Have you noticed that your dog is scratching or sneezing more often? These subtle changes can indicate seasonal allergies, which are common in dogs. Just like humans, pups can react to environmental triggers and experience allergy symptoms, especially when the seasons change, making it important to understand what is causing the reaction and how to manage it.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
RECOGNIZING SEASONAL ALLERGIES IN DOGS
There are common allergy symptoms in dogs that you might expect, such as itching, sneezing, and irritated skin (aka “hot spots”). However, allergies can manifest in less obvious ways, such as:
- Paw licking: You might notice your pup licking their paws more frequently, especially after spending time outdoors where environmental triggers can cause irritation.
- Staining around eyes: Due to excessive watery, runny eyes, you may notice the fur around their eyes darken from iron containing molecules.
- Hair loss: You could find thinning patches of fur if your dog has been excessively scratching or chewing on their fur to relieve the itchiness.
- Head shaking: Allergies can cause inflammation in the inner ear, so they may shake their head to try to ease the discomfort.
- Gastrointestinal changes: Some allergies can manifest as gas, vomiting, and soft stools.
- Behavioral changes: You may find your dog is more restless or they need to rub their face or tummy against furniture or the carpet to relieve itching.
WHY YOUR DOG MIGHT EXPERIENCE ALLERGIES IN THE SPRING
After the colder days of winter, spring can bring longer walks and more time playing outside, but it also means dogs can come in direct contact with allergens like grass, pollen, dust, and more.
Allergens can grab onto your pup’s fur since they’re so close to the ground where pollen (and other allergens) fall, which can be carried indoors and settle into furniture, bedding, and carpets. That means the trigger is no longer just an outside possibility but an indoor one as well, which could explain any ongoing symptoms your pup experiences.
Springtime is also synonymous with blooming flowers and damp conditions, which are breeding grounds for pollen and mold, both common allergens for dogs. Spending more time in these conditions, even if it’s just walking on grass, can bring on allergies.
WAYS YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR DOG’S SEASONAL ALLERGIES
One of the first steps is to identify what your dog is allergic to. If you find symptoms start to develop each time they spend time outdoors, you can likely assume there’s an environmental trigger causing it. However, it is always best to check in with your vet and see if an allergy test can help you narrow down what’s causing the allergy symptoms.
Some steps you can implement to help prevent or dissipate allergy symptoms include:
- After-walk wipe downs: Regularly wipe down your pup’s belly, paws, and legs (all close to the ground and exposed to possible allergens). Check out Dogtopia’s Keto-Dog Wipes that offer therapeutic relief and can be used for antiseptic cleansing.
- Washing their bedding regularly: If you think about where your dog spends a lot of their time, it’s in their bed at night. Allergens trapped in their fur may have found their way into the fibers of their bedding, which can start the cycle of symptoms all over again each night. It is recommended that you wash their bed and blankets at least once a week.
- Changing when you take your daily walks: Pollen count often reaches its peak by early afternoon, so if your schedule allows, try changing your walk times to a time of day where pollen count is low, such as in the early morning or early evening and avoid walking on windy days.
- Maintaining a bath routine: Following a consistent bathing schedule and using products that can help soothe their skin, like Dogtopia’s Aloe & Oatmeal Soothing Dog Shampoo, can help remove allergens trapped in their fur and offer some relief to itchy, uncomfortable symptoms.
- Checking your dog’s skin for hot spots: Acute moist dermatitis (aka hot spots) can be an underlying symptom of allergies and come up as red, painful areas on your dog’s skin. Regularly checking your dog’s face, neck, ears, and hips can help you stay on top of any irritation and better manage any symptoms they may be experiencing.
- Add Omega-3 fatty acids: If given the all-clear by your vet, adding Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA) can help repair your pup’s skin barrier and reduce itching and inflammation.
- Cleaning their ears: Allergies can eventually lead to ear infections, so using dog-specific ear products can help keep yeast and bacteria at bay. Dogtopia’s Ear Care Pro, an alcohol-free antiseptic and anti-microbial formula, can be a great option, as well as our Ear Wipes, which are best between baths to gently remove dirt and debris.
READ MORE: Getting Your Pup All Cleaned Up with Spring Cleaning
DOGTOPIA’S SAFE & CLEAN DOG DAYCARE PLAYROOMS
For dogs that love staying active and social, a clean and controlled indoor environment can be a great option, especially during allergy season. At Dogtopia daycare, our playrooms are designed with your pup’s needs in mind, and we follow safety and cleanliness protocols to help keep their environment healthy. For example, our advanced air filtration systems pump out clean air, while our twice-daily sanitization of playroom surfaces keeps the space fresh so pups can focus on playing and having fun.
By spending time in a well-maintained indoor space, dogs can enjoy exercise and social interaction without constant contact with environmental triggers. Reach out to your local Dogtopia and book their daycare visit today, and also find out how our doggie spa can help you keep on top of your pup’s hygiene routine this spring.
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