Can My Dog Get Seasonal Allergies?
September 25, 2017
While you might be too consumed with your own seasonal allergies at the moment to notice your dog’s scratching, there might be more to that itchy skin than you think. Your dog could have seasonal allergies, also known as environmental allergies.
With the change in weather it’s easy to assume your dog’s skin is just drier than normal and that’s why he or she is scratching so much lately. Or maybe you’ve been out in the woods among the poison ivy and mosquitoes, or down by the lake playing in the sand. That stuff gets everywhere!
Does My Dog Have Seasonal Allergies?
If your dog is scratching more than usual, shaking their head a lot, or biting and chewing at certain areas, seasonal allergies are one possibility. Right now it’s ragweed and mold season, and the air is ripe with pollen and microscopic mold spores that can wreak havoc with the immune system. The thought of it is enough to make you sneeze.
But unlike us humans, whose sinuses swell up at this time of year, a dog’s allergies usually show up not in the respiratory system but in the skin. It’s worth knowing, though, that itching has plenty of look-alike causes — fleas, food allergies, mites, dry skin, and skin or ear infections can all produce the same scratching and head shaking. That’s why a proper diagnosis from your veterinarian matters: the right treatment depends on the actual cause.
Dogs will bite and scratch at itchy areas, often until they break the skin and bleed. That’s when bacterial and yeast infections can take hold. If your dog has raw, weepy, or smelly patches of skin — or is shaking their head with red or odorous ears — that’s beyond home care. Those need to be seen and treated by a vet, and the sooner the better.
Seasonal Allergy Relief For Your Dog
Fortunately, there are a number of effective treatments your vet can recommend, from prescription itch-relief medications to medicated shampoos, sprays, wipes, and creams. And believe me, if that sounds like a lot, just think back to the last time you tangled with poison ivy and how infuriating and insanely annoying that itchy feeling was. Enough to drive you batty. That’s what your dog is going through right now.
At home, the gentlest option is a cooling oatmeal bath with a hypoallergenic oatmeal shampoo made for dogs, which can help take the edge off mild itching. What about antihistamines like Benadryl? Some vets do use them for dogs, but this is a call your veterinarian needs to make: the dose depends on your dog’s weight and health, some dogs shouldn’t take them at all, and many human allergy products contain added ingredients (like decongestants or xylitol) that are dangerous for dogs. Never give your dog any human medication without your vet’s okay on the specific product and dose. The same goes for over-the-counter sprays and creams — a quick call to the clinic first can save you from making an irritated patch of skin worse.
It’s always a good idea to wipe your dog down after being outside, especially their paws, to remove pollen and stop them from tracking allergens into the house. A soft cloth dampened with plain water or hypoallergenic pet wipes work well — skip home concoctions like vinegar rinses, which can sting already-irritated or broken skin.
Your dog can develop food allergies or environmental allergies at any stage of life. If it’s spring or fall and you notice your canine scratching, shaking, biting, and chewing at themselves, seasonal allergies are a likely suspect — but let your vet confirm it. In the meantime, try to limit time spent in areas where ragweed grows and avoid wooded spots where mold is common this time of year. With your vet’s guidance and a little patience, most itchy dogs can get real, lasting relief.
by Natalie Secretan
PuppyDogCapers.com
Photo credit: Kristian Niemi ~ That's the spot!