Your Pet CAN’T Ask for a Tissue: Understanding Seasonal Allergies in Dogs and Cats

When seasonal allergies arrive, most of us recognize the signs pretty quickly. Sneezing. Watery eyes. A runny nose. Maybe an itchy throat.

We reach for a tissue or an allergy medication because we understand what we're feeling.

Our pets can't do that.

A dog can't tell you that his feet have been itching for three days. A cat can't explain that her skin feels irritated. They communicate discomfort through changes in behavior—and when it comes to environmental allergies, those changes may look very different from the symptoms we experience ourselves.

Dogs and cats can develop reactions to allergens in their environment, including pollen from trees, grasses and weeds, as well as molds, mildew and dust mites. Some environmental allergies cause problems primarily during certain seasons. Others may affect a pet throughout the year or become noticeably worse during particular times of year.

That makes knowing what is normal for your pet especially important.

Why Aren't They Just Sneezing?

One of the easiest mistakes pet owners can make is looking for human allergy symptoms in an animal.

Sneezing, watery eyes and nasal symptoms can occur in pets. But environmental allergies in both dogs and cats frequently show themselves through the skin.

That means the clue may not be coming from your pet's nose at all.

It may be coming from his paws.

Watch for repeated licking or chewing of the feet, scratching, rubbing the face against furniture or carpet, reddened or irritated skin, or hair loss caused by repeated licking and scratching.

In dogs, commonly affected areas can include the paws, face, ears and belly.

Sometimes what appears to be a behavioral habit—such as constantly licking a paw—may actually be your pet's attempt to relieve itching.

Don't Forget the Ears

The ears deserve special attention.

Recurring redness, head shaking, scratching at the ears or repeated ear infections can sometimes have an underlying allergic component.

I see this personally with one of my own pugs. His allergy problems return yearly, making the seasonal connection much easier to recognize.

Allergic inflammation can also make the skin more vulnerable to secondary problems, including bacterial or yeast infections. That is one reason persistent itching shouldn't simply be ignored while waiting for allergy season to pass.

Once irritated skin has been damaged by repeated scratching, licking or chewing, you're no longer necessarily dealing with the original problem alone.

Cats May Tell You Differently

Cats deserve their own discussion because their signs can be easier to miss.

A cat that suddenly begins grooming excessively may not initially look like a pet with allergies. Owners may notice thinning hair or bald areas before they realize how much grooming has been occurring.

Other possible signs of allergic skin disease can include persistent itching, small scabs or irritated areas, particularly around the head and neck.

Because cats naturally groom themselves, the change may be subtle.

The question isn't simply, Does my cat groom?

It's: Is my cat grooming differently or more frequently than usual?

Changes from your pet's normal behavior are often where important clues begin.

Turn Your Calendar Into a Pet-Safety Tool

One of the simplest things you can do costs nothing.

Keep records.

If your dog begins licking his paws every September, write it down.

If itchy ears appear every spring, make a note.

If your cat begins overgrooming during a particular part of the year and then improves later, record that too.

Take photographs of irritated skin or areas of hair loss. Record when you first noticed the problem, whether it became worse, and when it improved.

You aren't trying to diagnose your pet.

You're creating a history that your veterinarian can use.

A single itchy episode may not reveal much. A pattern that repeats at approximately the same time for several years can provide much more useful information.

Not Every Itch Is an Allergy

This is an important distinction.

Itching does not automatically mean seasonal allergies.

Fleas, mites and other parasites, skin infections, food reactions and other medical conditions can produce similar signs. Environmental allergies may therefore be diagnosed partly by evaluating the pet and ruling out other potential causes.

That is another reason guessing—and treating based solely on that guess—isn't the best approach.

The symptom may look simple. The reason behind it may not be.

What Can You Do at Home?

Completely avoiding outdoor pollen isn't realistic for a dog that needs walks, exercise and bathroom breaks.

But you may be able to reduce how much of the outdoors comes back inside.

After outdoor activity, wiping your pet's paws and coat may help remove some of the pollen and other material collected outside.

Regularly wash pet bedding and keep sleeping areas clean. Maintaining a clean indoor environment may also help reduce exposure to dust, mold and other potential allergens.

If your veterinarian recommends bathing, follow the bathing schedule and use products appropriate for your pet's skin and condition.

And resist the temptation to automatically reach into your own medicine cabinet.

A medication or medicated product that is appropriate for a human isn't automatically appropriate for a dog or cat, and safe dosing can differ considerably between species and individual animals. Talk with your veterinarian before giving your pet allergy medications or using medicated skin products.

When Should You Call the Veterinarian?

Occasional scratching is normal.

Persistent or escalating itching deserves attention.

Contact your veterinarian when scratching, licking or chewing becomes frequent; skin becomes red, raw, swollen or develops sores; hair loss appears; ears become irritated or develop odor or discharge; symptoms repeatedly return; or your pet simply seems uncomfortable.

And remember that not every symptom involving the face or breathing should be treated as an ordinary seasonal allergy.

Difficulty breathing, significant facial swelling, collapse or other signs of a severe allergic reaction require immediate veterinary attention.

That is very different from the chronic itching commonly associated with environmental allergies.

Your Pet Is Communicating

Seasonal allergies aren't usually what we picture when we think about pet emergencies.

But pet safety isn't limited to dramatic emergencies.

It also means recognizing the quieter signs that something has changed.

Your pet can't walk into the room and say, “My feet have been itching all week.”

Instead, he licks them.

Your cat can't tell you her skin is irritated.

Instead, she may groom until her hair begins to disappear.

Those behaviors are communication.

The more familiar you are with your pet's normal habits, skin, ears, coat and behavior, the easier it becomes to recognize when something isn't normal.

So while you're reaching for a tissue this allergy season, take a moment to look at the dog scratching beside you or the cat grooming across the room.

You may not be the only one in the house who's uncomfortable.

Preparedness isn't only knowing what to do during an emergency. It's learning to notice the small signs early enough that they may never become one.

Because moments matter.