Did you know that your pets can have seasonal allergies?
Even though I myself suffer from seasonal allergies I didn’t realize until recently that our furry friends could also be susceptible to them. Our favourite canines could be scratching a lot for a reason as their skin plays a big role in protecting them from environmental allergens. So if their sensitive and have an allergic reaction their skin barrier is compromised.
We personally started to do some research when we heard about seasonal allergies as our chihuahua Little Zeus pictured above has been scratching constantly all summer. We thought it was fleas at first but we’ve consistently had him on flea medication yet the scratching continued. As you can see below in the picture he has a little spot with no fur that was red for a while but is healing now. We now think he has seasonal allergies that has resulted in a skin issue.
So what should you do if your dog is excessively scratching or has inflamed, red skin, ears that are sensitive to the touch as well as excessive paw licking which are all possible signs of an allergic reaction? You go see a veterinary professional of course. That’s what we’ve done and the preliminary results for Little Zeus are that we have to change his diet. Yep nutrients are key to have a healthy skin barrier and reduce moisture loss. We’re going for a follow up with our Little Zeus’ vet for more details as they just want to make sure that’s what it is. Already though we’ve seen less scratching just by switching foods and with a few more changes from our vet’s recommendation I’m thinking we’re going to see a significant improvement.
Check out this wonderful infographic on seasonal allergies for dogs. You can also take the ESP test (no not that kind) to see if your dog may have a seasonal environmental allergy HERE. After all we don’t want our favourite pooches to suffer from itching and more so check it out and if you’re worried go see your vet 🙂
So what do you do if
Edna Williams says
My dog just started scratching, and I never knew why. Thanks for sharing!
Rosemary Dawson says
Great info thanks.I have a cat that was licking so much and i tried all kinds of flea meds but nothing worked. Took her to a vet and he said she had allergies to a different kind of flea that we have in our area now and gave me a new pill that is for fleas and ticks. She lost almost all of her fur but after that it took months before she finally got some fur back. That’s when I learned animals too can be allergic.
Carolann Leibenguth says
My furbaby has allergies I hate to give her steroid shots too often I try to keep the shots to three per year at the most. I have gotten a great shampoo and conditioner from our vet that I use weekly and I use Douxo Seborrhea Micro-emulsion spray daily and this has been a big help. I have also switched her food to Science Diet’s J&D which has a lot of omegas in them which also helps.
Mary Helene says
Very Lucky that our dog does not have seasonal allergies. My sister’s dog does and requires meds and specials baths, poor Gracie is constantly itching.
Linda Szymoniak says
I had to deal with minor allergy problems with a couple of our pets over the years, but since adopting our cat, Moko, about three years ago, have had to deal with some serious seasonal allergies with her since then. At first I thought the little scabs all over her back and legs were from the other cats picking on her (she was one of several strays being fed by a friend’s father, and the other cats would really pick on her). Those healed up and we didn’t have any other problems with them – until nearly a year later, when she started getting them again. I realized she was scratching and nibbling herself enough to leave small sores. Her allergies weren’t too bad, but this year they really flared up and we had to get her meds from the vet. Since they are seasonal allergies, just changing her food didn’t really do anything. Now that winter is here, at least the allergens that she reacts to are gone. That is, until next year. A couple of my rescue’s dogs have food allergies, but luckily none of the ones we currently have with the rescue had any problems with seasonal allergies this year.
Judi Prince says
my poor Penny suffers from seasonal allergies in the summer…fresh cut grass torments my baby…benadryl usually helps but from time to time we have to take her in to get a shot
Kaylea Hart says
I just got a puppy, I hope she doesn’t get bad allergies next summer !
tasha may says
Great info, thanks so much! my dog has sensitive skin and it’s hard to find things that work for her, you gave me some insight!
Kathleen says
Our dog has had allergies his whole life. It is just awful to see him so miserable! His vet has had to put him on steroids and Benadryl numerous times to clear up a really bad skin sores. We could put him on steroids permanently but the vet said that shortens his life span. It is very FRUSTRATING to have a pet with allergies as you never REALLY know just WHAT is doing it! We finally, (he is 6 yrs old) decided it was maybe our laundry soap because he is a burrower under our blankets. Now I have to wash all the blankets in fragrance-free detergent.
christina says
great information thank you
Ingermaria Berryman says
My parents’ corgi was itching like crazy, had red, irritated skin in his belly area, had smelly ears, and he itched some areas so much that he lost fur too. I thought it was allergies, but the vet said he got a yeast infection, he said somebody in our family must be a carrier for it, and his smelly ears was fron an ear infection. He was given antibiotics, and my dad started bathing him with an oatmeal shampoo and applying a topical cream on his skin, and their dog recovered quickly. Thanks for the info!
