Dog Seasonal Allergies: A Guide to Signs, Causes, and What Can Actually Help

Dog seasonal allergies affect millions of dogs around the globe and are a real concern for many pet parents. Seasonal allergies can vary from a minor inconvenience to a frustrating and heartbreaking struggle to support your dog's health and comfort. 

Some experts suggest that environmental allergies in dogs seem to be getting worse over the years—though it's not clear whether this is true or simply a result of improved owner awareness, more consistent veterinary care, and improvements in diagnosing skin issues and seasonal allergies within the vet community. 

VetriScience® has been working with veterinary professionals and pet health experts for decades to formulate science-backed formulas that help support dogs who struggle with seasonal and environmental allergies.  

Read on to learn more about what allergies are, what causes them, how you can help manage allergen exposure, and what can actually help your dog start to feel better. 

What causes seasonal or environmental allergies in dogs?

Are some dog breeds more prone to seasonal allergies? 

Spring or Fall allergies can occur in dogs of any age, sex, size, or breed, regardless of genetics, but a dog's breed may play a part. 

Some breeds that are genetically more prone to dog environmental allergies include:

• Labrador Retrievers 

• Golden Retrievers 

• Dalmatians 

• Boxers 

• Shih Tzus 

• Shar-Peis 

• Lhasa Apsos 

• Boston Terriers 

• Scottish Terriers 

• Wirehaired Fox Terriers 

• West Highland Terriers 

Dog seasonal allergy signs: what to look for 

When you think about dog allergies, your mind probably goes right to itching—and that is a very common sign! However, itching and scratching are a normal part of every dog's day, so it's important to look at the whole picture.  

Seasonal or environmental allergies, food sensitivities, and flea-bite reactions can all cause your dog to feel itchy, but they all present a little differently. 

While it can be incredibly difficult to determine exactly what is triggering your dog's allergies without extensive testing, there are a few things you can look out for to guide the conversation: 

Typical signs of seasonal allergies in dogs:  

• Full-body itching 

• Excessive paw licking 

• Itchy ears and armpits 

• Changes that seem to appear in the spring or fall 

• Changes that seem to come and go throughout the year 

   

Typical signs of food sensitivities in dogs:  

• Localized scratching at specific body parts 

• Excessive paw licking 

• Gastrointestinal discomfort or loose stools 

• Changes that seem to appear after a new food or treat was introduced or removed 

• Changes that do not seem to be dependent on seasons 

Typical signs of fleas in dogs:  

• Sudden, frantic, aggressive itching 

• Biting or nibbling at themselves 

• Excessive shedding of hair in specific patches 

• Tiny, black or dark red flecks on the skin (flea dirt) 

• Visible fleas 

How are allergies diagnosed in dogs? 

Only a veterinary professional or specialist can diagnose allergies in dogs. If you're feeling stumped, it's always a good idea to schedule a visit with your vet or with a specialized, Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist. 

Seasonal or environmental allergies (an immune reaction to physical allergens) are quite a bit more common than true food allergies in dogs. 

If you notice gastrointestinal changes in your dog after eating certain foods, ingredients, or proteins—but no itching or skin changes—it may not be an allergy as defined by an intense response from the immune system with an exaggerated release of histamine.  

Loose stools, gas, burping, or gut discomfort may mean your dog has a food sensitivity or intolerance. Still a concern to be aware of, but not a true allergy. 

If you're seeing excessive, persistent itching, you're most likely seeing dog seasonal or environmental allergies, but it never hurts to get an opinion from your veterinarian. 

READ MORE: 12 Signs Your Dog is Suffering from Seasonal Allergies 

What can I give my dog to support seasonal allergy challenges? 

So, what can you do to help your dog feel healthy and comfortable all year long if they have environmental sensitivities?  

Currently, there are no treatment options available that can completely reduce or cure seasonal allergies. For more severe cases, your vet may recommend pharmaceutical support and/or a comprehensive muti-modal care plan. 

But if your dog is experiencing only mild discomfort, there are some great ways you can provide home care for seasonal allergies to promote comfort, balance, and resilience for their gut, skin, and immune system.  

Best option: Allergy & Itch Support 

Our Allergy & Itch Support chews were carefully crafted by veterinarians and pet health experts to provide powerful support to the gut, skin, and immune system with one comprehensive formula. 

