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 appearing. 

In this blog, we discuss whether dogs can suffer from seasonal allergies and how you can help soothe dog hay fever symptoms.

 Do Dogs Get Hay Fever?

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. 

Symptoms of Hay Fever in Dogs

The symptoms of hayfever in dogs can vary depending on the severity of their reaction and what they’re allergic to. 

If the source of their reaction is external, 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, 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)

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. 

How to Treat Allergies in Dogs

If your dog's allergic reaction is severe, your vet may prescribe medication 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 reduces allergens such as pollen, dust, and fleas. 

• Bathing your dog with allergy-specific dog shampoos, like the Dechra DermAllay™ Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs, will remove allergens from its skin and coat while soothing irritated skin. 

• If your dog gets dry eyes from allergies, Remend dry eye drops are a great lubricant and can help ease irritation.

The severity of your dog's allergic reaction will impact the treatments available, but if your dog shows signs of allergic reactions, it’s essential to consult your vet for further advice.