5 Steps to Remove Burrs and Sticky Seeds From Your Dog’s Fur

As professional dog groomers, we often see dogs with burrs caught in their coats. These pesky little plants can cause a lot of irritation for dogs and can be difficult to remove. In this article, we will teach you how to safely remove burrs from your dog's coat.

Burrs and other seeds can often be found in a forested area, in bushes, and in tall grass. Burrs have hooks on the end of a seed pod or plant part that attaches to a moving host; in this case, your dog. They are typically easy to spot, as they look like small, spiky plants. If you find any burrs in your dog’s coat, we highly suggest removing them as soon as possible as they can feel prickly on your dog’s skin. They can also very quickly turn into larger mats, which will require a shave down from a professional groomer.

1. The first step is to identify the burrs. You may already notice that your dog is licking or biting the area with burrs in it. Run your hands along every part of your dog’s body. Once you've identified the burrs, you can start picking at them with your fingers. If they’re too prickly for you, you can use rubber gloves to tear them apart.

2. Once you’ve removed the majority of them by hand, now is the time to take out your handy dandy slicker brush and comb. With the brush, you will gently brush the area with short strokes. Continue to brush and you should notice the burr parts coming out and sticking to the brush.

3. If there are still some pieces left, or the burrs you are working with are particularly gnarly, you can liberally sprinkle some cornstarch over the area. Make sure to rub the cornstarch in the fur so that every strand is coated. Cornstarch will help to lubricate the surface between your dog’s fur and the burr, making it easier to brush out. Use the slicker brush to brush through again.

4. Once the fur has been brushed through, use your wide-toothed metal comb to comb through the areas you just brushed. This will ensure the smaller pieces of debris are not left behind.

5. When all are brushed and combed through, make sure to shampoo and dry your dog. Especially if you used cornstarch to remove the burrs.

By following the steps above, you should be able to remove most burrs from your dog’s coat. If the problem persists or if you have any questions, please consult your groomer. In addition to grooming at home, there are a few preventive measures you can take to reduce the amount of time spent removing burrs from your dog’s coat. First, keep your dog leashed when walking in areas with tall grass or bushes. This will help prevent him or her from picking up burrs along the way. Secondly, consider bringing them in for professional grooming on a regular basis before their fur becomes too long. A little bit of prevention goes a long way toward keeping your furry friend happy, healthy, and tangle-free!