Signs Your Pet Has Pollen Allergies and What You Can Do

Think pollen allergies only affect humans? Think again. Studies suggest one in every four dogs experiences seasonal allergies. We cover the most common signs and the best ways you can support your pup with pollen allergies.

Key Takeaways

Pollen allergies, also called seasonal allergies, are becoming increasingly common in dogs.
The most common sign of pollen allergies in dogs is itchy, irritated skin.
Changes to the skin can cause various additional signs, including excessive scratching, head shaking, hair loss, hot spots, and biting or licking of the paws.
Other signs of pollen allergies include sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose.
Supplements like functional mushrooms, CBD, and glutathione can help support dogs with seasonal allergies.

See More: Valley Fever in Dogs: What to Look For

Understanding Your Dog's Allergies to Pollen

Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, says:

"The most common sign your pup has a pollen allergy is excessive itching. Other signs include irritated skin, hot spots, and sneezing. Functional mushrooms, glutathione, and CBD can all offer support for seasonal allergies."

You might think of hay fever as a human problem. But dogs experience it too.

Pollen allergies, also known as seasonal allergies or environmental allergies, are thought to affect up to one-quarter of dogs.¹ And research suggests that number is rising fast.²

Like humans, your dog's seasonal allergies are caused by their immune system overreacting to pollen. But unlike humans, your dog's allergic reaction usually manifests in different ways. That makes it important to learn the signs so you can know if your dog is experiencing these allergies and if you need to offer them additional support.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to support a pup experiencing environmental allergies. We'll cover those later. First, we need to explore exactly what causes seasonal allergies.

How Allergic Reactions Work

Allergic reactions are generally caused when your pet's immune system overreacts to something. That "something" is called an allergen.

When your dog's immune system detects an allergen, it reacts as if that allergen were a threat. To respond to this supposed threat, it releases various chemicals, including histamine. Excessive levels of histamine cause various things, including itchy skin.

Environmental Allergies

In the case of seasonal allergies, the substances your dog's body mistakes for a threat are called environmental allergens. That's because they come from the environment. Pollen is one common environmental allergen.

Pollen is incredibly important. Plants produce it in order to reproduce. But the pollen particles are so tiny they can easily enter your dog's body, where they may trigger an allergic reaction.

There are many different kinds of pollen. Some are produced by grass, others by trees, still others by flowers. Your dog may be sensitive to a particular kind of pollen or multiple kinds.

For example, one study of 1,000 dogs found that over 150 reacted to pollen from wheat, plantain, and peppercorn.

In many parts of the world, including much of the US, plants only produce pollen at specific times of the year. That's why pollen allergies are also called seasonal allergies, because they tend to occur during specific seasons when pollen counts are high.

Pollen levels are also often higher during the day, and tend to be lower in the early morning and late at night.

Bonus: Glutathione vs. NAC: A Comparison of These Antioxidants

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Pollen Allergy Symptoms

Before you can determine how to support your furry friend, you need to determine whether they really are experiencing a pollen allergy. As we mentioned, the signs of seasonal allergies in dogs are a little different from those in humans.

The most common sign of seasonal allergies in dogs is itchy, irritated skin.³ They may react to these changes in various ways.

Look out for the following symptoms:

Excessive scratching
Rubbing their face on furniture or the floor
Head shaking
Skin redness
Hair loss (potentially from excessive scratching or rubbing)
Licking or biting, especially of the paws
Skin odor
Hot spots
Hives

In many cases, the key is to watch for changes in your dog's behavior. For example, scratching is totally normal. We all get itchy spots now and again!

But if your dog is suddenly scratching far more than they used to, they may be experiencing seasonal allergies.

These aren't the only signs of seasonal allergies in dogs. Other signs include the following:

Sneezing or reverse sneezing
Puffy or watery eyes
Nasal discharge

How Dog Owners Can Support Their Pups

If you think your dog is experiencing seasonal allergies, don't worry. As we mentioned, these allergies are very common. And there are a few supplements that can help.

Functional Mushrooms

There is a group of mushrooms called adaptogenic mushrooms, which have been shown to help support the immune system.

One example of an adaptogenic mushroom is the reishi mushroom. Research has shown that this mushroom can help dogs maintain normal histamine levels. Remember, excessive histamine is a key cause of seasonal allergies.⁴

Another potentially helpful adaptogenic mushroom is turkey tail. One study found that this mushroom can help support the immune system.⁵

Yet another example is lion's mane mushroom. A 2025 scientific review concluded that this functional mushroom can help your dog's body maintain a normal inflammatory response.⁶

"Mushrooms are a great option," notes Earth Buddy co-founder Sean Zyer. "Being adaptogenic, they help boost the immune system and help with things like dietary and environmental allergies."

