9 Signs That Your Dog Has Seasonal Allergies
Did you know that seasonal allergies have become 92% more common in dogs over the last two decades? 5 We cover 9 key signs your dog might be among those affected by pollens, and what you can do to support them.
Key Takeaways
- Dogs can have seasonal allergies just like humans, but they often show different signs.
- Some signs involve unusual behavior, like excessive scratching, sneezing, licking, face rubbing, and head shaking.
- Other signs involve physical changes to the eyes, ears, skin, and coat.
- Seasonal allergies are on the rise in dogs, with certain breeds more prone than others.
- You can support your dog with immune support supplements, like our Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture.
See Related: Can CBD Help Dogs Stop Scratching?
Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Did you know almost half of Americans get seasonal allergies? All the new growth that springs up after winter is beautiful, but the pollen it releases triggers seasonal allergies in many people — and their dogs.
We can't exactly ask our dogs whether they feel the same way about Spring. But we do know that many of our furry friends have the same sensitivity to seasonal allergens as us.
In one study of 1,000 dogs, over 15% of the dogs reacted to pollens like wheat, sweet vernal, plantain, and peppercorn.¹
Seasonal allergies can usually be distinguished by their, well, seasonality. That's different from other allergies in dogs, like food allergies.² Paying attention to that seasonality can help you rule out other potential environmental allergies that might be affecting your dog.²
Interestingly, dogs, like humans, are more likely to develop seasonal allergies when they live in an urban setting. And if you suffer from seasonal allergies, pay attention to your dog — they can sometimes develop the same seasonal allergies as their owners! ³
That's in part due to the fact that pet parents and their furry friends can share similar skin microbiota. Not surprising, considering how irresistibly cuddly our dogs are. Still, it demonstrates how important it is to keep your dog's skin healthy — something we'll get to in a moment.
You should also know that certain breeds of dogs are more likely to have seasonal allergies. Labradors, French bulldogs, and Vizslas are just a few of the breeds more likely to have seasonal allergies.⁴
Another important thing to know is that seasonal allergies are becoming increasingly common among dogs — just like among humans. In 2002, just 14.4% of dogs had seasonal allergies. By 2010, that figure was 27.7%.⁵
Key Seasonal Dog Allergy Symptoms
We all know the symptoms of seasonal allergies in humans. A stuffy, runny nose... red, itchy eyes...
Dogs might have similar seasonal allergies to us, but their symptoms are actually quite different.
For one thing, the nose is not usually affected in dogs.⁶ Instead, we need to look elsewhere to see the signs of seasonal allergies in dogs.
In dogs, seasonal allergies are most often visible on the skin. Other signs can be found by paying attention to the ears, eyes, and behavior of our dogs.
Common Allergens
Unfortunately, there are lots of kinds of pollen out there. And whether your dog reacts to them can vary a lot depending on where you live.
For example, one study found that 82% of dogs reacted to orchard grass pollen.⁷
But in another study, just 8% of dogs reacted to the same pollen!⁸
Another reason researchers think these numbers vary so much is due to lifestyle. Giving dogs an immune-support supplement like this Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture can help maintain normal histamine levels and soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies. You can even try a gut-support supplement with colostrum!
Are Seasonal Allergies Inherited?
Like in humans, some dogs have a genetic predisposition to seasonal allergies. So if your dog's family members had seasonal allergies, they might well have them too.
However, lifestyle plays a large role in seasonal allergies. That's why it's so important to pay attention to the signs of seasonal allergies in dogs — and be aware of ways to combat them.
Why It's So Important to Help A Pet With Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies can be uncomfortable in their own right. But research also suggests that discomfort can cause additional behavioral changes.⁹
By supporting your dog with their seasonal allergies, you could nip a bunch of other potential problems in the bud!
How to Support a Dog With Seasonal Allergies
Research suggests that air purifiers can help alleviate seasonal allergies in dogs.¹⁰
Another great option is supplements. We already mentioned our Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture, which can support pets with seasonal allergies.
