If you’re reading this, then I’m guessing you suspect your dog may have some type of seasonal allergy. It’s nearly that time of year, after all, when the sun shines and our dogs, like us, begin to cough and sneeze a bit more. Environmental allergies are super common, with estimates suggesting they affect around 25 to 30% of our four-legged friends. And those numbers appear to be increasing as the Earth warms up. Many veterinarians are seeing more dogs show up their clinics with itchy eyes and patchy skin. “With global warming and longer pollen seasons, they are becoming even more commonplace,” Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a veterinary medical adviser for Rover, told HuffPost.Here are five signs of seasonal allergies in dogs — and a few easy ways to bring them fast relief:They keep licking their feet.Dr. Mike Dugan, the managing veterinarian of Small Door Vet, said many dogs with allergies nibble at the skin between their toes. They do this because the allergen, which is often pollen, makes contact with their skin and, in some cases, is able to penetrate the epidermis, or the outermost layer of skin. The immune system can overreact to the allergen, according to Greenstein, and trigger an inflammatory response that causes a range of uncomfortable symptoms such as paw licking. Their skin is red and/or itchy.This inflammatory response can also agitate your pup’s skin and make it appear red and inflamed. According to Dugan, these patches of inflamed skin can develop anywhere. You might notice them between their toes, on their paw pads, around their eyes or near their underarm regions. These patches can become incredibly itchy. Greenstein said itch is a cardinal sign of skin atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin condition. But it can show up in other ways, too. “It can manifest as paw licking, face rubbing, or biting and scratching,” she said. Itchy, red skin is a telltale sign of dog allegies.They have upper respiratory symptoms.If your dog is coughing or sneezing more than usual, they may be reacting to something in the air. “Upper respiratory tract signs like sneezing and runny nose can occur in dogs, just like we see in people,” Greenstein explained. When a dog inhales an allergen, like pollen, the nasal cavity may become inflamed and irritated, which may result in stuffiness and sneezing, she said. Their eyes are watery.Allergic conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the lining of the eye, is another clue your dog might have allergies. “Airborne allergens can set off an overzealous immune response, setting off an inflammatory cascade,” Greenstein said.This issue tends to show up as red, itchy, and watery eyes, according to Greenstein. Other dogs may have a cloudy, gunky discharge near their eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis can show up in discreet ways, too — your dog my squint, itch their eyes or become sensitive to light, research suggests. They keep getting skin infections.You may also notice your dog is prone to skin infections. They might look like a rash, pustule or circular crusts. They might have a foul odour, Dugan noted, and can worsen your dog’s itching. According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, these secondary infections tend to appear on the belly, behind the front legs or near the base of the tail. Why does this happen? “The itching compromises the skin and normal resident bacteria are able to penetrate, resulting in the infection,” Dugan said.Here’s what to do if you think your dog has allergies:There are few quick tricks you can do to alleviate your dog’s allergies at home. Greenstein recommended wiping off their paws after walks, bathing them frequently, or even using a HEPA filter in your home to get rid of airborne allergens. It’s worth checking in with a veterinarian if the symptoms are impacting your dog’s quality of life or becoming more severe, Greenstein noted. In general, it’s wise to get in front of it and have your pup evaluated before they develop an infection, according to Dugan, since they can be more complicated to treat.That said, there are multiple treatments — including medications such as antihistamines, steroids, monoclonal antibodies and Janus kinase inhibitors — that can prevent and treat skin allergies and infections. “The most meaningful symptom relief often comes from prescription medications only available from your veterinarian,” Greenstein said. Related...13 Changes Veterinarians Would Never Ignore In Their DogsI Asked A Vet And A Trainer If Dogs Really Know When We're Sick, And WowVets Share The Most Common Signs Of Lyme Disease In Dogs