Earth Buddy's Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture contains a powerful blend of functional mushrooms, including reishi, lion's mane, and turkey tail. This blend can help your furry friend maintain normal histamine levels. It's a great option for supporting pets with seasonal allergies.

Another option is Earth Buddy's Organic Mushrooms supplement. It's the same blend of potent mushrooms, but in a powder form instead of a tincture.

CBD

CBD can help support pets with seasonal allergies in two ways.

The first way is with topical products. Multiple scientific reviews, including one from 2025, have concluded that CBD can help soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies.⁷

Earth Buddy's Paw & Skin Balm blends whole plant extract with other soothing, skin-supporting ingredients, like organic coconut oil.

The second way CBD can help support pets with seasonal allergies is through oral supplements. Research has shown that stress can make allergy symptoms worse. Studies also show that CBD can help promote relaxation and help dogs maintain calmness.⁸

One popular way to give dogs CBD is CBD Oil From Hemp Extract. You can give your dog CBD oil straight from the dropper, mix it in their food, or use it to make CBD-infused treats.

Alternatively, you can get professionally made CBD Calming Treats for Dogs.

One additional benefit of these calming chews is the fact that they contain other ingredients with their own potential benefits. For example, the pumpkin in our Pumpkin Hemp Hearts is a great source of fiber, which helps support the digestive tract. For digestive support, you can also try a Dog Supplement With Bovine Colostrum.

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Glutathione

Glutathione is known as the "master antioxidant." It helps protect the body against reactive molecules called free radicals, which can cause a type of damage called oxidative stress.

Research has found that glutathione can support immune function, enhance the immune response, and help dogs maintain a normal inflammatory response.⁹

The problem, though, lies in delivering that glutathione to your dog's cells, where it's needed. Normally, glutathione is destroyed by the digestive system.

That's where Earth Buddy's Liposomal Glutathione comes in. It's the first supplement of its kind, and uses specially designed lipid bubbles to protect the glutathione from digestion, increasing the effectiveness of the glutathione.

How to Pick the Best Supplement

When it comes to picking the right supplement for your dog, there are a few things to watch out for.

First, consider avoiding synthetic ingredients. Earth Buddy uses raw or minimally processed ingredients for high-quality natural supplements. For example, the functional mushrooms in our Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture are certified organic.

Second, stick to high-quality products. Unfortunately, research has found that many CBD products are contaminated with toxic ingredients.¹⁰ To avoid this, stick with manufacturers who submit their products for testing.

All of Earth Buddy's CBD and functional mushroom products are tested by an independent, third-party laboratory. You can view the certificate of analysis for each product by scanning the QR code attached.

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Conclusion

Many dogs will experience pollen allergies. The most common sign is irritated and itchy skin.

Several supplements can support pets with seasonal allergies. Functional mushrooms can help dogs maintain normal histamine levels, CBD can soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies, and glutathione can help support immune function.

If your pup is experiencing severe allergies or you aren't sure what is causing their allergies, make sure to consult with your veterinarian. They'll be able to help you get to the bottom of what's going on and how you can best support your furry friend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Symptoms of Pollen Allergies in Dogs?

The most common sign of pollen allergies in dogs is itchy, irritated skin. That can manifest in many different ways, including excessive scratching, licking, head shaking, face-rubbing, hair loss, and hot spots. Other signs include sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

What Is the Best Thing to Give a Dog for Allergies?

Natural supplements are a great way to support dogs with seasonal allergies. Allergic reactions are often caused by excessive histamine levels, and functional mushrooms can help dogs maintain normal histamine levels. Topical CBD can help soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies, and glutathione can help support immune function.

How Do I Help My Dog Who Is Allergic to Pollen?

One great way to support dogs with pollen allergies is by giving them a high-quality natural supplement.

Functional mushrooms can help dogs maintain normal histamine levels. CBD helps promote relaxation and, when applied topically, can soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies. Glutathione supports immune function and can help dogs maintain a normal inflammatory response.

Keep Reading: Do Hemp Treats Work for Dogs?

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Signs Your Pet Has Pollen Allergies and What You Can Do

Key Takeaways