Sniffling, Itching,& Scratching, Oh My! A Guide to Managing Pet Allergies

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:

• Pollen: flowers, grasses, trees, and weeds
• House dust mites
• Mold/mildew
• Human and/or pet dander

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:
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• Itchy, red, or inflamed skin
• Excessive scratching or licking, especially around the ears and paws
• Rubbing the face on the floor or furniture
• Hair loss or painful “hot spots.”
• Chronic, recurring skin or ear infections

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.
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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! 
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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.
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