 Summer is just around the corner, and the signs are everywhere! Flowers are blooming, trees are green, and your pet’s seasonal allergies are likely starting to flare up. If your pet suffers from seasonal allergy symptoms, you’re not alone. As many as 10-15% of cats and dogs have environmental allergies, just like us.
Your pets don't need to deal with itching, sniffling, and sneezing all summer long. In this month’s blog, we’re looking at common allergy triggers, symptoms, and treatment options. Common Culprits: Environmental Allergies Environmental allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless, everyday substances. These allergens can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin when your dog touches them. Allergens can include outdoor triggers like pollen, dust, and mold, or household allergens like dust mites and even dander from other pets. While some environmental allergies peak in the spring and summer, others persist year-round. Both dogs and cats are most commonly allergic to:
Another common allergen, flea saliva, is transmitted when pets are bitten by fleas. When pets with allergies come into contact with an environmental trigger, the immune system responds by releasing chemicals that cause inflammation. Unlike most people with allergies, animals generally experience atopic dermatitis, or skin inflammation. Signs Your Pet Has Seasonal Allergies When you think of “spring fever,” you probably imagine a scratchy throat, stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes. However, these symptoms are less common in our animal friends. While symptoms will vary depending on the type and severity of your pets’ allergies, some common symptoms include:
Less commonly, pets may show respiratory symptoms. Sneezing, an itchy, runny nose, and irritated, watery eyes are all well-documented symptoms of allergies. If you notice these symptoms tend to occur seasonally, it’s more likely that your pet has environmental allergies and not a systemic or food-related allergy. Treatment Options for Pets with Allergies Allergies can be a complex, chronic issue for pets with hypersensitive immune systems. As such, there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for pets with allergies. Instead, we recommend taking a personalized approach to determining triggers and creating the best course of treatment. A few options your veterinarian may recommend include: Minimizing Contact with Allergens First things first: get to the root cause of your pet’s seasonal itch. Check with your vet to rule out a bacterial or fungal infection or parasites like ringworm, fleas, and ticks. Then, try keeping a symptom log to help figure out your pet’s individual triggers. If symptoms are year-round or worse in the winter, you’re likely dealing with an indoor allergen. If symptoms peak in the spring or fall, try to figure out what’s in bloom when your pet’s allergies peak. Reduce contact time with allergens like pollen by wiping down pets with a wet washcloth each time they come indoors. Frequent brushing and bathing can also keep allergens from sitting too long on the surface of your pet’s skin. Over-The-Counter Medications & Supplements Does your pet have mild or intermittent allergies? Many OTC allergy medications and supplements are safe for pets, but only when appropriately dosed! NEVER give human medications without first consulting with your veterinarian, and ALWAYS make sure you’re not giving multi-symptom medications. In addition to anti-histamines, your vet may recommend dietary supplements to reduce inflammation. The omega fatty acids found in many fish oil supplements can help relieve itchy skin or prevent skin infection. Many specialty pet food stores sell supplements, treats, and tonics that claim to provide natural allergy relief. Always talk to your vet about the viability of these products before making them a part of your pet’s diet. Prescription Medications Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to manage persistent, severe, or year-round allergies. The goal of these medications is twofold: to relieve allergy symptoms and to address the hypersensitive immune system response. To relieve symptoms, your vet may prescribe a combination of topical and systemic treatments. For example, medicated shampoos and wipes to reduce skin irritation in conjunction with a steroid or monoclonal antibody medication to reduce immune‑driven inflammation. The best treatment plan for pets with allergies will address the root cause and not just the symptoms! Pets with severe, year-round symptoms might benefit from immunotherapy injections. These shots are typically given by a veterinary dermatologist. They work by gradually introducing small amounts of the pet’s specific allergens into the system. This process, which generally takes 3 to 12 months, helps desensitize the immune system to the allergen, preventing the allergic overreaction. Comprehensive Treatment for Pets’ Allergies Whether your pet needs seasonal relief or year-round allergy management, Mountainside Veterinary Hospital is here to help! Our veterinarians are passionate about helping pet owners understand their treatment options and making sure pets get the care they need to thrive! And, as a locally-owned veterinary clinic, we have strong ties to local veterinary specialists. If your pet requires advanced treatment, we’ll work hand-in-hand with their dermatologist to ensure seamless medical care.  Whether you’re growing your furry family or adopting your first pup, it’s exciting to bring home a new puppy! But between puppy-proofing your home, picking up supplies, and navigating those first few weeks it’s normal to feel a little daunted. As your local veterinary clinic, we love getting to educate folks about how to set their new puppy up for a lifetime of health and happiness. In this helpful how-to, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of puppyhood and give you the info you need to care for your new best friend. Before Bringing Your New Puppy Home A little preparation goes a long way for keeping your new puppy safe, comfortable, and entertained. Ask yourself the following questions:
