Dealing with Fall Pet Allergies

Wait, dogs can get allergies too?

It’s a surprising fact to many, but when you think about it, it makes some sense. Dogs still have noses and respiratory systems. Interestingly enough, veterinarians even say that about 10% of dogs suffer from seasonal allergies, especially during the fall months. Obviously, you want to take care of your pooch as well as possible. So here are some signs to watch out for:

• Fur Loss
• Sneezing and Sniffling
• Coughing
• Nasal and eye discharge
• Change in fur color
• Excessive scratching
• Licking
• Chewing of body parts. 

You’ll notice that the most affected areas are the face, ears, and paws. 

Different Breeds Are More Likely to get Fall Allergies

There are a few breeds that have been proven to be more susceptible to allergies. These include:

• Dalmations
• Boxers
• Bulldogs
• Shepherds
• Retrievers
• Beagles
• Irish Settlers
• Terriers

Here’s What to Do

It’s pretty simple to keep your dog feeling comfortable while they deal with fall allergies. Most of it will have to do with regular cleaning of the home and pet.

Bathe Them Regularly

Regularly bathe your pet with a hypoallergenic shampoo. This will moisturize their skin while also removing a high number of non-living allergens*. Specialists recommend bathing your pet every 2-3 weeks, especially during the autumn months.

Soak Their Paws

As a pet stain removal and carpet cleaning specialist, we know that your dogs track in a lot into your home, so you should want to do this anyway. But the things they track in are also exacerbating their allergies so you have to get them off their paws as soon as possible. Even regularly wiping their paws after walks can help.

Deep Clean Your Carpet and Upholstery

Bringing in a professional carpet and upholstery cleaner in order to remove lingering non-living allergens* and dirt. Then maintain your clean surfaces by vacuuming every 5-7 days with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum.

Close Your Windows and Doors

You may want to open up your windows to enjoy some of that crisp fall air, but that air is also full of irritating non-living allergens*. Reduce the number of access points for non-living allergens* to enter your home by keeping doors and windows closed. 

Introduce Supplements

Your dog can greatly benefit from adding some key supplements into their diet. Supplements such as biotin or omega-3 can decrease itching and improve the health of your dog’s coat.

Dog Allergy Treatments

There are some easy ways to treat a dog’s allergies. Below are the two main methods of treatment:

1. Injection: Depending on the severity of the pet’s allergies, you may be able to give your dog an injection every few days, gradually decreasing the amount over time. 
2. Sublingual Immunotherapy under the Tongue (SLIT): Instead of giving an injection, you can just squeeze a pump of medication into the pet’s mouth. This will be a little more relaxing for the dog.

Always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet or introducing new medical treatments!