Here's what foxtails look like up close. If the foxtails are green, you don't need to be concerned. But soon, they will dry out and can cause problems for your dog.

When foxtails dry out, they look like these. These are the seeds that will travel places and make more foxtails grow.

But when they are dry, they become stiff and very sharp. They can get caught between your dog's toes or get stuck in their fur and skin. They also can get into your dog's ear or travel up his nose.

If this happens, you may need to see a veterinarian to help get the foxtail out.

The best way to protect your dog is to watch for foxtails when you go for walks around weeds. Stay away from them if you can.

Next, give your dog a good check-up after your walk by looking for anything that may be stuck in his fur or skin.

Here are some signs that your dog may have a foxtail caught somewhere:

Continuous sneezing,
Pawing at nose, ears, or eyes,
Bleeding from nostril,
Tilting and shaking head,
Can't open eye all the way,
Eye is tearing,
Gagging,
Whining or crying.

So take good care of your dog, and
have a great summer!