Keeping safe with your pet while enjoying the great outdoors.
Southern California is a hiker’s paradise, and for many pet owners in Irvine, it’s also a weekend ritual. But some of the most scenic trails in the area are hiding real risks for your dog.
At BluePearl Irvine, we see a sharp increase in emergency visits every spring and summer related to two seemingly harmless plants: Foxtails and wild mushrooms. Both are more dangerous than they look – and both can lead to serious illness or emergency surgery.
Here’s how to recognize them, avoid them, and act fast if your dog gets exposed.
What are foxtails – and why are they so dangerous?
Foxtails are the barbed seed heads of certain grasses. They look harmless but can burrow into your dog’s skin, ears, nose, eyes, and paws and keep migrating deeper into tissue.
Found along:
- Shady Canyon Trail
- Bommer Canyon
- Many neighborhood paths
Symptoms of foxtail exposure:
- Head shaking or paw licking
- Red, swollen areas between toes
- Squinting or discharge from the eyes
- Persistent sneezing
Foxtails can cause abscesses, infections, and even reach internal organs if untreated.
Prevention tips for Irvine dog owners.
- Avoid tall grass and off-trail areas
- Use trail-safe booties
- Check your dog’s body after every walk
- Don’t let pets eat or sniff unknown plants
- Remove mushrooms from your yard promptly
Keeping your dog safe from foxtails and toxic mushrooms in Irvine – FAQ.
Foxtails are the pointed seed heads of certain grasses that grow along many trails in Irvine. They’re shaped like tiny arrows, allowing them to embed and travel through a dog’s body, often unnoticed until infection or serious damage occurs. They can lodge in the ears, nose, paws, or under the skin — and continue moving inward if not removed.
Foxtails thrive in dry, grassy areas, especially during late spring and summer. In Irvine, they’re commonly spotted along:
- Shady Canyon Trail
- Bommer Canyon
- Sidewalks and open spaces near homes
Look for signs like:
- Constant paw licking or limping
- Sneezing fits or nasal discharge
- Swollen or red areas between toes
- Head shaking or scratching at the ears
- Squinting or eye discharge
Even one of these signs can indicate a foxtail has gotten lodged somewhere sensitive.
Yes. Some mushrooms growing in Irvine’s yards and parks can be extremely toxic. Dogs may be drawn to them by scent, but ingestion can cause anything from stomach upset to fatal liver damage. Since it’s difficult to distinguish safe from poisonous mushrooms, it's best to treat all wild fungi as dangerous.
Watch for:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Confusion or tremors
- Seizures
- Signs of jaundice (yellow gums or eyes)
These may develop rapidly or take hours to appear. Either way, fast action is critical.
Bring your dog to BluePearl Irvine right away. Depending on the situation, we may:
- Sedate your pet to safely extract the foxtail
- Use imaging to locate internal migration
- Begin IV fluids, medications, or monitoring for toxic effects
Delaying care can lead to more invasive procedures or life-threatening complications.
A few smart habits can go a long way:
- Avoid tall grasses and unmaintained trail edges
- Use dog boots on hikes
- Do a full body check after walks, especially paws, ears, nose, and belly
- Remove any mushrooms you find in your yard
- Keep dogs leashed and discourage sniffing unknown plants
Yes, we’re open 24/7 for urgent situations like foxtail removals, toxic ingestions, and related injuries. We treat these types of emergencies regularly, especially during the warmer months.
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