Seasonal Allergies in Dogs and Cats

Although the warmer weather is often a welcomed change from the cold temperatures and snowy precipitation, it often brings seasonal allergies to both humans and pets. We often think of allergies as itchy, runny eyes, sneezing, and sore throats. However, in our dogs and cats, it can present much differently. While dogs and cats can have allergic conjunctivitis (leading to watery, red, puffy eyes), most of the time their allergies are in the form of ear and skin problems. There is a slight exception with cats, where we can see respiratory signs such as coughing and sneezing, whereas this is very rare in dogs. Seasonal allergies start in the early Spring and continue through November, depending on the weather. They are typically the worst near the end of the season (August-October).

The allergen, whether it is grass, pollen, leaves, dust, etc, is exposed to the skin barrier, causing the immune system to overreact. This hypersensitivity reaction creates itchy skin, ears and paws. Dogs will often chew their paws, shake their head, and scratch a lot. Cats will often over groom and scratch their ears and face. This inflammation, along with their physical scratching, will often create secondary bacterial and yeast infections that perpetuate the problem.

While we cannot avoid the outside world – as even pets that remain inside are not immune to the pollen that will float in or get tracked in with our shoes – we do have options to provide relief:

1. First, be sure to rule out parasites such as fleas and mites. Mites are microscopic and fleas can hide. Just because you cannot see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Also, many pets react to the flea saliva, meaning the flea can bite and jump away and the pet is still left with an itch. Therefore, effective prevention is warranted.
2. Bathing, if possible, is often the first line of defense. It is something that can be done at home without any internal/systemic medications. Use a shampoo formulated for dogs, allow the lathered shampoo to sit on the fur for 10 minutes, and rinse thoroughly with tepid water. Be sure to pay attention to their “under side” and the paws. Often, bathing 1-2 times weekly is needed. There are also medicated shampoos that will help with infections in addition to physical removing the allergens, if indicated.
3. Antihistamines actually don’t do a great job in most pets, but they can be considered. Not all are safe and the doses can be quite different than what humans would take, so be sure to consult your veterinarian before administering them.
4. An exam with your veterinarian is important. They can help rule out concurrent infections, prescribe supplements and medications, and work with you to try to prevent these flare ups as much as possible. They can also help to determine if there is any other contributing sensitivity, such as food.

Dealing with allergies can be frustrating. We don’t always know what the culprit is and even if we find out, we cannot always avoid it. And anyone who has been up all night with their scratching pet knows how desperately we want to help them. Thankfully we can provide relief, and in some cases, we can prevent flare ups. Your veterinarian is there to help you get your pet through the itchy season and back to enjoying themselves as quickly as possible