12 Signs Your Dog is Suffering from Seasonal Allergies

Humans aren’t the only ones who get seasonal allergies—dogs can, too! Now that spring is in full swing and flowers and other plants are coming to life, your pup might be experiencing some unpleasant seasonal allergy symptoms.

Like humans, dogs are exposed to allergens by either inhaling them or coming into direct contact with them. The most common dog seasonal allergy trigger is pollen. Pollen is at its peak during the spring and summer months and comes from grass, weeds, trees, or flowers. There is no cure for seasonal allergies, but there are ways you can help keep their symptoms under control.

Fortunately, also like humans, there are allergy supplements for dogs that can help provide some relief from these symptoms!

Here are a few telltail signs of seasonal allergies to look for in your pet.

12 Common Allergy Symptoms in Dogs

Like humans, dogs are exposed to allergens by either inhaling them or coming into direct contact with them. The most common dog seasonal allergy trigger is pollen. Pollen is at its peak during the spring and summer months and comes from grass, weeds, trees, or flowers.

Here are a few things you may notice if your dog is struggling with seasonal allergies:

1. Watery eyes
2. Runny nose
3. Congestion
4. Sneezing
5. Smelly or red skin in the ears
6. Head shaking more often than usual
7. Unusual scratching & itching
8. Paw licking
9. Hair loss
10. Hot spots
11. Irritated or sensitive skin
12. Flaky skin

Unfortunately, there is no cure for seasonal allergies. But, there are quite a few ways you can help manage allergy symptoms and keep your dog feeling more comfortable.

How You Can Help

Seasonal allergies are nothing to wag your tail at, but that doesn’t mean you can't enjoy the great outdoors with your dog. Adventuring and playing outside is an important way to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Here are a few simple ways you can support your dog's health and wellbeing during allergy season (and all year long!)

Wipe paws and fur after being outside

Using a dog-friendly wipe to remove any allergens from skin, coat, or paws will help lessen your dog's overall exposure to seasonal allergens.

Wash bedding, blankets, and clothing regularly

Allergens can be brought inside by your pet, so it’s important to wash their coats, collars, harnesses, booties, blankets, and bedding regularly to help limit their exposure to pollen and other seasonal and environmental allergens.

Introduce a daily immune supplement

Since allergies are an immune response, it’s important to keep your dog's immune system strong! One way to help is to give your pup a daily immune support supplement like Immune Plus. (For dogs under 30 pounds, try Immune Plus for small dogs!)

Add a seasonal allergy supplement chew to their diet

Allergy Plus was specifically formulated to provide support for dogs with seasonal or environmental allergies. Krill meal, botanical antioxidants, and probiotics combine to support skin health and regulate the histamine response. Combining allergy & immune supplements for dogs can add extra support for your dog's sensitive system.

Provide a daily skin & coat supplement

Omega Plus is a fish-oil supplement that's packed with Omegas 3, 6, and 9 with additional ingredients like Vitamin E, zinc, and biotin to support a healthy skin and coat. It may help reduce excessive shedding and provide support and nutrients for dry, itchy skin.

Give regular baths with oatmeal or sensitive-skin shampoo

These will help eliminate any of the allergens that they have encountered and soothe itchy and irritated skin. (If your dog isn't a fan of baths, be sure to give Composure calming supplements 30 minutes before to help them keep their cool.)

Keep a journal

Try keeping track of your dog’s symptoms daily and take notes about which steps you took to manage those symptoms, including the addition of supplements or extra baths. This will help you track what works and what helps to improve your dog's comfort level. It may also help you to determine what is seasonal and what might be environmental.

Antihistamines

These help with reducing the severity of seasonal allergy symptoms in dogs. Be sure to check with your vet before giving any medications to your pets!

Talk to your vet

If you think your dog is experiencing discomfort from seasonal or environmental allergies, schedule an appointment with your vet to learn more about how you can help them be comfortable, healthy, and happy.

What are some other ways you help your dog manage their seasonal allergies? Tag us @vetriscience on Instagram or @vetrisciencepro on Facebook to let us know!