Seasonal Allergies in Dogs:

Signs, Solutions, and a Little Extra TLC

It’s that time of year again…we’re sneezing and itching, our noses are running, and our eyes are red. Seasonal allergies are upon us. With the natural turn of the season, pollen spreads, the air starts to dry out, and crops are being harvested—all culminating in one unavoidable reality: “Gesundheit!” But what about the rest of your family? Cue the dog in the corner, scratching and licking their paws.

Dogs experience allergies in many ways similar to us humans. We often overlook these as just a dog with an itch, but it can be much more than that. Many dogs are affected by seasonal allergies just like us, except they can’t tell us, and the signs can often be harder to see.

If you notice that tell-tale itching, licking of the paws, redness in the eyes, and sometimes even ear infections, these can all be signs of allergies. It’s important to take steps around your home that can help your poor pup out. Be sure their bedding is washed more frequently, as allergens often collect in the fibers of beds, carpets, and couches. Keeping an air purifier running can also help reduce airborne allergens—not a bad idea for your own benefit as well. We also recommend keeping those windows shut on high-pollen-count days. I know, that fresh fall air is very tempting, but balance is important.

We also suggest having some sort of cleansing wipes on hand. These can provide easy relief for your pet by removing some of the allergens after they’ve been outside. You can use simple baby wipes, or there are dog-specific wipes made to help soothe areas around their face and paws. NexDerma and Earthbath carry a few of our favorites.

It’s especially important at this time to maintain a regular grooming schedule as well. Groomers often see things underneath those thick coats at the skin level before they become a bigger problem. Regular sessions will also keep excess allergens from settling on your dog for too long. There are many shampoos out there that can help with irritated skin—but not all are created equal. Many of them don’t clean a dog well, so while they may help the skin feel better, they aren’t doing a good job removing the allergens from the coat. The chlorhexidine found in these shampoos gives them skin-calming qualities. At Serenity, we’ve researched and tried a lot of shampoos and found a great one from Showseason Pet Supplies called Soothe. It has worked wonders on many of our itchy pet friends by providing relief while effectively cleansing the coat. We’ve found the effects can last for almost a month in mild cases and about 2-3 weeks in severe cases.

A newer offering to the pet industry is Thera-Clean microbubble treatments. These doggie “bubble baths” work wonders for deeply embedded allergens. The system creates microscopic bubbles that penetrate the pores of the dog’s skin and then burst, pushing allergens out and away. This revolutionary technology has made a huge impact on extreme allergy cases in dogs. The treatment contains no chemicals, so it is especially beneficial for dogs with reactive or sensitive skin—as well as their owners who may have sensitivities to scents. Don’t just take our word for it; visit their website for before-and-after pictures and testimonials: www.thera-clean.com.

We hope these ideas give you a few options to help that poor, itchy pup in your house. Every dog is different, just like us—otherwise, there wouldn’t be a whole aisle dedicated to antihistamines! Be sure to speak to your vet about the best options for your particular dog, and feel free to reach out to us for a free consultation if you have any questions about our offerings.