to work, shave off a little bit of fur at a time. Depending on how close the burr is to the skin, you might be able to leave behind a layer of fur. But you might need to shave the area like a surgical shave. If you have any concerns about removing burrs at home, you can make an appointment with your veterinarian or groomer.
How Do You Prevent Your Dog from Getting Burrs?
Some hunters will use leave-in conditioner or detangler to protect their dog’s coat and cut down on burrs. “The best thing you can do is keep your dog well-brushed and well-groomed, especially when you come in from a walk in a wooded area,” Dr. Attas explains. It’s unlikely for burrs to make their way to the skin if your dog is well-groomed.
Problems with burrs are more common in dogs with matted hair or if they try to scratch burrs out themselves. “If you do a good job of grooming on a daily basis, dogs are less likely to have trouble with burrs,” Dr. Attas says. “They’ll still get them, but they won’t be a big deal.”
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.