Allergy season for dogs

The seasons change, temperatures drop and a new allergy season arrives. Protect your dog by keeping an eye out for allergy symptoms and problems in the fall.

Being on the lookout for allergy signs can help prevent your dog from going through a period of sneezing and scratching without being diagnosed.

Below, we’ll take a look at the main causes of allergies affecting your puppy this fall, as well as preventative measures you can take to help your pet avoid them.

Before you begin, keep in mind that if your dog shows symptoms or unusual behavior, always seek the advice of your veterinarian.

Allergic rhinitis in autumn

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from seasonal allergies and if your dog sneezes again or does so more frequently between July and September, he may be showing signs of allergy.

One of the main causes of allergies in dogs is ragweed. The amount of ragweed pollen is highest during peak allergy season. When the flowering period is long, ragweed is more frequent.

Interestingly, a single flower can produce up to a billion grains of pollen in the air. Therefore, ragweed can cause sneezing and itching in dogs.

 

One type of secondary allergen that spreads in autumn is mold.

When trees and other plants drop their leaves for the winter and the weather begins to cool, the accumulation of fallen leaves on the ground provides an ideal environment for mold spores to grow.

Mold can be poisonous to dogs. If you see fallen leaves accumulating in your garden, remove them: it’s the best way to keep your puppy healthy.

This summer, many dogs and people have been affected by poor air quality due to the prolonged fire season and stronger-than-usual storms.

Increased air pollution and warm, moist air can be irritating and worsen allergy symptoms.

Environmental allergies in dogs can present a wide variety of symptoms, from the mildest to the most severe. Some of the symptoms are

• Scratch
• Dry, flaky skin
• Frequent licking and biting of paws
• Swollen, red legs
• Occasional cough, sneezing, or runny nose

Many dogs exhibiting allergy symptoms can be relieved through various treatment plans recommended by their veterinarian.

Be proactive

It’s important for pet owners to keep an eye out for allergy season to protect their dogs. Here are some tips on how to be proactive during the fall allergy season.

 

Follow AccuWeather’s allergy forecast: AccuWeather offers a wealth of information on most allergens, including ragweed spores and mold.

If you expect a day of high pollen, it is recommended to avoid outdoor activities until the allergens decrease.

As with children, wash your hands and feet after playing outdoors at all times during allergy season.

Keep outdoor play areas by cleaning fallen leaves that have accumulated in dog play areas.

Concern about parasites

Flea populations soar in autumn due to cooler outdoor temperatures and increased rainfall.

Although some pet owners don’t see the need to prevent fleas and ticks year-round, these pests can cause year-round problems, fleas can carry tapeworm larvae that can grow into adults, another important reason to prevent flea infestation.

This is a perennial issue that needs to be addressed proactively for your puppy’s ongoing health and safety.

Ticks are another common pest at any time of the year when the temperature remains above frost. In recent years, tick populations have expanded their range.

A major problem with the expansion of tick populations is that ticks can cause problems not only for our dogs, but also for humans. It’s important to be proactive in treating ticks so we can all do our part to help reduce tick-related diseases, which are contagious to both dogs and humans.

Finally, giardia is an intestinal parasite that occurs naturally in the environment, such as ponds, lakes, streams and contaminated soils.

This parasite can cause stomach upset and, in some cases, diarrhea in dogs. Most giardia outbreaks peak in late summer and early fall and are most frequent during the rainy season.

Description

The best contact for the diagnosis and prevention of parasites is your veterinarian. Your veterinarian is the one who best knows the parasites and allergens in your area and will be able to treat your puppy best.

Traveling with your puppy

If you travel to places where there are other dogs, keep an eye on your dog’s behavior to make sure he stays healthy and happy.

When you go home, watch for signs and symptoms of rhinitis, mild cough, or changes in appetite.

If symptoms and behavior persist for more than a day or two, it may be time for your veterinarian to get you checked out.

As much as we love to travel and visit our loved ones, it can be overwhelming for our dogs. Sometimes, it is best to leave the puppy at home or with a friend or family member.

Think about your pet

No one likes the side effects of allergy season, least of all your dog. Make an appointment with your local veterinarian for an autumn wellness checkup and have your dog play more and scratch less.

 

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