How Can You Tell if Your Dog Has Allergies?

Allergy season doesn't just affect humans. Millions of dogs experience seasonal allergies every year. If you think your furry friend might be one of them, you're in the right place.

We explain how to tell if your dog has allergies and cover the science-backed ways to support them.

Key Takeaways

Seasonal allergies are more common in dogs than you might think, affecting roughly one in ten dogs.
The most common sign of seasonal allergies in dogs is itching.
There are several ways to support a dog with seasonal allergies.
You can use functional mushrooms to help maintain a normal histamine response.
Glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, can help support your dog's natural detoxification process and enhance their immune response.
Topical CBD products can soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies, while oral CBD Products Help Promote Relaxation.

See More: Do Cats Stress Eat or Have Comfort Food?

Allergies In Dogs

Sean Zyer, co-founder of Earth Buddy, says:

"Like humans, dogs can have many different allergies, including seasonal allergies. Common symptoms include excessive itching, licking, and scratching. Fortunately, there are plenty of supplements that can help you support your furry friend with seasonal allergies."

As spring arrives, the days grow longer, the air warms, and plants explode back to life. Little wonder, then, that Americans rank spring as their favorite season.¹

But to many, spring also means allergies. Seasonal allergies don't just affect humans, either.

Something like 10% of all dogs experience seasonal allergies.² And research suggests that number is growing.³

But why do dogs experience environmental allergies? How can you tell if your furry friend is experiencing them? And what can you do to support them?

Allergy Season

Seasonal allergies are caused by things in the environment. That's why they are also called environmental allergies.

The things that cause these allergies are referred to as environmental allergens. Examples include mold spores, fibers from animals or plants, dust mites, and pollen.

Pollen often looks like little more than yellow dust, but it's actually a crucial part of how plants reproduce. All kinds of plants release pollen, from trees to flowers to grass and even weeds.⁴

It can also trigger allergies, called pollen allergies. Pollen particles are so tiny that they can easily get inside the body. And the body can mistake the particles for dangerous invaders, causing an allergic reaction.⁵

Plants don't constantly release pollen. Different plants release pollen at different points in the year, according to their individual reproductive cycles. Spring and fall are usually the seasons with the highest pollen counts.⁶

These seasons are sometimes called pollen seasons. Research suggests these seasons are becoming longer and more intense.⁷ That means it's all the more important to watch out for signs of seasonal allergies and to learn how to support your dog if they're experiencing these allergies.

Bonus: 10 Reasons Your Old Dog is Shaking

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Common Symptoms

If you're one of the many people who experience seasonal allergies, you might think yourself familiar with the associated symptoms. But while dogs experience allergies for similar reasons to us humans, they don't always have similar symptoms.

When it comes to allergy symptoms in dogs, the key thing to look out for is itching. Research shows that itching is the most common symptom of seasonal or environmental allergies in dogs.⁸

The itching caused by seasonal allergies in dogs may cause them to exhibit certain behaviors. Look out for the following:

Excessive itching or scratching
Excessive licking, nibbling, or biting, especially of the paws
Rubbing their face on things, like the floor or on furniture
General discomfort

These behaviors can be a sign that your dog has irritated skin. Other environmental allergy symptoms include red skin and fur loss, which can be caused by the behaviors described above.

To be clear, these signs don't necessarily mean your dog is experiencing seasonal allergies. They can be signs of other allergies, like contact allergies. Or they could be a sign that something else is wrong.

If you're unsure, check with your veterinarian. They'll be able to help you figure out what's happening to your furry friend and how you can best support them.

How to Support Your Dog

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to support a dog experiencing symptoms of seasonal allergies.

One of the best methods is also the simplest: avoiding the allergen itself. However, this is often easier said than done, especially during allergy season when pollen seems to be everywhere.

If you can't avoid the allergen, the next best step is supporting the systems in your dog's body that are responding to that allergen. That includes the skin, of course, but also the immune system, which is inappropriately responding to that allergen.

Several great supplements are available that can support seasonal skin allergies.

Maintaining Histamine Levels

Histamines play a crucial role in allergies. They are organic compounds produced by the immune system of both humans and dogs in response to various stimuli, including allergens. When produced, histamines bind to several different receptors, causing various physiological effects.⁹

Unfortunately, those effects include itchy skin.¹⁰

Therefore, one great way of supporting a dog with seasonal allergies is helping them maintain normal histamine levels. And one way of doing that is with functional mushrooms.

Research suggests functional mushrooms can help the body maintain normal histamine levels. There are many different kinds of functional mushrooms, and several of them have shown promise in scientific studies.

For example, one study found that reishi mushroom extract helped maintain normal histamine levels.¹¹ Another study found that the mycelium of turkey tail mushrooms can support the immune system.¹² And a 2025 review of research into Lion's Mane mushroom concluded that it can help the body maintain a normal inflammatory response.¹³

You could grab a supplement based on one of these functional mushrooms. Or one that blends multiple mushrooms (and their potential benefits) into a single supportive supplement.

Earth Buddy's Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture for Pets does exactly that. It contains a blend of five potent functional mushrooms: Reishi, Turkey Tail, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, and Agarikon. Together, these mushrooms help support normal histamine function.

Earth Buddy sources its mushrooms from USDA-certified organic facilities and uses third-party laboratory testing to verify potency.

