Seasonal Pet Allergies: Tips & Treatment

April 07, 2020

Seasonal Allergies and What It Means For Your Pet

For many people, when they think of spring, they think of allergies and having a runny nose and itchy eyes. What many people fail to realize, however, is that their pet could be suffering from seasonal allergies as well. Most pet owners don’t know the signs of seasonal allergies, so our team at Care First Animal Hospital put together the top tips and treatment.

Wondering how you would know if your pet has allergies? Look for these 5 signs:

1. Itchiness: While most humans experience itchy eyes and runny noses with allergies, your pet’s main allergy symptoms have to do with their skin. If your pet is itching, scratching or biting at their skin frequently, they most likely have allergies.

2. Inflamed skin: A critical side effect of seasonal allergies is a skin infection, which can be caused by excessive itching. Look for red patchy skin, sores or dry spots on your pet. 

3. Licking paws: For dogs especially, a common reaction to allergies is to lick their paws. This can create sores that can get infected, making it difficult for your pet to walk. 

4. Ear infections: Chronic ear infection can be a sign of seasonal allergies in pets. Common signs of an ear infection are shaking the head and a red, waxy residue.

5. Runny eyes: Another common sign of allergies in pets is runny eyes. If your pet’s eyes have residue in the corners, it might be because of seasonal allergies.

Treatment for Seasonal Allergies

1. Allergy Shots: Allergy shots are a great way to help control severe seasonal allergies for your pet. One shot can provide allergy relief for 4-6 weeks. If you’re interested in this for your pet, contact our team today. 

2. Wash Your Pet’s Bedding: The bedding that your dog lays on at night and during naps can become covered in allergens quickly. To avoid this, make sure to wash your pet’s bed and blankets regularly.

3. Baths: Once weekly baths with a gentle shampoo will help soothe your pet’s skin and wash off any pollen residue that is causing your pets seasonal allergies. 

4. After Walks: If you notice your dog seems especially itchy after their walks you can use an unscented baby wipe to wipe off any pollen that has collected on their fur. 

5. Add Dietary Supplements: Fish oil and/or fatty acids  can reduce itching and improve skin health, which is one of the biggest concerns with seasonal allergies in pets. Contact your veterinarian for product and dosing recommendations. 

Allergies And Your Pet

Allergies can bring down the quality of life for your pet, and because of this, we want to make sure we’re doing our part to avoid this. If your pet won’t stop itching, biting, licking, or is showing other signs of seasonal allergies, reach out to the veterinarians at Care First Animal Hospital.