Seasonal Allergies in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

If your dog gets itchy at the same time every year, seasonal allergies might be to blame. Whether your pup is dealing with itchy skin, watery eyes, or recurring yeast issues every allergy season, this guide breaks down what's actually happening in their body, how to spot the signs, and what you can do about it.

These issues can stem from a lot of places: food sensitivities, pest activity, yeast, or environmental allergens like pollen and grass. Knowing the difference matters because the right treatment depends on the right diagnosis.

What are Seasonal Allergies in Dogs?

Like humans, your dog’s body has a natural defence system, a.k.a. their immune system. Under normal circumstances, the immune system identifies allergens as anything it sees as potentially harmful.

When an allergen is present, the body creates antibodies specifically designed to fight that allergen.

While we don't know exactly what causes allergies to develop, we do understand the process your dog's body goes through to cause the external reactions that make our pets suffer. 

When a perceived threat is detected, your dog's body creates antibodies that bind to the allergen. This triggers nearby cells to release inflammatory compounds to try to destroy the intruders, leading to the physical reactions you may see in your dog.

When it comes to seasonal allergies, the body overreacts to a seemingly harmless substance, like pollen or dust mites, and creates these antibodies anytime the substances are identified in the body.

What Causes Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

Similar to seasonal allergies in people, allergies caused by your dog's environment may come and go throughout the year, and the severity of symptoms can vary year to year.

If your dog’s flare-ups are routinely affected by weather or increase depending on how much time your dog spends outdoors, then your dog might be reacting to one of these common seasonal allergens:

• • Pollen
  • Grass
  • Hay 
  • Mould
  • Fungi
  • Pests

Though many of these allergens are present in your environment, exposure to them can increase during certain times of the year.

Seasonal allergies are hard to diagnose, so before you try to pin the reactions on an allergy, it's important to rule out other issues that can affect skin and coat health.

Ruling Out Fleas, Ticks, and Mites

Some seasonal allergies can align with flea and tick season; reactions that may look like allergies could be caused by some unwanted intruders.

Check your dog's body for signs of pest activity. Fleas and ticks are usually visible to the naked eye, so a full-body inspection can reveal if your dog has some hitchhikers. Check close to the skin and in warmer, less exposed areas like their belly, neck, and ears.

Learn more about how to spot pests and treat them quickly in our Ultimate Guide to Fleas on Dogs and How to Remove Ticks on Dogs.

Mites are another nuisance pest that can irritate your dog's skin and lead to allergy-like symptoms, especially in the ears. Mites are microscopic, so you won’t be able to see them, but you may see the dark brown or black dust or dirt they leave behind.

If pest activity is combined with persistent skin issues, your dog might be experiencing an allergic reaction to the pests. This is uncommon, but it can happen. Here are some pest allergies that are possible:

• • Flea Bite Allergies: Some dogs are actually allergic to flea bites, so instead of the usual minor reactions you may see in a small infestation, your dog might end up with a more severe reaction like hives, swelling, and hot spots.
  • Dust Mite Allergies: Dust mite allergies in dogs can be a nuisance because they are just about everywhere. Milder symptoms can be managed by reducing exposure, especially in your home. Clean and vacuum regularly. Consider an air purifier.

Monitor pest activity and reactions closely during treatment. Worsening of prolonged symptoms is a sign that you should reach out to your vet for the next steps. Any extreme symptoms should be treated as an emergency, like difficulty breathing, swelling around the muzzle, lethargy, or excessive drooling.

Common Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

Allergic reactions in dogs usually present as skin and coat issues. Itchiness, hot spots, and dry skin are common symptoms of both food and seasonal allergies in dogs, but seasonal allergies can sometimes bring on symptoms that you might be familiar with if you suffer from them yourself. Here are the most common symptoms of environmental allergies in dogs:

• • Runny or swollen eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing or coughing
  • Nasal or eye discharge
  • Yeast infections
  • Atopic Dermatitis

Unfortunately, seasonal allergies are trickier to manage than food allergies. Food ingredients can be eliminated from your dog’s diet and treats, but nature is here to stay. While you can limit exposure to some extent, most seasonal allergies will need to be treated with natural supplements, topical treatments, or medications.

If exposure to certain environments, like lakes, hay, or heavy brush, is the catalyst for your dog's allergies, then do your best to avoid them, but when it comes to some of the common environmental allergies in dogs, like pollen or grass allergies, eliminating exposure is just not an option.

Many visible signs of atopic dermatitis are similar to what you’d see in common allergy reactions. The difference is that the reactions tend to be more widespread, more severe, and are very difficult to get rid of.

