It’s finally spring! The sun is out, flowers are blooming, trees have fresh green leaves and you are happy, but… sneezing. For some of us, the dreaded hay fever has well and truly hit. Through the streaming eyes and runny nose you may see that your dog may be struggling too. It could be dog hay fever! So here are some tips on what symptoms to look out for and how you can make your dog feel more comfortable.
When does dog hay fever typically occur?
Between April and September are the most common times for people and dogs in the UK to experience hay fever symptoms.
Do all dogs get hay fever?
Any dog can be affected by hay fever. It is more common for hay fever to start before a dog is 3 years old. There are also certain breeds that seem to be more prone to hay fever than others, such as poodles and dalmatians. Ask your vet whether your dog’s breed is known to have hay fever.
What are the symptoms of dog hay fever?
The symptoms of hay fever in dogs are actually very similar to those seen in humans. Your dog may be experiencing any or all of the following:
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
However, what is more particular to dogs is the itching that they also experience. This can affect just part of the body or your dog may itch all over and develop a rash to go along with it.
What can you do to help a pet with dog hay fever?
There are a number of things that you can do to make your dog a little more comfortable
- Talk to your vet about medications that can be used to soothe the skin rashes or calm itchy, watery eyes. Antihistamines may also be prescribed and in extreme conditions injections may be necessary.
- Give your dog’s coat more attention. Bathe him more regularly to help wash away the pollen and trim his coat too.
- Keep his bedding clean by washing dog blankets in hot water. Doing this on a weekly basis can help to remove allergens.
- Add a vehicle-specific boot mat to the car so that you can reduce allergens in your vehicle with an easily cleaned rubber boot liner. It’s also useful for cleaning up after transporting a dog who’s drooling and sneezing a lot.
- Be aware of days when high pollen is forecast and adjust your outside activities accordingly. Walk your dog earlier in the morning and later in the evening when pollen counts may be lower. Stick to paved areas rather than grassy meadows.
Information given in this article is not a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional. Please consult a vet for advice specific to your dog.