Supporting Detoxification and the Immune System

Supporting the immune system is crucial in supporting dogs with seasonal allergies. So is supporting your dog's detoxification process.¹⁴

Toxins can undermine this process. In turn, that can make it more difficult for your dog to respond to allergens.¹⁵

One compound that is closely connected to the immune response and detoxification processes in dogs is glutathione.¹⁶ Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that can protect cells from oxidative stress, supporting the natural detoxification process.¹⁷ In fact, it's sometimes called the "master antioxidant," because of its ability to bind to harmful compounds, making them easier for the body to eliminate.

Research has also found that glutathione can support immune function and help dogs maintain a normal inflammatory response.¹⁸

So, research has established the powerful potential benefits of glutathione. The difficulty lies in delivering it to where it's needed in your dog's body. Glutathione supplements are normally delivered orally, but some of the glutathione can be lost during digestion.

Earth Buddy's first-of-its-kind Liposomal Glutathione was developed to counter this exact problem. Here, the glutathione is encased in tiny bubbles of fat. These protect the glutathione through digestion, helping it actually reach cells intact for maximum effectiveness.

This Liver Detox System also contains other powerful ingredients that can support natural detoxification and a normal immune response, including L-Lysine and Milk Thistle extract.

Soothe Skin

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Supporting the internal processes linked to seasonal allergies is important. But so is supporting skin health.

After all, seasonal allergies often manifest as irritated or itchy skin.

Research shows that CBD can help soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies. For example, a 2025 review concluded that CBD can help maintain normal moisture content of skin.¹⁹ An earlier review found that CBD can support skin health and provide support for seasonal skin allergies.²⁰

Of course, it's important to make sure that any topical products are high-quality.

"There are potentially all kinds of junk put in lotions and salves and things," explains Nikki Burnett in conversation with Earth Buddy founder Sean Zyer. "It may also have a lot of toxic junk in it, too. So we want to stay away from that."

Earth Buddy uses organic hemp grown on a small, regenerative farm in Colorado, ensuring it's single-origin and extracted without harsh, toxic chemicals.

Our Paw & Skin Balm for Dogs & Cats combines that all-natural hemp extract with a blend of organic butters and botanical extracts to soothe irritated skin and moisturize dry paws.

Promoting Relaxation

Stress can cause all sorts of problems. It's even linked to allergies in dogs. Stress can worsen seasonal allergies in dogs.²¹

"The nervous system, because it is that master control system … is the one that is sending information to all the other systems about whether they should panic or not panic," explains Dr. Casar Andre in conversation with Earth Buddy founder Sean Zyer. "So if we can get the nervous system in line, we have a much easier time at directing all of these other systems.… The nervous system gives us the ability to teach the animal resiliency."

One great way to help your dog manage normal stress is CBD. Research shows CBD can help promote relaxation and maintain normal nervous system function in dogs.

For example, a 2024 study found that CBD Supplementation reduced signs of stress in dogs subjected to a car ride.²²

There are plenty of ways to give your dog CBD. CBD Oil is a great choice. You can give it to your dog straight from the dropper, mix it into their food, or use it to make your own CBD-infused dog treats.

Of course, you can also grab professional CBD treats. Earth Buddy offers several high-quality CBD chews that can help promote relaxation. Our Pumpkin Hemp Hearts each contain 4mg of CBD, Duck & Apple Chews 5mg of CBD, and Beef & Pumpkin Chews 10mg.

Conclusion

Seasonal allergies are more common in dogs than you might think, and research suggests they are becoming more common. The most common signs center on itchiness.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to support your dog. Functional mushrooms can help maintain normal histamine levels, liposomal glutathione can help support the immune system, and CBD can promote relaxation and soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies.

Keep Reading: How Long Does It Take a Dog To Digest Food?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Figure Out If My Dog Has Allergies?

To figure out if your dog has allergies, keep an eye on their behavior. Look out for excessive itching, scratching, licking, nibbling, and rubbing. All these can be signs your dog's skin is irritated, which is the most common sign of seasonal allergies in dogs.

Dog allergy symptoms can vary. Other possible symptoms include red skin and fur loss.

If you're not sure, check with your vet. They'll be able to help you figure out what's going on and how you can best support your furry friend.

What Is the Most Common Dog Allergy?

Skin-related allergies, including skin allergies, are the most common dog allergies. They are more common than food allergies.²³

What Can I Give My Dog For Allergies?

There are plenty of supplements that you might consider giving your dog to support them.

For example, research shows that functional mushrooms can help maintain normal histamine levels. Consider Earth Buddy's Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture for Pets, which blends five powerful functional mushrooms into a single supportive supplement.

Research also shows that glutathione can support and enhance the immune response. Glutathione is also a powerful antioxidant, which can help support your dog's natural detoxification process. Earth Buddy's Liposomal Glutathione is a unique supplement that delivers glutathione in capsules of fat, helping the antioxidant reach cells for maximum effectiveness.

A CBD Paw & Skin Balm for Dogs & Cats can help soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies. CBD Oil and Hemp Hearts can promote relaxation.

Sources

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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.

How Can You Tell if Your Dog Has Allergies?

Key Takeaways

Allergies In Dogs

Allergy Season

Common Symptoms