Some research suggests that CBD and CBDa can help support pets with seasonal allergies, too.¹¹ We offer three sizes of CBD oil, but our 1000mg CBD oil is our best seller. If your dog isn't the biggest fan of CBD oil, perhaps they'll be more partial to a Beef & Pumpkin CBD Chew, which packs 10mg of CBD in each chew.
Of course, removing the environmental allergens causing your dog's discomfort is ideal. But you can't exactly keep your dog inside all Spring. That's why supporting your dog through their seasonal allergies is so important.
Bonus: What to Do When Your Dog Has Gas
Signs Your Dog Has Seasonal Allergies
#1. Sneezing
A sneeze now and then is totally normal. That's one of the main ways dogs protect their airway. However, excessive sneezing can be a sign that your dog has seasonal allergies.¹²
#2. Excessive Scratching
Scratching itchy skin is also totally normal. Again, the issue comes with too much itching. If your furry friend seems unable to stop scratching during a particular season, allergies might be the reason why.
#3. Excessive Licking
Licking is yet another normal behavior that can sometimes be a sign of seasonal allergies. Dogs often lick their paws, forearms, belly, the inside of their thighs, and around their anal glands. A little nibbling or even chewing is also normal.
What you want to look out for, though, is any sign that this licking is causing negative effects. For example, your dog might show signs of discomfort while licking. Or they might seem unable to stop licking.
#4. Face Rubbing or Scooting
What happens when you've got an itch you just can't scratch? For many animals, including dogs, one solution is to rub the itchy area on a rough surface.
Scooting is another behavior that follows the same principle. Dogs will scoot along on their bums, often on carpet, to try and alleviate itching in their behind.
Both of these behaviors are signs that your dog might be suffering from seasonal allergies.
#5. Head Shaking
If your dog is shaking their head excessively, that could be a sign their ears are irritated due to seasonal allergies.
#6. Changes to the Skin
Allergens like pollen can cause various changes to your dog's skin. Skin problems might include itchiness and redness.
If you think your dog's skin has been affected by seasonal allergies, consider picking up our Skin & Coat Support Pack. It combines our Paw & Skin Balm and Hemp Extract to help you support your dog's skin health. Our Immune Defense Pack is another excellent option!
#7. Changes to the Eyes
Changes to the eyes might be more common in humans with allergies, but they can happen to dogs, too. Look out for common symptoms like redness or tears.
#8. Changes to the Ears
Unlike humans, your dog's ears can often be affected by seasonal allergies. Stinky ears are one symptom of seasonal allergies. Another sign is your dog not wanting you to touch their ears or pet their head.
#9. Hair Loss
Losing hair is never a good sign. It can be caused by the seasonal allergies themselves or by behaviors like excessive scratching and licking.
Conclusion
By looking out for these nine signs, you should be much better able to identify seasonal allergies in your dog. And identification is the first step toward improvement — either by avoiding the allergens in question, or adding one of our immune and skin support supplements to your pet's routine!
Keep Reading: Why Do Dogs Twitch in Their Sleep?
Sources
- Aero-allergens in canine atopic dermatitis in southeastern Australia based on 1000 intradermal skin tests - PubMed
- Pollen Allergies in Humans and their Dogs, Cats and Horses: Differences and Similarities - PMC
- Simultaneous allergic traits in dogs and their owners are associated with living environment, lifestyle and microbial exposures | Scientific Reports
- Two Loci on Chromosome 5 Are Associated with Serum IgE Levels in Labrador Retrievers | PLOS One
- Allergens in veterinary medicine - PMC
- Pollen Allergies in Humans and their Dogs, Cats and Horses: Differences and Similarities - PMC
- Canine allergic inhalant dermatitis: a review of 230 cases - PubMed
- Canine atopic disease: the prevalence of positive intradermal skin tests at two sites in the north and south of Great Britain - ScienceDirect
- Study links skin allergies in dogs to problem behaviors
- WT Researcher: Allergies in Dogs Can Be Alleviated by Air Purifiers | WTAMU
- CBD for Allergies: Can It Help?
- Sneezing and Coughing - Common Clinical Presentations in Dogs and Cats - Wiley Online Library
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