Can Dogs Get Hayfever?

Spring can be one of the most beautiful times of the year as the days get longer and nature slowly comes back to life after the cold winter months. However, what is a wonderful time for some of us can be a nightmare for others. As pollen counts rise, so does the risk of dog hay fever making an appearance. In this blog, we discuss whether dogs can suffer from seasonal allergies and what you can do to help soothe the symptoms of dog hay fever.

Do Dogs Get Hayfever? 

Just like how dogs can suffer from food allergies and intolerances, they can also struggle like us with seasonal allergies. But unlike us, dogs can't pop into the nearest chemist for an antihistamine, and they can’t tell us they’re struggling either, so it’s important to recognise the signs of seasonal allergies in dogs so you can make moves to help them feel more comfortable during allergy season. 

What Causes Seasonal Allergies in Dogs? 

Dog seasonal allergies can be caused by many of the same things that causes them in humans, including, but not limited to: 

• Pollen
• Tree pollen
• Flowering shrubs releasing pollen
• Parasites, such as fleas or ticks
• Stinging insects, such as bees and wasps
• Dust and/or dust mites
• Mold and/or mold mites

Finding the cause to your dog’s allergic reaction can be the first step to finding how to treat them, or at the very least when the best time to take them for a walk to avoid flare-ups. 

Dog Seasonal Allergies Symptoms

The symptoms of hayfever in dogs can vary depending on the severity of their reaction and also what they’re allergic to. If the source of their reaction is external, for reaction, flare-ups may be limited to when your dog has been on a walk, but if the source of the allergy is in your home, then the symptoms can be more constant and severe. 

Some of the key symptoms to look out for include: 

• Coughing and sneezing
• Watery, itchy, or red eyes 
• Runny nose
• Itchy or irritated skin
• Difficulty breathing 
• Excessive shedding or grooming, such as licking their paws or licking affected areas
• Ear infections (especially in dogs already prone to ear problems)

How severe your dog's allergic reaction will impact the treatments available, but if your dog is showing signs of allergic reactions, it’s important to consult your vet for further advice. 

Dog Seasonal Allergies Treatment

If your dog's allergic reaction is severe, your vet may prescribe medication for them to take to ease their symptoms. 

In milder cases, there are other options available to you, such as: 

• Routine flea treatments for dogs to combat parasite-related allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis. 
• Introduce dog skin supplements to nourish and strengthen their skin’s natural barrier, such as the YuMOVE Skin & Coat Care Itching for Dogs.
• Non-prescription allergy treatments for dogs to help ease their symptoms, such as the Virbac Allerderm Spot-On for Dogs
• Wash your pet’s bedding regularly to eliminate any allergens that may have been brought in from outside, such as pollen or dust
• Introducing a hypoallergenic dog food like the Purina Pro Plan HA Hypoallergenic Dry Dog Food if there’s a chance your dog’s allergen is nutrition related. 
• Hoovering your home more frequently during peak allergy times to reduce allergens in the home, such as pollen, dust, or fleas. 
• Bathing your dog with allergy-specific dog shampoos like the Dechra DermAllay™ Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs to remove allergens from their skin and coat while also soothing irritated skin. 

With the proper care and preventative measures, there’s no need for your dog to suffer when allergy seasons come around. If your dog has seasonal allergies, why not take a look at our range of dog allergy treatments to help soothe their symptoms, or get in touch with us to find the best treatment for your dog? 

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.