If you’ve walked your dog through a park lately, you’ve probably met the culprit: Onehunga weed. You know the one… the annoying brown prickle we all remember from our childhood. At this time of year, it’s the soft, pale-green lawn weed that seems harmless, until summer proper arrives and the plant drops hundreds of tiny, barbed prickles.
This year, those prickles will be everywhere, and will likely cause more issues for dogs than usual.
Here’s what every dog owner needs to know...
What is Onehunga Weed?
Onehunga weed (Soliva sessilis) is a low-growing lawn weed found throughout New Zealand, especially in Auckland’s coastal and urban parks. It forms light-green rosettes that blend into grass. But when it dries out, it produces small, hard, needle-like seeds that stick into anything touching them.
Most of us know them simply as lawn prickles.
Why Onehunga Weed is a problem for dogs
The weed isn’t toxic. The problem is entirely mechanical: those sharp, barbed seeds.
1. Paw Injuries
The most common issue. Dogs step on the prickles, and they wedge between the pads or get embedded in soft tissue.
Typical signs:
- Sudden limping or refusing to walk
- Inspecting or licking one paw
- Yelping when the paw is touched
- Redness between the toes
Left in place, a prickle can cause local inflammation or even a small infection.
2. Fur and Skin Irritation
Fluffy breeds (Cavoodles, Spaniels, Retrievers etc) are magnets for these prickles.
They get stuck in:
- Armpits
- Legs
- Underbelly
- Tail fur
This leads to scratching, chewing, and sometimes minor skin infections.
3. Mouth and Face Problems
Dogs sniff, chew grass, or clean their paws — and prickles can end up in the:
- Lips
- Gumline
- Tongue
This is painful and often results in drooling, pawing at the face, or avoiding eating.
Why Onehunga Weed seems worse this year
Auckland’s climate patterns over the past 12 months have been perfect for a weed explosion and tough on lawns. If you’ve visited a dog park (particularly in Auckland) recently, you’ll most likely have encountered mass coverings of Onehunga Weed.
1. A dry summer stressed lawns
Earlier dry periods weakened turfgrass, creating bare patches. Weeds love bare soil. It’s the perfect real estate.
2. A very wet autumn and winter supercharged growth
April to July in many parts of New Zealand saw significantly above-normal rainfall. Moist soil helps Onehunga weed germinate and survive through the colder months instead of dying back.
3. A larger seed bank from previous seasons
Once Onehunga weed becomes established, it leaves behind thousands of tiny seeds in the soil. When conditions are favourable the following year, the weed comes back stronger.
This year, all three factors lined up, meaning more seedlings, more prickles, and more dogs encountering them.
How to protect your dog
You can’t completely avoid Onehunga weed in summer, but you can reduce the risk.
1. Choose your walking spots carefully
Avoid:
- Dry, brown patches of lawn
- Edges of sports fields
- Rough grass around car parks or paths
The lighter the grass and the patchier the turf, the higher the risk.
2. Do a quick paw check after walks
A 20-second routine helps:
- Lift each paw
- Spread the toes gently
- Look for small, brown, sharp seeds
- Run your hand lightly down the legs and chest
Remove prickles with your fingers or tweezers. If it’s deep, leave it for a vet.
3. Keep paw fur trimmed
Long fur traps prickles. A light tidy around the pads reduces how many latch on.
4. Maintain your lawn if you’re dealing with it at home
A strong lawn suppresses weeds:
- Regular mowing
- Overseeding bare patches
- Watering during dry spells
- Removing weeds before they set seed
Final thoughts
Onehunga weed is an annual summer nuisance. But this year Auckland’s weather has created ideal conditions for a much bigger crop of prickles. The weed isn’t dangerous in the toxic sense, but the physical injuries are real and painful for dogs.
A bit of awareness, quick post-walk checks, and some simple prevention steps can save your dog a lot of discomfort.
If you’re seeing repeated paw irritation or your dog is reacting to certain grasses or foods, our Complete Intolerance Screening test can help you understand what’s contributing to their symptoms and get a personalised, vet-reviewed wellness plan.