While raising a puppy requires a lot of adaptability, having plans in place heads off some unknowns as your household gets used to its newest member. Talking through the above questions can help the whole family get on the same page about your puppy’s routine and care. Now, time for a visualization exercise. Take a long, careful look at the area where your puppy will spend the most time. Imagine you have a mouth full of sharp, brand new teeth and nothing feels better than chewing with them! What needs to be moved (cords and cables, shoes, precious heirlooms, etc.) and what needs to be secured or blocked off (cabinets that contain cleaning supplies or trash cans, etc.)  Feel free to save, print, or download for easy reference! The First Few Days
The first few days set the tone for your puppy’s routine, comfort, and trust. Although it’s an incredibly rewarding experience, raising a puppy is not for the faint of heart! Puppies are energetic, curious, and still learning the rules of their new life. They require plenty of patience and dedicated energy. The first day. It’s time to make your puppy feel like your home is their home! Take things slow and give your puppy breaks if they seem overstimulated or anxious. On the first day, give your puppy some calm, quiet exploration time. Puppies explore with their mouths, so keep a close eye to prevent unwanted chewing. Use treats and praise to reward good behavior like sitting, coming when called, and playing with toys. If you have other pets, start with short, supervised introductions one animal at a time. The first night. It’s been a big day for everybody! Puppies need a lot of sleep—as much as 20 hours per day. To help your puppy work off any excess energy, make sure they get a chance to play about an hour before bedtime. Now, where does your puppy sleep? Experts recommend using a crate or playpen so puppies have a quiet, enclosed place to sleep at night. Not only does this give them a “den” to feel safe in, it also prevents unwanted nighttime potty accidents and chewing. Plus, crate training can be a powerful tool when it comes to potty training. The first week. During the first week with your puppy, you’ll start to build a bond that lasts a lifetime. Yes, your puppy needs food, water, sleep, and potty breaks. But just as importantly, they need safety, predictability, and connection. Even sitting on the floor nearby while your puppy explores can create trust and foster a sense of security. Positive reinforcement, gentle training, and play are three great ways to build an unshakeable bond with your new puppy. Start building name recognition by saying your puppy’s name and giving them a treat when they look at you. Aside from bonding, use the first week home to reinforce potty training and get your puppy used to their daily routine! Consistency is the name of the game. Try to make sure they rest, play, go out to potty, and eat at the same time every day. A structured schedule will help your puppy adapt to their new surroundings faster and more confidently. It also helps your puppy learn faster and reduces potty accidents! Time Together vs. Time Alone Building a bond with your puppy is an important part of your early days together. But it’s also crucial to encourage your puppy’s independence! Including some alone time in your puppy’s daily routine can reduce separation stress later on. Some puppies—and even adult dogs—experience anxiety when their family leaves the house. Signs of separation anxiety can range from whining, pacing, and barking, to destructive habits like destroying toys and furniture. To help them work through this, start slow and gradually increase the amount of time they are alone. Your puppy may initially bark or whine when you leave, but as you practice they will learn to cope with their alone time. Remember: when leaving puppies unattended it’s important to have them in a crate, kennel, playpen, or a thoroughly puppy-proofed room to protect both the puppy and your home. When Should Your New Puppy See The Vet? We recommend getting your puppy into the vet within a week of adoption. During this first establishing care appointment, we’ll do a thorough physical exam, check for parasites, and make sure they’re on schedule with vaccines. If your puppy isn’t already microchipped, we can also get that done during their first visit. Preparing for Your First Vet Appointment We love getting to watch puppies grow up! During your puppy’s wellness visits, we'll practice low-stress handling and use distractions, like tasty treats, to create positive associations with veterinary care. Before your visit, you’ll want to gather:
The first few trips to the clinic are also a great time to discuss food and nutrition needs, recommendations for training and socializing, and how to prevent parasites like fleas, ticks, and heartworm. Congratulations & Welcome to Puppy Life! Navigating puppyhood requires a little preparation, a LOT of patience, and a pinch of creativity. At Mountainside Veterinary Hospital, we’re proud to offer comprehensive veterinary care for every stage of life. As always, if you have any concerns or questions about your new puppy, our veterinarians are here to help! |
CategoriesArchives
May 2026
|
RSS Feed
Contact Us
Mountainside Veterinary Hospital
www.mountainsidevets.com [email protected] Office: (971) 405 - 1111 Fax: (503) 498 - 5322 |
Hospital Location
12655 SW North Dakota St Tigard, Oregon 97223
|
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00a - 6:00p
Saturday: 8:00a - 4:00p Give us a call today to schedule your appointment! (971) 405-1111 
|
Site powered by Weebly. Managed by BT Copywriting.