Supporting Your Pet through their Allergies
As early spring arrives, the earth awakens with the songs of birds. Their chorus grows louder as the air warms and nature comes alive with budding trees and emerging insects. These seasonal shifts remind us to stock up on Claritin, Allegra, and Benadryl as we brace for the pollen that May brings to our beautiful mountain community.
Like clockwork, we start noticing our pets experiencing their own allergic reactions. However, unlike our predictable sneezing and itchy eyes, their symptoms can be more subtle and mysterious. Just like us, our pets can suffer from allergies, and understanding the signs can help us keep them happy and comfortable.
Common Pet Allergies
Dogs, cats, birds, and bunnies—your most common household pets—can all have allergies. The most frequent types during spring, summer, and fall include:
Environmental Allergies – Triggers include grass, pollen, mold, dust, and insects.
Flea Allergies – A single flea bite can cause severe skin reactions from the flea saliva in dogs and cats.
Contact Allergies – Sensitivities to perfumes, essential oil diffusers, cleaning products, cigarette smoke, pesticides, flea and tick treatments, chemicals on the ground, bedding for small pets, and cat litter.
Medication & Vaccine Allergies – Some pets may react negatively to certain medications or vaccines.
Food Allergies – Dogs and cats can often react to specific animal proteins, while birds and bunnies can be sensitive to certain woods and plant materials.
Signs of Allergies in Pets
Watch for these symptoms, which may indicate an allergic reaction:
Skin Issues – Redness, swelling, hair loss, excessive licking, itching, hives, or skin sores.
Digestive Problems – Vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or loss of appetite.
Respiratory Symptoms – Sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, wheezing, or labored breathing.
Other Concerns – Ear infections, eye redness/discharge, anxiety, or lethargy combined with any of the above.
How to Help Your Pet
When to See a Vet:
Seek veterinary care if:
Symptoms persist, worsen, or become routine.
Your pet has difficulty breathing, wheezes, or develops a cough.
A cat, bird, or bunny is open-mouth breathing or panting (a sign of distress).
At-Home Treatments & Prevention
For insect stings or bites, dogs can be given Benadryl at a dosage of 1mg per pound of body weight of your dog.
After outdoor exposure, use pet specific wipes to wipe your pet’s paws and belly if they show signs of skin irritation.
Prevent flea and tick infestations with a reliable plan—though we don’t recommend topical treatments, as they can cause irritation and may not be effective for dogs who get wet frequently.
Each pet has unique allergies and sensitivities, so it’s important to research what they may react to and what substances are toxic to them. Also, consider your home environment—certain cleaning products, air fresheners, and pesticides can be harmful. If necessary, block off certain areas or switch to pet-friendly alternatives.
By understanding and managing pet allergies, you can help ensure a happier, healthier season for your furry (or feathered) friends. We hope this guide helps you plan ahead so you and your pets can fully enjoy the beauty of spring and summer—even if allergies come with the territory!