What are they?
#1
08-06-09, 04:47 PM
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What are they?
My indoor/outdoor cats will come inside and have anywhere from a few to several dozen little balls stuck in their fur. They are about the size of small peppercorns and are usually brown in color but some are green. They stick tightly and I need to comb them out. My Balinese had a huge number of them, I was able to comb out about two dozen before he had had enough. He is usually VERY even tempered and quiet but he was growling up a storm as they were stuck tenaciously this time and I couldn't get them all out. My shorthair also gets them but usually not to the same degree.
What are they and should I be concerned?
What are they and should I be concerned?
#2
08-06-09, 05:29 PM
Super Moderator
I don't know what they're called, but I sure know what you're talking about! 
They grow on some sort of bush and they start coming out about this time of year. My dog's always getting them in her fur, and what a pain to get out. Sometimes I have to cut off bunches of fur because they get so tangled up and are impossible to get out. 
All I can tell you is they're not dangerous or harmful, just a PITA!
They grow on some sort of bush and they start coming out about this time of year. My dog's always getting them in her fur, and what a pain to get out. Sometimes I have to cut off bunches of fur because they get so tangled up and are impossible to get out. 
All I can tell you is they're not dangerous or harmful, just a PITA!
#3
08-06-09, 05:46 PM
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Little Green Balls
They are a weed seed. Pigweed I think, but this is the time of year they come out. They have a syrup type stickum on them. After awhile it dries (several days) and the little balls or seeds drop off, this spreading the seeds. Keep on combing.
#4
08-06-09, 07:42 PM
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Should I be concerned that the cats may eat some while they are grooming themselves? Sometimes I think I have removed them all and then I'll find another (or several) that I must have missed.
#5
08-06-09, 08:18 PM
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#6
08-07-09, 12:18 AM
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Furd,
You could contact your local Master Gardener and/or your vet to ask what they are. I can't recall what they are called specificially, but we have always simply called them burr balls. Small roundish balls that have spiky type edges and catch on EVERYTHING. I don't think they are toxic to the cats/dogs, but it never hurts to check for sure.
You could contact your local Master Gardener and/or your vet to ask what they are. I can't recall what they are called specificially, but we have always simply called them burr balls. Small roundish balls that have spiky type edges and catch on EVERYTHING. I don't think they are toxic to the cats/dogs, but it never hurts to check for sure.
#7
08-07-09, 10:29 AM
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This has been going on for several years but never as bad as it has been lately. The first time it happened was also when Douglas (the Balinese) had tangled with a raccoon. When I asked the vet about the balls he said it was a seed pod and not to worry. (The raccoon actually ended up worse than Douglas but that's another story.)
Thank you all for your responses. I won't worry over these nuisances now.
Thank you all for your responses. I won't worry over these nuisances now.
#8
08-07-09, 10:33 AM
Super Moderator
furd...I have to know...why a cat named Douglas? There must be some story to it.
Its no worse than mine named Fuzzy Wuzzy Wilcox...but he was named by a 6 y/o.
Its no worse than mine named Fuzzy Wuzzy Wilcox...but he was named by a 6 y/o.
