With the warmer weather just around the corner, many of us will suffer from seasonal allergies. But did you know that your pet can also suffer from seasonal allergies? In this guide, being a vet, I will describe seasonal allergies and how to diagnose and attempt to minimize effects seasonal allergies in dogs.

What are common Seasonal Dog Allergens?

Seasonal allergies are caused by airborne particles inhaled or coming into contact with your pet's skin. The most common causes of seasonal dog allergies are pollens from trees, grasses, weeds and some molds. The season when these pollens are most prevalent is called "allergy season." The severity will vary depending on where you live and the climate in that area.

Seasonal Allergies in Dogs - Symptoms

The most common symptoms of seasonal allergies in dogs include:

• Itchy skin
• Excessive scratching/rubbing/ Biting
• Ear infections
• Excessive paw licking or chewing
• Runny eyes and nose
• Sneezing

How to tell if you're Dog has Seasonal Allergies?  

If your dog is affected by seasonal allergies, you're not alone. Many dogs suffer from allergies every spring, summer, or fall, depending on their allergies.

• Itchiness:Does your Dog seem more itchy than usual? If you notice him licking his paws or rubbing up against furniture, there's a good chance he's suffering from an allergic reaction.
• Redness:Red patches may appear on the skin if your fur baby has an allergic reaction.
• Hair loss: Allergic reactions may lead to hair loss or dry skin on your pet. You may also see raised bumps on the surface of their skin, which can be very painful.
• Ear infections:It may be expected for your canine buddy to occasionally scratch at his ears, but when your Dog keeps scratching until he makes himself bleed, you know there is a problem.

How to Diagnose Seasonal Allergies

To make a diagnosis, your vet may consider a few options;

1.      Skin scraping to rule out fleas, Ticks and Mites

• Flea Allergy Dermatitis is one of the most common causes of skin irritation in dogs. So look for flea dirt — tiny black specks that resemble pepper and appear on your doggie’s skin or fur. In mite and tick infestation, the itching is on the base of the tail, hindquarters, elbows, and tip of ears.

• Your dog can become cured from this type of allergies when used Permethrin sprays or Ivermectin injection. But in case of seasonal allergies your dog shows no response.

2.      Intradermal Skin Tests

This procedure involves injecting small amounts of allergens just below the surface of your canine friend skin and observing for reactions. If your dog is allergic to any of these allergens, a red bump will appear within 15 minutes.

3.      Blood Tests

Blood tests can also detect seasonal allergies and check for antibodies against specific allergens.

Prevention of Seasonal Pet Allergy

To avoid seasonal pet allergies, you should:

• Reduce your furry friends exposure to allergens by keeping grass and weeds trimmed, cleaning their feet after walks, and avoiding areas where pollen is numerous.
• Change your clothes and wash your hands after coming inside if you suspect exposure to allergens.

Conclusion

If your dog is constantly scratching, rubbing its face against furniture, or sneezing, they may be suffering from seasonal allergies. In this article, I've outlined the most common types of seasonal allergies and how you can help prevent them.

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