Spring is here! As lovely as the warmer weather and the bright colours may be, this time of the year also brings out the dreaded seasonal allergies. From itchy eyes, runny noses and general discomfort, we as pet parents are not alone in feeling the impact. Our furry friends also tend to be triggered by seasonal allergies. From trees, grasses, pollens, dust and more, these environmental pollutants may start to irritate you little fur kids.

We’ve put together a quick list of the most common signs that your pet might be suffering from allergies and a couple of treatment options you can look at. We do recommend though, that if you suspect your pet has a serious allergy, it’s always best to get a second opinion from your local vet.

Common signs of seasonal allergies in pets:

• Scratching and biting their coat or skin – both are an indication of itchiness.

• Red, inflamed or infected skin – as soon as they start scratching and biting, it leads to red and inflamed skin, which could in turn lead to secondary bacterial and yeast infections.

• Excessive shedding and dandruff.

• Hives – (bumps on the skin or raised tufts of hair) commonly seen on the sparsely haired areas such as the belly and armpits as well as the head, face, or sides of the legs. Hives can also be a sign of an insect bite allergy, also more common in spring.

• Compulsive licking – paw and belly licking are common signs of itchiness.

• Face rubbing – an itchy dog will rub his face up against surfaces such as carpets, couches or pillows.

• Scooting or licking their anal region – this is usually a sign of anal gland impaction, intestinal worms or allergies.

• Eye discharge – usually a watery eye discharge, but it can become a green or yellow mucoid discharge. Some dogs can also develop red, puffy eyes. Hair loss around the eyes is another symptom to look out for.

• Chronic ear infections – this can be either in the form of red, waxy, smelly ears or obsessive head shaking.

• Hot spots (moist dermatitis) – Commonly seen in areas with moist hair from biting themselves in areas like the sides of the body or tail base. Some breeds (like Labradors) are more prone to hot spots.

• Respiratory issues – difficulty breathing, runny nose, sneezing (or reverse sneezing) and coughing. This is a less common symptom, but more common in cats than dogs. Cats are more sensitive to environmental pollutants.

• Sensitive Skin – Dogs can often develop sensitive skin that twitches or crawls upon touching it.

Treatment for Seasonal Allergies

There is unfortunately no miracle cure for allergies but there are a couple of things we as per parents and use to help ease and treat seasonal allergies for our fur kids.

1. Fatty acid supplements: Depending on the cause of itchy or irritated skin, sometimes foods or supplements rich in fatty acid can help the problem. Fatty acids are important for your pet’s overall health. Whether included in their food, or added as a supplement, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids both work together to provide a natural way to alleviate or restore skin and other conditions.

2. Regular bathing with hypoallergenic shampoos : This can help remove possible allergens like pollen and grass that your dog may come in contact with as part of your daily routine.

3. Wipe off coat and paws: If bathing your pet is impossible, wiping them down daily to remove the allergens from the skin is also highly effective. Use a moist cloth or hypoallergenic or pet grooming wipes. This may be especially helpful if your pet’s irritation is localized to their paws.

4. Anti-histamines: OTC antihistamines (like Allergex and Benadryl) can be used for pets, but check with your vet before giving it to your pet.

5. Flea and tick preventative: With the warmer weather come numerous pests like tick and fleas that can cause great discomfort and irritate your pet’s skin. Protect them from the likes of these pests with regular tick and flea treatments.

6. Anti-itch sprays or creams: Topical treatments (e.g. Curatex, Biocort, Cortavance) will provide temporary relief, giving your pet a break from all that scratching.

7.Local honey: Local honey is often made from the same pollen that causes seasonal allergies. The idea is that by ingesting the honey, you or your dog will become more accustomed to the pollen. This is not scientifically proven yet, but it can’t hurt to try!

8. Ask your vet: If your pet’s allergies are severe, it’s always best to get in touch with your local vet who will be able to assist with controlling the allergy as well as identifying the route cause.

While seasonal allergies are an annual thing, their impact on your pet’s well-being can be reduced with proper treatment and active prevention measures. Not every approach will be right for every pet, but with a little trial and error, you can figure out how to keep seasonal allergies from slowing down your pet.