Can Dogs Have Hay Fever?

Did you know roughly 10% of all dogs experience hay fever?1 Read on for more need-to-know info, plus the best science-backed supplements to give to your furry friend in allergy season.

Key Takeaways

Millions of dogs in the US experience hay fever each year.
Unlike in humans, the most common sign of hay fever in dogs is itchy, irritated skin.
One way to support a dog with hay fever is to reduce their exposure to allergens, such as by walking them when pollen counts are lower.
Another way is with supplements like functional mushrooms, which can help dogs maintain normal histamine levels.

See More: 10 Reasons Your Old Dog is Shaking

Why Dogs Develop Hay Fever

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

"Many dogs experience hay fever, also called environmental allergies or seasonal allergies. The most common sign of canine hay fever is itchy skin.”

Ah, allergy season. Every year, tens of millions of people across the US experience hay fever.¹

But it's not just humans who have to deal with hay fever. Roughly 10% of dogs also experience hay fever.² And research suggests that number is increasing.³

Human vs. Dog Hay Fever

Hay fever in humans and dogs is caused by the same thing: environmental allergens. But that doesn't mean your dog experiences hay fever the same way as you do.

If you're one of the many humans with hay fever, you likely know the signs. Sneezing, stuffy nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes, a tickly throat... The list goes on.⁴

However, dogs experience hay fever differently. The most common symptom in dogs is skin irritation, usually itching.⁵

Dog Hay Fever Symptoms

Your dog may react to that skin irritation in various ways. Look out for the following signs:⁶

Excessive rubbing of the face on the floor or furniture
Scratching
Licking and/or biting, especially the paws
Skin redness, thickness, or odor
Head shaking
Hair loss

As you can see, many of these behaviors are all in response to skin irritation.

It's crucial to look for changes in behavior. Scratching by itself isn't unusual, as we all get itchy sometimes. Too much scratching, though, could be a sign your dog is experiencing hay fever.

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

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Hay Fever Season

Environmental allergies can be caused by all kinds of things, from dust mites to bits of fiber. The most common allergen, though, is pollen. That's why hay fever is sometimes also called pollen allergy.

Many different plants produce pollen. Trees produce tree pollen. Grass, grass pollen. And so on.

Pollen is incredibly important for plant reproduction. But pollen molecules are so tiny that they can easily enter the body, where they can cause allergic reactions.

When these microscopic molecules enter the body, they cause the immune system to release histamines. Histamines are chemicals that help the body expel unwanted substances, including allergens like pollen.

However, histamines are also responsible for the symptoms of hay fever. This is especially true when the body overreacts to allergens that are actually harmless, like pollen, and produces excess histamine.

Plants don't produce pollen all the time. Instead, they usually release it at specific times of the year.

These times can vary. For example, grass pollen is usually more prevalent in summer, while tree pollen is usually more common in spring.

In general, though, pollen counts are highest in spring and summer.⁷ Pollen counts also vary throughout the day, with research showing they peak in the afternoon.⁸

Ways You Can Support Your Dog

There are two main ways you can support your dog with hay fever.

The first way is avoiding the allergens causing hay fever. Unfortunately, it's extremely difficult to fully avoid pollen during hay fever season. But you can minimize exposure.

Fortunately, there is a second way to support your dog. Plenty of supplements offer potential health benefits that can be useful during allergy season.

Functional Mushrooms

Remember, your dog's hay fever symptoms are caused by the immune system releasing too much histamine. Therefore, one great way to support your dog is to help them maintain normal histamine levels.

Research suggests certain mushrooms can do exactly that. The mushrooms with this potential ability are called functional or adaptogenic mushrooms.

One such mushroom is reishi mushroom. Research has shown that reishi mushroom extract can help maintain normal histamine levels.⁹

Other mushrooms have related potential benefits. For example, one study found that turkey tail mushrooms can help support the immune system.¹⁰ And a 2025 scientific review concluded that lion's mane mushroom can help the body maintain a normal inflammatory response.¹¹

Research also suggests that functional mushrooms can help promote relaxation.¹² As we'll discuss later, stress can make hay fever symptoms worse, so managing it is important when responding to hay fever.¹³

"Our pets experience all the same stress that we do, so we want to be able to help manage some of that stress," explains Earth Buddy co-founder Sean Zyer. "Mushrooms are a great option for that. Being adaptogenic, they help boost the immune system and help with things like dietary and environmental allergies."

