Did you know our beloved pets can also suffer with allergies? PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing shares what you need to know about allergies in dogs and how best to care for your pet. 

Nina said: “We’re officially in ‘allergy season’ – as with humans, there are different types of allergies our pets can suffer with – and also many different triggers. Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy.  

“Different types of pollen can cause symptoms at different times – such as tree pollen from early spring, and grass pollen a bit later in the year, though some poor pets may be allergic to lots of different types of pollen.  

“Depending on where you live, what is causing your pet’s allergy may be tree pollen in March & April , grass pollen in May, June and July and flowering weeds in June, July and August.  

“Symptoms usually worsen when the pollen count is at its highest, and allergies can last for weeks or months. Moving from spring to summer, we see a rise in the grass pollens as well as tree pollens, so you may find your pet affected differently as the seasons go on.  

 “In humans, allergies often cause symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes and shortness of breath – while we can see runny noses and eyes in our pets, it’s more common for pets to show skin symptoms, such as itchiness.  

“Signs your pet may have hayfever or allergies to things like pollen are more likely to include: 

• Licking or biting their paws 

• Lots of scratching and red or sore looking skin – especially around their ears, eyes, between their pads on their feet, or on their tummy.  

• Some pets may also suffer with recurrent ear infections.  

• Your pet may also appear tired or lethargic  

• Or constantly shaking their head and rubbing their ears or muzzle (nose area).  

“Pets will often have more than one trigger that kick starts an allergy response and this can make identifying the cause of a skin allergy very difficult.   

“The allergy could be almost anything – fleas, food, pollens, grass or mites to name just a few. Your vet might recommend allergy testing for your pet to find out what your pet reacts to the most.  

“Unfortunately, this doesn’t guarantee that every allergen is identified, and you might not be able to completely avoid their triggers. But there are still lots of ways to help your pet even if you don’t know all of the allergens that set them off.  

PDSA’s top tips to help your pet if they are struggling with hayfever:  

• Get advice from your vet – If you think your dog has a skin allergy, it’s best to get advice from your vet early on. Most pets will scratch every now and then and can lose a bit of fur during a seasonal moult. But if your pet seems to be scratching more, you see bald spots or changes in their skin (such as redness or scabs), it’s best to contact your vet. 

• Skin problems often get worse over time and can become more difficult to treat if left, especially if the skin becomes inflamed or infected. Skin allergies can also be very uncomfortable or even painful for your pet, so it’s best to get help sooner rather than late. 

• Wipe your pet’s fur, particularly their paws and muzzle after every dog walk, or when your cat returns home after venturing outside to help remove any tiny traces of pollen. Specialist pet wipes or even just a damp face cloth are ideal for this.  
• Clean bedding – make sure your pet’s bedding is washed and hoovered weekly as this will help remove any pollen that has built up from their trips outside during the week.    

• Keep up with at-home grooming – a good daily brushing will help to remove any pollen that is clinging to your pet’s fur. Keeping longhaired dogs’ fur trimmed short could help reduce pollen problems.  

• Wash your dog weekly – a weekly bath can help to get rid of any lingering pollen – a specialist hypo-allergenic pet shampoo from your vet is ideal – many have anti-bacterial ingredients to help avoid skin infections if your pet does decide to have a good scratch. Cats are pretty good at self-cleaning so won’t need a weekly bath, and small pets shouldn’t be bathed to wash off pollen. 

• Flea control – make sure your pet’s flea control is kept up to date, as regardless of the cause of their allergies, irritating fleas will only make them itchier. Although it may be tempting to create a home remedy when your pet is in pain, never give them medication without a prescription. This can be dangerous in the wrong doses, or for certain species.   

• Check the weather for dog walks – when it comes to hayfever, prevention is often better than cure, so limit your dog’s exposure to pollen in the first place. Try to plan your walks before dawn or early in the evening on high pollen count days as the pollen count may be lower at these times – an added benefit of avoiding the hottest time of the day.    

• Keep your dog on a lead – while we know dogs love to play in the grass, this can lead to their fur becoming covered in pollen. Keeping your dog on a lead near grass and considering an alternative location for your daily walks, such as a beach if nearby, or a less rural environment, may help with allergies. 

• Medication and supplements – your vet may recommend medication to help your pet feel more comfortable during the summer months. There are lots of different treatment options available, including tablets, injections and medicated shampoos. Also consider adding an animal skin supplement or oil to your pet’s food – not just during the summer months. These supplements can help strengthen the skin’s barrier, soothe itchiness, and calm sensitive skin.  

“We always recommend seeking veterinary advice if you think your pet is suffering from allergies, or they are showing any of the symptoms.  

“Never give your pet any medication without speaking to your vet first, your vet will be able to recommend the best line of treatment for your individual pet – what might solve one pet’s symptoms, might not work for yours.” 

For more advice, head to PDSA’s website: www.pdsa.org.uk