The weather in our area is starting to warm up as we head into the spring.  People and dogs alike are loving the opportunity to get outside and play more.  And we live a great area for outdoor play! Monmouth County is a wonderful place to be a dog in the spring, with many interesting dog friendly parks and beaches to explore.  Monmouth County Parks

Spring weather and more outdoor time means it’s time to make sure your dog is up to date on his flea and tick and heart worm prevention. It also sometimes means an itchy, scratchy, sneezy dog.

As humans know all too well, spring is a time of seasonal allergies. But did you know that just as humans suffer from allergies, dogs and cats can too?  Some breeds are more inclined than others to display allergy symptoms, but any dog can be affected.

Seasonal allergy symptoms in dogs include many of the same symptoms as human allergies like sneezing and watery eyes.  The most common sign of allergies in pets though is scratching, rubbing, and licking.  Grass can make a dog sneeze, but if he is sensitive to it will also make his feet itch, his skin itch, and his ears itch.  Scratching and chewing can become quite severe. Some dogs will start chewing their itchy feet and a couple days later will be hobbling around on swollen and bloody pads.  Other allergies may progress to a hotspot, leaving a section of your dog’s skin raw and oozing.  Allergies are also linked to recurrent ear infections.

While many types of allergies in dogs can manifest themselves as scratching and chewing, seasonal allergies will come up seasonally then fade as the allergen lessens.  If your dog or cat is showing signs of allergies for more than a couple weeks, it may be time to consider other sources of allergies (have you switched his food recently?).

Treatment for seasonal allergies is much like in humans.  Prevention is the first line of defense, so make sure your dog gets regular baths and brushing to remove pollen and other allergens.  It may help to wipe or rinse his paws when he comes inside.  Clean your air conditioner filters regularly and consider investing in an air purifier.  If the symptoms are increasing or troublesome your vet might recommend an over the counter antihistamine until symptoms let up.

Read more about seasonal allergies.