After a walk or run in the field, some dogs end up with burrs in their fur. Such burrs can be tiny and in large quantities or large and in smaller quantities. Regardless of size, they can be difficult to remove and removal can be painful for dogs. It is important to learn the correct way to remove them to avoid hurting the animal.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding burrs
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with what a burr looks like
Butterbur is a seed with hooks or teeth. Such hooks or teeth attach to the animal's fur so that the seed can proliferate in other environments. Burrs come in various shapes and sizes, but generally speaking, they are seeds that attach themselves to the fur of animals.
The edges of plants are similar to burr, but they are shaped like bristles and are similar to a fishing hook. Both edges and burrs can get caught in an animal's fur and their removal process is the same. However, in the case of the edges, the seeds can reach the animal's skin, causing pain, infection and, in extreme cases, being fatal
Step 2. Look for burrs on the dog's body
Both the edges and burrs can become attached to any part of the animal's body. If the dog passes through an area with weeds, grass or wood, examine the following areas on his body:
- Ears.
- Nose.
- Eyes.
- Armpits.
- Under the tail.
- Between fingers and foot pads.
Step 3. Be particularly careful during growing seasons
During such periods, burrs and burrs appear in greater quantities as the plants dry out and begin to produce seeds. At this time of year, it is recommended to comb the dog daily to eliminate burrs.
Part 2 of 3: Removing burrs
Step 1. Remove visible burrs
Use your fingers to remove any burrs or visible edges on the surface of the animal's fur. Be careful and keep in mind that the dog may not like it when you pull his fur.
- Try to untangle the fur with your fingers to remove burrs.
- You may need to wear gloves to avoid getting pierced during the process, especially if burrs are hard and pointed.
Step 2. Comb the dog
Use a wide-tooth metal dog comb or hair fork. Run the comb under any visible burrs and gently pull to remove them. This method is efficient for eliminating loose or isolated burrs/cuts.
If the burr is securely attached, start at the end of the knot and continue penetrating
Step 3. Dismantle burrs that are difficult to remove
You can use pliers to break the burr into smaller pieces. It will be easier to remove after this process.
Be careful not to hurt your fingers or the dog's skin with the pliers
Step 4. Cut burrs that are difficult to remove
Sometimes, especially in the case of long-haired dogs with lots of knots, it will be necessary to shave or cut the burr areas. This must be done carefully as the hot machine can burn the animal's skin and scissors can cut it.
- A good way to make the cut is to insert a comb under the knot, passing scissors or machine over the comb. This will serve to protect the animal's skin.
- If you don't feel confident about trimming the animal's fur, take it to a groomer. The professional will know how to cut the dog's hair without hurting it.
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding burrs
Step 1. Keep the dog away from weedy areas and tall grass
When walking your dog, keep him on a leash to prevent him from running into areas with weeds and burrs. This is particularly important at the end of growing seasons, as at that time the seeds are about to fall off the plants.
Step 2. Take care to prevent the dog from inhaling sharp edges or burrs
The edges that can enter the dog's nose or mouth are the most dangerous. Like hairs, they can be inhaled or swallowed while breathing, possibly attaching to the animal's respiratory or gastrointestinal tissue, which can cause serious health problems and even be fatal.
- There are screens that can be attached to the animal's collar to protect its face from sharp edges and burrs.
- If you suspect the animal has inhaled sharp edges, contact your veterinarian immediately. It is important that it be examined by a professional. It is almost impossible to find internal edges through common resources (ultrasound or X-rays), so this type of problem is difficult to diagnose and treat. The only symptoms are salivation with foam and the general deterioration of health.
Step 3. Protect your dog
Some pet stores sell clothing that protects the dog's body from sharp edges and burrs. If it is impossible to keep the dog away from areas with high vegetation and weeds (for example, in the case of hunting dogs), it may be a good idea to invest in protective equipment.