Here are some of the signs that you’ll see in dogs suffering from atopic dermatitis:

• • Extreme itchiness
  • Excessive licking
  • Fur loss
  • Obvious redness of the skin
  • Swelling around the eyes and muzzle
  • Scabby, crusty-looking skin

The persistent symptoms of atopic dermatitis can be frustrating and uncomfortable for your dog, so you need to approach this health issue from all angles. Boosting digestion and immunity through diet and supplements, and assessing your environment for triggers, is the best place to start.

More advanced dermatitis, especially when paired with very irritated, broken skin, may require antibiotics to prevent infection and support the healing process.

Treating Atopic Dermatitis

As a secondary reaction to common seasonal allergies in dogs, identifying the underlying allergy is the first step. You can heal the skin with medications and topical treatments, but the issues will return if your dog continues to react to something in his environment.

This might mean making some changes around the house, like removing irritating chemical air fresheners, changing their diet to eliminate triggers, or adjusting your dog’s outdoor play schedule to limit exposure.

Once you’ve identified and eliminated the allergens in your dog’s environment (if that’s even possible), you can start to treat the skin itself.

This can start with a round of antibiotics from your vet to get the reaction under control. Then you can use topical treatments to reduce itchiness and add fish oils or other omega fatty acids into your dog’s diet to help promote healing.

Hot Spots

Another nuisance reaction that can stem from seasonal allergies is hot spots. These irritated, inflamed sores can be painful, itchy, and hard to treat.

Hot spots often occur when your dog has been repeatedly licking, scratching, or chewing on themselves. The repeated irritation allows bacteria under the skin, leading to an isolated infection that will worsen if not treated.

They can show up quickly and can be triggered or worsened by allergies, fleas or other pest activity, or from the fur staying wet for too long.

Here are some ways to identify hot spots:

• Warm to the touch
• Raised or bumpy red patches
• Excessive licking
• Oozing or strong odour (sign of infection)

Fast treatment can help reduce the severity and pain. Check out Hot Spots on Dogs for tips to treat and prevent these reactions.

Identifying and Responding to Dog Allergy Symptoms

We get it. Seeing your pet suffer in any way is hard! Whether it be from itchy skin, irritated hot spots or something else, you’re not the first to lose sleep at night wondering how you can ease their discomfort.

Dealing with allergies in pets can be extra tricky. Often, we’ll find ourselves playing a game of this or that. With so many variables to rule out, sometimes it can be difficult to determine just what’s causing your dog to have an allergic reaction.

Here are some easy steps to identify and start managing symptoms:

1. Do a Full Body Check

If you’ve noticed your pet showing symptoms of food or seasonal allergies, don’t panic. Start by giving them a physical check over. You want to identify any abrasions, hot spots, irritations, or odd bumps on their skin.

2. Look for Pests

Scan them for signs of pest activity to rule out things like flea, tick, or mite infestations that could be triggering their symptoms. Learn about identifying and managing bug bites on dogs to help you choose the right treatment plan.

3. Rule out Food Causes

Consider the possibility that it may be a food allergy or a digestive issue that is causing the uncomfortable symptoms. For tips on identifying and managing food allergies in dogs, check out our blog all about Food Allergies in Dogs.

4. Soothe the Itch

To offer some immediate relief, give your dog a nice, warm bath with a sensitive-skin shampoo or even just water to soothe their irritated skin! A fresh, clean coat can reduce the itch or soreness, at least temporarily, while you try to figure out the underlying cause.

5. Talk to Your Vet

Your vet is your best resource for diagnosing and identifying your dog's allergies. Skin scrapes, bloodwork, and other tests can help rule out health issues and may even help identify the specific allergy trigger.

Treating Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

Many allergy symptoms can be treated at home using natural and homeopathic remedies, while others may require prescription medications to quickly manage more severe symptoms. Understanding that allergies are more than just skin deep means that you need to treat the whole body, not just the surface.

If you are a stickler for natural solutions, then you may be hesitant to rely on costly vet visits or prescription medications to manage the symptoms. We understand, but don’t cut off your nose to spite your face, so to speak.

Talk to your vet about both prescription and natural options. The right solution should be personalized to your dog's unique needs.

Natural Treatments

With milder allergy cases, seasonal allergies can be successfully managed with some natural and homeopathic remedies. These supplements are designed to manage symptoms, but will not eliminate the underlying cause. These are ideal for seasonal allergies that only require temporary treatment, but some are safe to use all year round.

Look for products that focus on:

• • Reducing inflammation
  • Supporting immune health
  • Boosting digestion
  • Conditioning skin and coat
  • Healing minor abrasions
  • Preventing infection

By combining these remedies with lifestyle changes to reduce allergen exposure, you can ditch reactions and keep your dog comfortable.

While natural remedies can be effective for many dogs, more severe reactions may require prescription medications to quickly eliminate symptoms and help the healing process.

Prescription Treatments

Unlike dog food allergies, environmental and seasonal allergies are hard to avoid and sometimes hard to pinpoint. Your vet can do bloodwork, skin scrapes, and urinalysis to eliminate underlying conditions that may be facilitating more extreme allergic reactions.

