How to Remove Cockleburs from Your Dog's Fur
Apparently we have a cocklebur bush in our yard somewhere. There are several species of cocklebur, all in the genus Xanthium. The size and shape of the plant and burr depends on the species. Found worldwide, the most common cocklebur, Xanthium strumarium, tends to be a larger burr up to an inch in length. Whatever type we have, it has very small burrs about the size of a letter "O" in 16 point font.
Of course our little girl is a long-haired dachshund so she waddled in with cockleburs along her back, in both ears and on her neck, all already well-entangled in her long fur. I immediately grabbed the grooming comb, but realizing this was going to need a little extra help, I also got the vegetable oil and sat down to work away.
Materials needed:
Grooming comb
Vegetable oil
Cup
Dropper
Dog Shampoo
- Pour some vegetable oil in a cup and keep it near you.
- Pick off whatever burrs and twigs come off easily with your fingers.
- Take the comb and starting at the skin, pull the comb up to where the burrs are and hold it in place.
- Using the dropper, saturate the infested area with vegetable oil. Make sure it gets to the fur below the comb too.
- Continue to hold the comb under the cockleburs so that the fur remains taut.
- Use your fingers to gently pull strands of fur away from the entangled area until the burrs come off with the comb.
- Repeat the process until all burrs are removed.
Since now you are left with a burr-free but oily dog, use the dog shampoo to give him or her a nice bath. This also gives you some one-on-one time to reassure them that they are ok.
Published by Allana Calhoun
I'm a working mother who has been writing poetry and short stories since I was a child. I also do crafts and create handmade jewelry. View profile
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9 Comments
Post a CommentGlad I've never found any on my dog.
good work!
Well written and descriptive article good information nice job on this Laura Everly
Never heard of this, guess we don't have them
That used to be such a problem, in my doggy days. (Now, I'm in my cat and parrot phase.) Wish I'd had this article then.
Great article!
Thank goodness we don't have this problem! But, we recently went for a walk in the woods and my little guy's paws were covered with sap from the evergreens!!! Yuck. cheers ;)
Sounds good, sometimes I do find these pricklies on my dogs, but they usually come off pretty easily. I will keep this in mind for more serious cases! Thanks and have a great weekend! : )
Never heard of that...I'm pretty sure we don't have one either.