Can Dogs Get Hay Fever?

Just like humans, dogs suffer from hay fever – a pollen allergy which causes a reaction when inhaled. The symptoms may look a little different in dogs and people, but you may notice your dog shows certain symptoms around the same time of year you feel them. They’re more likely to show symptoms in the Spring and Summer months. When they show, these symptoms can even help to tell you what pollen they are sensitive to.

If they start to show symptoms early in Spring, then it’s likely caused by tree pollen. From May onwards, grass pollen can cause issues before the peak month of June, just as weed pollen becomes added into the mix. Your pup can be sensitive to any one of these pollens, if not all of them.

Hay fever symptoms in dogs are a little broader than in humans. You may still see some sneezing or eye irritations in your beloved pet, but it can also include them excessively rubbing their face when they’re feeling irritated. It can also lead to sore eyes or overgrooming of their paws. You might start to notice that they’re missing fur in places and the skin underneath can look sore from all of that grooming. They could be scratching a lot or shaking their head. 

We always enjoy walking our four-legged friends more during the warmer months but if your dog has hay fever, this can just exacerbate the issues and lead to secondary problems like, eye infections and open wounds on their skin from trying to soothe the irritated areas.

You can treat any sore areas of skin with topical ointments like Johnsons’s Skin-Eeve Cream.  If your pooch doesn’t normally suffer from hay fever or it’s outside of Spring and Summer, they could still be having an allergy, but in reaction to something else.

Other common allergies can include dust in the environment or even fleas. If you’re not sure what’s causing the reaction you can first try treating the most common possibility by making sure your pup is up to date on their flea treatment. Products such as Frontline Spot On for Small Dogs and Puppies will quickly rid your pup from pesky fleas so you can understand better if they’re suffering from hay fever or not.

There are many things you can do at home to help a pup who is suffering from hay fever. Their eyes can become easily irritated with the pollen, so wipes are great to help remove any dirt build up from around them caused. Creams can also help to soothe their skin as well as gentle shampoos to wash out any pollen from their coat. Hypoallergenic shampoos like Johnsons Sensitive Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo are great for dogs with irritated skin as the oatmeal can help to calm any reactions.

Your pup may need medicated ear drops to help with any inflamed or infected skin in their ears, but if their symptoms get any worse than contacting your vet or seeking advice from Jolleys Pet Clinic will help to figure out if they need more intensive treatment for their hay fever.

If your pup has hay fever symptoms that are bothering them to the point of needing to see your vet, sometimes they will recommend the use of antihistamines to reduce their symptoms.

Many of the antihistamines we are told to give our dogs by vets are actually produced for humans. There are a number of hay fever tablets that are suitable for our dogs to take like Piriton or Benadryl. The active ingredients don’t pose any risk to them as long as the dosage is correct which you will need your vet to work out.

There are a few different ways you can help your poor pup actually enjoy the warmer weather with you instead of being shut inside to keep them away from the pollen in the air. Keeping your windows closed can help restrict the amount of pollen getting into your home. You can even get air filters to run during the day when the pollen count is at its highest to try and keep their environment as free from it as you possibly can.

Walking your pooch early in the morning or later in the evening when the pollen count drops will be much more comfortable for them so they’re safe inside when it gets higher.

The Spring and Summer months can be a little harder on our pups who suffer from allergies, but for all your doggy essentials to keep them comfortable and happy, take a look in store or online.