Springtime Allergies & Dogs

Think that humans are the only ones who get seasonal allergies? Your dogs can, too! Here are some signs that your pup might have seasonal allergies, and just what you can do about them. 

Signs of Seasonal Allergies:

• Watery eyes (any clear watery eye specifically)
• Runny nose and/or sneezing
• Repeated licking, especially around the paws
• Ear-scratching
• Hair loss
• Coughing/respiratory congestion

Causes of Seasonal Allergies:

• Grass
• Weeds
• Fungi
• Mold
• Pollen

How to Help Your Pup:

• Vet Visit
• First and foremost, continued scratching/allergy issues should be addressed by a pet. This is the safest thing to do in order to ensure that they don't have any deeper underlying issues.
• Identify Triggers
• This is always difficult, because there can be lots of triggers in a seasonal allergy situation. However, if you notice your dog always sneezing/reacting to a certain area of the yard or to a certain room in the house, do some investigating to see if there's an environmental issue you can remove/address.
• Use Medication
• You should only do this after consulting with your veterinarian, but sometimes medication is the best option for a dog's seasonal allergies. It's often in the form of benadryl or a more canine-specific medication. 
• Use Hypoallergenic Products
• While regular baths can dry out skin if the right products aren't used, regular bathing with hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner can help improve a dog's skin allergies so that their skin isn't as itchy.
• Explore Different Foods
• While seasonal allergies are typically caused by environmental issues, sometimes choosing the right food helps with skin irritation. Sensitive skin foods can always help.

The great thing is - Fresh Patch always has your back! If the pollen count is too high, you can keep your dog away from the allergens outside.