Jodie Rector says
Great info! Thanks!
laura v says
thank you for the info I will have to get the vet to check it out since she sometimes licks on her paws.
Tammy Biggs says
I had a Sheltie that had allergies all the time. She had to get those Allergy shots from the vet. Did much better then.
crystal lane says
my dogs been itching like crazy so i this was great info thank you.
Sarah Erps says
Thanks for this great info!!
Mary Ann Knox says
My dog had a similar issue with allergies. We had to give him medication for it because it got so bad that he had red spots everywhere!!!
sherry butcher says
Yes, I think my dog has this. In the spring he itches and eye run all the time. Next time I go in with him I’ll ask about what to do for him. Thanks.
Valerie Carpenter says
I used to have a small dog that would lose his hair every summer if I didn’t give him the allergies pills. He was allergic to grass!
Ellen says
My furbaby gets sick if he gets a flea bite. None of the topical stuff like Frontline help him only pills like corfortes (sp?) He also takes Benadryl certain times of year when things are blooming.
Stacey says
poor doggie
Brooke Adametz says
Very informative! Many people don’t think about allergies, I know we didn’t when our dog started experiencing skin issues. We immediately thought the worst, but it turned out to just be seasonal allergies!
Cara Heilman says
I really like the gown on this page. I also adore the colors of this site also
Erin Eyster-McKain says
Thank you for this info! I think i might know what is going on with my chihuahua since I havent found fleas either! Checking this out!
Phyllis Carls says
Great information to share with our Vet about our dog, Rocks!
Kathy L. says
Wow interesting! I’m going to take the ESP test right now. Thank you!
Peggy Humbracht says
Thank you for the info. Our do(s) have had allergies and we have been trying to get thte remedy. It really helped to read your article.
Heather Martin says
I’ve had several dogs with skin allergies. Several breeds are more prone to it than others. Wiping their paws, especially the smaller breeds, they come in from outside really does help.
crystal lane says
I didnt even know this thanks for the information cause both my little dogs itch all the time and i know it aint fleas,
heidi eaton says
I had a shep/rot mix and he had all kinds of skin problems we spent 1000’s on vet bills trying to find out what was wrong and it ended up being allergies. We had to buy him lamb and rice food and sulfur tar shampoo. that took care of all his problems.
Carol W says
Thanks for sharing my dog has been scratching like crazy and we gives him baths regularly and he gets flea and tick treatments.
Lisa K says
They have a lot of the same problems as us humans. From Diabetes to seizures, allergies. Food allergies is a big one too that can cause yeast infections in the ears. Very much like us. No wonder why I love them so much!
Nelda Gay says
Thanks for all of this information. My dog has the itchiness right now and I do think it is allergies.
Jen B. says
My indoor cat has wheezing and coughing fits in early Spring every year.
Sandra McFadden says
I agree some dogs can get seasonal allergies…………….but also check their dog foods some dogs are sensitive, to grains, such as corn and wheat. Most dogs will sneeze if its a allergies from grass, flowers etc. But some don’t they do the licking and the chewing of their paws and back side. Thanks for the info. I am glad my dog doesn’t have those it can be very frustrating for pet owners who’s dog has them.
Angel Heaven Lee says
I knew some of this… Thanks for all of the info!!
Michelle Proper says
I had a experience with my dog and allergies down in Florida while vacationing. Poor thing was tearing her hair out!
Shannon Harris says
This is great info. I never knew that pets could have allergies other than medicine allergies.
leslie says
my puppy has bad allergies all year long
Dianna Thomas says
Yes ! It can be as bad as people–we have one puppy that sneeze over any kind of smoke and acts as if his throat is closing up– I give him a doggy benadril–
Phyllis Carls says
Now we know why Rocks chews his paws so much and we’re always at the Vet about his ears! Thanks for the information, wonder why his Vet never mentioned allergies????
Jessica Parent says
I had no idea!!! I knew about flea allergies thanks to my medium haired cat who recently ended up w/ fur loss and sores and was diagnosed with a flea allergy.Thanks for the heads up…my dog seems asthmatic…maybe its allergies..Ill ask the vet 🙂
Rachel Beltz says
I don’t know why, but I never knew that pets could get seasonal allergies! It could explain my dog’s symptoms! Next time we go to the vet, I think I’m going to have to bring it up and see what she says.
lisa says
I never thought about it but it does make sense that animals develop allergies too.
Helene Tienda says
We are having issues with our dog as well, but we are not finding fleas either. This is definitely something for us to ask the vet about. Thanks for the valuable information!!