You could choose a supplement based on one of the mushrooms we discussed above. Alternatively, you could grab one that blends multiple mushrooms together, thus providing the potential benefits of all of them.

Earth Buddy's Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture blends lion's mane, reishi, turkey tail, cordyceps, and agarikon into a single natural tincture that can promote relaxation and help your pup maintain normal histamine levels.

If tinctures aren't your thing, consider Earth Buddy's Organic Mushrooms powder supplement. It's the same five-mushroom blend, but in powder form. That makes it easy to mix into your dog's food.

All the mushrooms in these blends are either certified organic, triple extracted, or both. Earth Buddy uses raw or minimally processed ingredients for high-quality natural supplements.

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Glutathione

Another supplement that can help support your dog's immune system is glutathione.

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

Glutathione is an antioxidant. In fact, it's sometimes called the "master antioxidant." That's because it is able to combat oxidative stress and bind to harmful compounds, making it easier for your dog's body to eliminate them.

Sounds great, right? The problem lies in effectively delivering glutathione. It's usually administered orally, but your dog's digestive system can destroy it.

Earth Buddy created a first-of-its-kind Liposomal Glutathione to address this exact issue. In this supplement, glutathione is encapsulated in small bubbles of fat. These protect the glutathione for maximum efficacy.

CBD

As we mentioned, stress can worsen allergy symptoms.

Research has shown that CBD Can Help Promote Relaxation and maintain calmness.¹⁴ It does this by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, a complex system of receptors and signal molecules that helps keep your dog's body balanced.

"The CBD molecule is really powerful at slowing down the destruction of endocannabinoids," explains Dr. Casara Andre in conversation with Earth Buddy co-founder Sean Zyer. "That's a really lovely way to support what the body's already trying to do, without tipping it over into too much sedation."

One way to give your dog CBD is with Hemp Extract. Try mixing it into your dog's food or using it to make homemade treats.

Alternatively, grab some professionally made treats. Earth Buddy's Hemp Dog Chews come in a variety of flavors and strengths to fit your furry friend’s needs and preferences.

Skin Balms

Supporting skin health is also important. After all, it's your dog's skin that is often most affected by hay fever.

Studies have found that CBD can help soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies. For example, scientific reviews have concluded that CBD can help maintain the skin's normal moisture content and provide support for seasonal skin allergies.¹⁵

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

Wash Your Dog's Bedding

One simple technique that can help support a dog with hay fever is regularly washing their bed. When you wash their bed, you remove pollen and other allergens that might have accumulated there. In turn, that can reduce your dog's exposure to the allergens causing their hay fever.

Walk Early in the Morning

As we mentioned, pollen counts are usually highest in the afternoon. To lessen your dog's exposure to pollen, consider walking them in the early morning or late at night.

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Conclusion

Hay fever is common in both humans and dogs. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways pet parents can support their pup, whether they have hay fever or valley fever.

Plenty of supplements offer useful potential benefits. Functional mushrooms can help maintain normal histamine levels. Glutathione can support the immune system.

CBD can promote relaxation, and when used topically, can help soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies.

Consider utilizing these supplements in conjunction with techniques to reduce your dog's exposure to allergens, like washing their bed frequently and walking them when pollen counts are lower.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can I Give My Dog for Hay Fever?

Plenty of supplements offer potential benefits that could be useful when supporting a dog with hay fever.

For example, research shows that functional mushrooms like reishi can help dogs maintain normal histamine levels. Glutathione can also support the immune system. That's important because the immune system is what is causing your dog's hay fever symptoms.

Another great approach is to help your dog maintain calmness, because stress can worsen hay fever. Research shows that CBD can promote relaxation. When used topically, in a balm, CBD can also help soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies.

What Can I Give My Dog for Allergies Without Going to the Vet?

There are many supplements you can get without going to the vet. Earth Buddy offers several, which you can order from home.

For example, consider Earth Buddy's Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture. It contains a blend of five powerful functional mushrooms that can help your dog maintain normal histamine levels.

Earth Buddy also offers Liposomal Glutathione, which can help support your dog's immune system.

What Is a Home Remedy for Dog Allergies?

One great option is Earth Buddy's Paw & Skin Balm. It's a blend of soothing ingredients, like whole plant hemp extract and organic coconut oil, that can help soothe skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies.

Keep Reading: How Can You Tell if Your Dog Has Allergies?

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.

Can Dogs Have Hay Fever?

Key Takeaways