The 7 Most Common Seasonal Allergies in Dogs (And How to Manage or Prevent Them)

While we all enjoy different seasons and environments, there's one downside that affects many people and dogs: environmental allergies. You may not realize it, but dogs experience environmental allergies just like people do. And environmental allergies can really make your dog miserable.

Fortunately, there are ways to manage and even help prevent environmental allergies in your dog. But before we talk about remedies, let’s start by talking about what causes seasonal allergies in dogs and what sort of symptoms they can lead to.

Environmental Allergies Can Be a Big Problem for Your Dog

Scratching, Biting, or Licking

• These behaviors are typically intended to help alleviate itchy skin. Unfortunately, they often make the problem worse—which can lead to…

Skin Irritation, Hives, or Hot Spots

• Compared to humans, dogs are more likely to absorb allergens through the skin. That’s why some of the most common environmental allergy symptoms in dogs involve itchiness and irritation.

Rubbing Their Face

• If your dog starts rubbing their face against things, it could be a sign that their face is itchy and they’re trying to scratch it. It’s another form of itchy skin that shows up in a slightly different behavior.

Paw Licking or “Boot Scooting”

• Dogs’ bodies have a tendency to push histamines to their extremities, which can cause itchiness in their paws or rear ends—leading to activities like paw licking or boot-scooting to try and relieve it.

Respiratory Problems

• Your dog could start sneezing, coughing, or wheezing due to their environmental allergies.

Ear Itchiness or Infections

• Allergens can cause inflammation in your dog’s ears, which can lead to their ears becoming irritated, red, and even infected.

Hair Loss or Shedding

• Shedding is a common reaction to pollen allergies, and can be made worse by scratching or biting.

Most Common Environmental Allergies in Dogs

We’re almost ready to talk about how to manage your dog’s environmental allergies. But first, it’s helpful to know what might be causing them. If your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms described above, there’s a good chance it’s being caused by one of these common seasonal allergens.

Ragweed and Other Weed Pollens

Ragweed may just be the single most common environmental allergen in all of North America for humans—and yes, it can cause allergic symptoms in your dog, too. Ragweed pollination can start as early as July and tends to peak in mid-September, after many of the earlier springtime pollens have gone.

Tree Pollens

Tree pollen is another common cause of environmental allergies, which are typically worst in the spring. Depending on where you live, your dog’s allergies might be triggered by…

• Oak trees

• Birch trees

• Elm trees

• Cedar trees

• Ash trees

• Pine trees

• Poplar trees

If you’re ever unsure about what tree(s) your dog might be allergic to, start by figuring out what type of trees you have in your backyard. One way to do this is by downloading a free app to help identify your trees based on the appearance of their leaves. Then, look up those tree types to see if their pollen is considered an allergen—and what types of symptoms it causes.

Grass Pollens

Being allergic to grass is a little less common, but it does happen. If you notice that your dog’s symptoms get worse after playing outside in the grass, that might be the clue you need to diagnose your dog’s grass allergies. Just keep in mind that other pollens (like those from trees and weeds) can also land on the grass, so it’s not always obvious which pollen types your dog is reacting to.

Mold & Mildew

Does your dog get sick or have a reaction after a heavy rain or after spending time in a musty basement? If so, they might be having an allergic reaction to mold & mildew. In addition, there are some types of fungi that sprout during the rainy season—and your dog can also be allergic to the spores of these fungi.

Dust Mites

Just like humans, dogs can also be allergic to dust mites, which are tiny little critters that are drawn to dead skin cells. Unfortunately, there’s no way to completely avoid dust mites, since your dog’s skin is naturally shedding to a degree at all times. But keeping your dog and their environment clean—by giving them baths and cleaning the surface where they sleep—can help to minimize their contact with dust mites.

Flea Saliva

Yes, believe it or not, dogs can be allergic to flea saliva. It seems cruel, doesn’t it? The fact that your dog can suffer both from fleas (which are bad enough on their own) and from a flea saliva allergy?  This can also lead to worse allergy symptoms during flea season, which often overlaps with environmental allergies in the spring to summer months. So if you notice that your dog gets extra-itchy anytime they have fleas, it could be the case that they’re suffering from fleas and flea allergies.

Manage Your Dog’s Seasonal Allergies with WINPRO Allergy

It can be hard to watch your dog suffer from seasonal allergies. But with the help of WINPRO Allergy, you don’t have to!

WINPRO Allergy is the only effective allergy remedy for dogs on the market that contains blood plasma. That plasma works by traveling through your dog’s circulatory system to deliver healing antibodies to inflamed areas of the body, reducing allergy symptoms like itchy skin. And unlike most allergy treatments, it works both to relieve symptoms AND to help prevent them from coming back in the future.

In addition to blood plasma, WINPRO Allergy also contains these proven allergen-fighting ingredients:

• Pineapple stem to promote healing and calm inflammation

• Nettle root extract to minimize pain and soothe irritation

• Plant-based quercetin to act as a natural, side-effect-free antihistamine

This 100% natural & safe product is tested under strict USDA & FDA regulations to guarantee you’re giving your dog the safest, healthiest treat we can create.

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