This dog seasonal allergy supplement is formulated with three clinically backed ingredients that work together to give your dog the best support possible:  

• QRILL™ Pet krill meal is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids and astaxanthin, an antioxidant that helps to support skin health & resilience 

• L. sakei proBio65 is a clinically proven probiotic that helps to promote a strong gut-skin axis and has been shown to improve skin condition in dogs 

• Anivestin™ is a unique blend of two powerful antioxidants—Chinese Skullcap & Acacia Catechu extracts—that help to support a healthy immune system as well as a normal histamine response; Anivestin™ also helps to promote a healthy inflammatory response 

Allergy & Itch Support is made with an innovative hydrolyzed duck flavor that is generally considered hypoallergenic and appropriate for dogs with sensitivities to proteins like chicken or beef. 

Finding the best supplement for your dog's seasonal allergies may feel challenging, but choosing science-backed support is a great place to start. 

Additional support for skin: Omega supplements 

A healthy daily dose of Omega-3s can be a beneficial addition for any dog who experiences seasonal or environmental allergies. Omega fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, help to support skin health, structure, resilience, and comfort.  

For a well-balanced daily Omega supplement, choose Extra Strength Healthy Skin & Coat, a duck-flavored soft chew enhanced with B vitamins, amino acids, zinc, and biotin to help nurture a healthy skin microbiome.  

For dogs who need to be extra cautious with what they add to their diet, Omega Healthy Skin capsules offer a limited-ingredient approach to fish oil supplementation. With an optimal combination of borage seed, flaxseed, and fish oils, Omega Healthy Skin delivers over 750 mg of total Omega fatty acids per capsule. 

Additional support for a healthy immune response: Antioxidant supplements 

Since the immune system plays such a major part in allergies, targeted immune supplements for dog seasonal allergies can help to strengthen those internal systems and promote comfort in dogs. 

VetriScience® Immunity Health combines 23 trusted, science-backed antioxidants to help bolster the immune system, fight against free radicals, and promote overall wellness. This support for immune health can be beneficial in helping to calm the response to unwanted allergens.  

We also offer a specific immune support formula for small-breed dogs: big support for tiny bodies! 

For the best possible results, we recommend using seasonal allergy, skin, and immune health products together during peak allergy season to give your dog's body the best chance for success. 

READ MORE: Combining Allergy and Immune Support for Dogs for Maximum Benefit 

When are dog seasonal allergies the worst?  

Being aware of the most challenging seasons can help you prepare for your dog's itching and scratching. Keeping a journal can help you to pinpoint specific times of the year, environments, or allergens that seem to bother them the most.  

Keep in mind that seasonal changes vary by geography—dogs in southern climates like Texas or Florida may be exposed to environmental irritants nearly year-round, while dogs in the Northeast (like our home state of Vermont) may experience two distinct peaks in the Spring or Fall. 

February – April: Late Winter & Early Spring 

• Trees begin to produce pollen and ramp up through April 

• Weeds & grasses begin to produce pollen in warmer climates 

• You may notice more frequent itching 

April – May: Spring 

• Peak time of year for tree pollen sensitivities 

• Weed & grass pollen starts to increase 

• You may see increased scratching, sneezing, and tear stains 

June – August: Summer 

• Grass pollen peaks (bermuda, rye, etc.) 

• Weed pollen increases 

• Highly sensitive dogs may be more affected 

September – November: Fall  

• Weed pollen peaks (ragweed, nettle, etc.) 

• Fallen leaves may shed mold spores in the wind 

• May be a second "peak" season for dogs in Northern/colder climates 

December – February: Winter 

• Typically the easiest time of year for dog seasonal allergies overall 

• Early tree pollen in the South may be starting 

• Dust mites may increase indoors due to enclosed spaces & forced hot air 

When to take your dog to the vet for allergies 

All the above strategies and tips can help to support your dog's health, wellness, and comfort during allergy season, but sometimes even the best at-home support isn't enough. 

If you're noticing any of the below signs, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian or get a referral to a Veterinary Dermatologist:  

• Persistent scratching that won't stop  

• Aggressive itching that causes hair loss or harm to their skin  

• Moist, red skin patches that are warm to the touch 

• Lethargy, bloody stool, or vomiting 

In severe seasonal allergy cases, veterinary intervention is likely required to help your dog feel their best and manage life with allergies. Never give your dog human allergy medications like Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin without express direction from your veterinarian. 

Prescription medications like Apoquel tablets or Cytopoint injections, corticosteroids, medicated shampoos, and immunotherapy may be recommended by your veterinarian if they are appropriate for your dog. 

However, many of these therapies can be used as part of multi-modal plans that include supplements and environmental management like bathing, using air filters, and avoiding known allergy triggers.