Common Fall Allergies For Dogs

Allergies affect both dogs and their owners all year round. These allergies can be from a variety of things. Most people only expect seasonal allergies to occur in the Spring, but all seasons can come with their own set of environmental allergens.

There is a wide range of types of allergies, all that may or may not affect your dog. Dog allergies themselves are a reaction to foreign substances by the dog’s immune system. These can come from reactions to foods, things on their skin, and environmental allergens. Fall allergies for dogs are not a complicated thing to deal with, and following these tips will help you and your get through it.

These allergies come from what your dog is eating. These food allergies have a wide range, the most common for a dog being beef, dairy and wheat. The least common dog food allergies are fish and rabbit. Some breeds of dog are more prone to having food allergies than others, including Boxers, German Shepherds, Retrievers, Dachshunds, and more. Food sensitivities can also show gastrointestinal signs like vomiting or diarrhea, as well as showing themselves as skin allergies.

Skin allergies present themselves as itchy skin that your dog will be noticeably itching and scratching, even chewing. These skin allergies can show up anywhere on their body, even on their paws. Skin allergies frequently come as a result of food allergies, environmental allergens, or flea allergy dermatitis. Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction to fleas on the dog's skin, resulting in red, inflamed and itchy skin.

Acute allergic reactions occur when your dog comes into contact with something that it is severely allergic to. These allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, are very severe and lead to swelling of the airway, inability to breathe, and a sudden drop in blood pressure. This could result from things like a bee sting, or contact with an allergen your dog has a severe reaction to.

Environmental allergies come most often as a result of grasses pollinating. Different grasses pollinate at all different times of the year. The most common human environmental allergy is known as “hay fever,” and is a result of grasses pollinating. The most common of these grasses to pollinate that causes allergies is ragweed.

Many grasses that pollinate in the Fall can be allergens for both pets and their owners. The most common grass to cause allergies is ragweed. Other grasses that pollinate in the Fall that can also cause allergies are sagebrush, Russian thistle, plantain, cocklebur and lamb’s-quarters. Of course, your pet might not only have allergic reactions to grasses pollinating in the Fall, but also to Trees pollinating in the Spring, or other grasses pollinating in the Summer.

The Fall season is an optimal time for mold to grow in your home. Mold will grow rapidly in cold, dark places, and molds can be allergens and toxins to your and your dog. To deal with this, you should make sure to fix any moisture leaking issues, and regularly clean your dog’s beds and towels. Wash things with a drop of bleach to be sure to kill any present mold.

Dust mite issues can worsen in the Fall when you keep your windows closed and your house sealed. Make sure to frequently air out your house!

There are many symptoms that could show up if your dog is experiencing any sort of allergies. Dogs typically do not show the same symptoms of an allergy that humans do, such as sneezing, but instead mostly scratch and lick or chew their skin. This response to allergies can cause hair loss, open sores, and secondary skin infections, so it is important to notice these signs as early as possible.

Itchy skinis typically the first sign of an allergy noticed by owners, as their dog will be licking, chewing, or scratching one spot very often. This is caused by the pollen landing on their skin, and then their skin has an allergic reaction to pollen.

Itchy ears is another very common symptom in dogs with allergies. Allergies can also show up in the ears of a dog through recurrent ear infections, even without other typical allergy symptoms. Many pet owners may not notice this and not realize that the source of recurrent ear infections is actually due to allergies.

Your dog’s eyes may appear more watery than they usually are. The watery eyes may also come with your dog rubbing them, and your dog will just be visibly more uncomfortable regarding his or her eyes.

Excessive paw licking is a typical telltale sign of your dog experiencing allergies. This means that your dog will be nearly constantly licking, or even chewing, their paws. This is a typical symptom of skin allergies, as your dog’s paws will be very itchy, tempting them to lick and chew.

The first step in any case where you are questionable about your pet’s health is to take them to the veterinarian. The veterinarian will be able to identify what exactly is affecting your dog and will be able to prescribe any necessary treatment or medication.

Salmon oil contains high levels of DHA and EPA, two essential Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These fatty acids help protect against skin allergies, among many other benefits. Salmon oil in itself should be a part of any dog’s diet, especially in the case of a dog experiencing allergies.

Washing your dog with anti-itch shampoos will help decrease the itchiness that your dog is experiencing. This will allow for them to have less stress and anxiety, and help clear up any inflamed skin as they won’t be constantly itching it.

Antihistamines help a lot with seasonal allergies. Giving your dog the correct dose of antihistamine is crucial as it will lessen any symptoms of itching or watery eyes that they might be having.

Coconut oil can be applied topically to any irritated site on your dog’s body to quickly reduce irritation and make your dog’s skin feel better, reducing their temptation to lick or chew their skin.

There are many different Fall allergies for dogs, and they present themselves as many different symptoms. If you notice any of these symptoms of allergies, the best idea is to first take them to the Veterinarian, to pinpoint what the allergies are. If that’s not an immediately available option, there are other options you can use to help reduce the symptoms they are experiencing, like Salmon Oil, Coconut Oil, or antihistamines. Using this guide will surely get you and your pup through any Fall allergies they may experience.

Meet The Author