Spring is a beautiful time of year, bringing new beginnings, warmer weather, and blooming flowers. However, for some pets, spring brings seasonal allergies, which can cause serious discomfort and itchiness. Monitoring your furry friend for allergy-related signs is important. Owners often miss the signals, since pet allergies manifest differently. We tend to cough and sneeze, while pets mostly itch, scratch, and lick their paws excessively. To help alleviate their discomfort, Tennessee Avenue Animal Hospital has put together this quick guide on seasonal allergies in pets.
Allergies in pets
Three allergy types are most common in pets:
- Environmental allergies — Seasonal allergies typically occur when pets inhale or come into contact with allergens, such as pollen, molds, weeds, grasses, dust, and trees, in their environment. Although most allergies begin seasonally and become more severe in the warmer months, left untreated, allergies can become a year-round problem.
- Flea allergies — Fleas are probably the most common cause of allergies for many pets, and flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), which is a severe reaction to flea saliva, is one of the most frequently treated pet allergies. A single flea bite can cause the reaction, yet prevention is simple with flea control products and eliminating fleas from the home.
- Food allergies — Your pet may be allergic to an ingredient in its food, although this is the least common pet allergy. Contrary to opinions on social media, grain is not the most common allergen in pet food—pets are much more likely to be allergic to proteins, including beef, dairy, chicken, and soy.
No matter their cause, allergies can make your pet miserable. Allergy signs include:
- Head shaking
- Excessive scratching, licking, or biting of skin or paws
- Rubbing the face or body on the carpet or furniture
- Redness of the skin or inside the ears
- Foul or yeasty odor from the ears
- Hair loss
- Hot spots
Chronic ear infections can also signal allergies. If your pet is suffering with reddened, waxy, or foul-smelling ears, they need veterinary attention.
In some cases, allergy signs are more subtle, but they still make your pet feel miserable. They often are restless because they cannot get comfortable, lose their appetite, or sneeze, wheeze, or cough in addition to, or instead of, itchy skin.
How to help your itchy pet
Understanding what causes your pet’s allergies is the first step to help them feel better. Seeing your veterinarian first is essential—they need to examine your pet and may need blood work, skin cytology, cultures, and skin allergy and blood antibody testing to diagnose the exact allergens affecting your pet, and then formulate a treatment plan. A veterinary consultation is essential, as diagnosing allergies can be long and complex, especially if your pet has multiple allergies, and a diagnosis is necessary before treatment can be started.
Once a diagnosis is made, the veterinarian may recommend medications such as steroids or antihistamines and fatty acid supplements (e.g., omega-3) for skin conditions. Pets with secondary skin or ear infections may benefit from antibiotics or antifungal medications. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (i.e., allergy shots) may be recommended, or acupuncture, which has been shown to benefit some allergic pets.
Preventing allergy symptoms at home
Making your pet more comfortable requires not only treating the pet but also reducing allergens in your home. Try these steps:
- Bathe your pet once a week using a hypoallergenic pet shampoo and conditioner.
- Launder pet bedding and blankets weekly.
- Vacuum carpets and furniture often.
- Wipe your pet’s feet or wash them in lukewarm water whenever they come in from outside.
- Use air purifiers with HEPA filters inside your home and keep windows closed.
- If your pet is heavily infested (e.g., with fleas), you may need a professional exterminator.
Unfortunately, allergies cannot be cured, but they can be managed effectively—often with simple measures. Our goal is your pet’s comfort, so never hesitate to call our Tennessee Avenue Animal Hospital team if you have questions about pet allergies or to schedule an appointment.