A shot or a prescription medication may not be your preferred method, but they can sometimes be the best way to get a handle on the symptoms so that you can identify the cause and support healing using natural and holistic treatments.

Different circumstances may require different medications. Here are some common medications that are prescribed to manage allergy symptoms:

• • Apoquel: This immunosuppressant is a popular choice for dealing with unavoidable allergies, like grass or dust mites. It suppresses the immune system to prevent the reactions that cause damage to your dog’s skin.
  • Prednisone: Prednisone is a corticosteroid. It mimics a natural hormone that your dog’s body already produces. Its job is to suppress immune system responses and reduce inflammation.
  • Cytopoint: This injection mimics antibodies by locating and neutralizing the proteins that send the itch signal to the brain.

Talk to your vet about both natural and prescription solutions for managing allergies. Not all prescriptions are meant for long-term use, and some may have side effects like weight gain, changes to appetite, and other health risks.

A combination of short-term prescription treatments, lifestyle changes, and natural or topical supplements may be used to keep reactions at bay for the whole season and beyond.

Best Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

When it comes to at-home treatment, there are a number of natural remedies that can help manage seasonal allergy reactions and support skin and coat health.

From topical treatments to supplements, these treatment options can boost overall skin and coat health and reduce reactions caused by unavoidable environmental allergens. 

Some of the most effective remedies are also the simplest. Even when nature is the trigger, it can also be the solution. Here are two of the best supplements for helping to manage seasonal allergies in dogs:

Bee Pollen Powder

Bee pollen has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and some holistic practitioners use it as a gradual desensitization tool. For some dogs, small and consistent exposure to local pollen may help the body become less reactive over time.

It's not a replacement for treatment, but it can be a useful part of a broader natural approach. Start with a very small amount and increase slowly, and skip this one entirely if your dog has a known reaction to bee stings.

You can source local bee pollen when available. Locally sourced pollen can be very effective, as the pollen is specific to the common allergens of the region you are in.

Or try Blends for Life Bee Pollen powder. It is a Canadian-sourced pollen powder that contains micronutrients and quercetin to support your dog's immune function.

Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is increasingly popular for skin care in dogs due to its antimicrobial and wound-healing properties, making it particularly relevant for hot spots and irritated skin caused by atopic dermatitis. It can also be fed to your dog. Its vitamin and antioxidant properties help boost immune function.

The NZ Pet Food Co. Manuka Honey is an easy to use supplements. It's made from 100% Raw New Zealand Manuka Honey.

More Natural Allergy Remedies for Dogs

Let's look at a few more seasonal allergy supplements for dogs:

• • Naturvet Aller-911 - Specifically designed for seasonal allergies, this supplement contains antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids to combat pollutants, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity.
  • Vet's Best Hot Spot Spray - Soothes and conditions hot spots and irritated skin with natural ingredients like tea tree oil and aloe vera.
  • Adored Beast Yeasty Beast Protocol - This three-stage treatment is designed to kill yeast, minimize the effects of yeast die-off, and detoxify your dog's liver of built-up toxins to support immune responses.
    
  • Skout's Honor Probiotic Spray - Good bacteria is a great way to help your dog's skin help itself. Skout's Honor Probiotic Spray is a soothing topical treatment to manage irritated and itchy skin and promote faster healing.

Seasonal Dog Allergies FAQs 

Can dogs be allergic to pollen?

Yes, pollen can trigger allergic reactions and skin issues in dogs. Seasons with high pollen activity can lead to recurring or persistent reactions that require treatment throughout the season. Talk to your vet about treatment options and at-home remedies.

What are the typical signs of seasonal allergies in dogs?

Dogs with seasonal allergies may exhibit symptoms such as itching, excessive scratching, sneezing, watery eyes, ear infections, skin redness or rashes, and sometimes gastrointestinal issues. 

How can I help manage my dog's seasonal allergies?

Managing seasonal allergies in dogs involves various strategies, including improving digestion, using air purifiers, and possibly giving prescribed medications like antihistamines or allergy shots, as recommended by your veterinarian.

Are there any natural remedies for seasonal allergies in dogs?

Some natural remedies may provide relief for dogs with seasonal allergies. These can include supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, herbal remedies, and digestion boosters like probiotics.

Can seasonal allergies in dogs be prevented?

While seasonal allergies can't be entirely prevented, you can take steps to reduce your dog's exposure to allergens. Keeping your home clean, avoiding outdoor activities during high pollen counts, and using allergy-friendly grooming products can help minimize allergic reactions in your dog.

Can Dogs Be Allergic to Cats?

Yes, it's possible for your dog to be allergic to your cat and the other way around. It's not a common allergy, though, so it shouldn't be your first guess.