July 2025

Seasonal allergies aren’t just a problem for humans. They can affect pets, too. Yes, Fido can be allergic to the same things that bother humans seasonally: dust mites, mold, tree pollen, grass pollen, and weed pollen. Dogs can also experience a type of allergic dermatitis from flea bites.

The problem is that your dog can’t tell you when they’re suffering from allergy symptoms. Instead, watch your dog for signs of seasonal allergies — and follow suggestions for treatment.

Signs of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

According to PetMD, these are signs of seasonal allergies in dogs:

• Eye redness and discharge. Allergens enter the eyes and cause conjunctivitis (inflammation of the tissue lining the eyelids) and scleritis (inflammation of the white of the eyes), which appears as eye discharge.
• Ear discharge and ear scratching/head shaking. The ear canal and the ear flap accumulate allergens, become inflamed, and cause discomfort. Pets with ear inflammation are more prone to infection with bacteria or yeast, which are often already present in the ear canal, and are given a better chance to thrive in that moist, dark, and warm environment.
• Nasal discharge and sneezing. Depending on the severity of irritation, sneezing may be occasional or frequent, and nasal discharge can be thin, mucous-filled, or even bloody.
• Coughing, gagging, and swallowing are common signs of respiratory allergens. The same allergens that enter the nasal passages also end up in the mouth and windpipe. The nose and mouth connect, so nasal discharge can trickle down into the throat. Coughing, gagging, and increased swallowing are common signs of respiratory allergens.
• Licking, chewing, scratching, and the development of hot spots. The skin is the body’s largest organ, so allergies can impact many bodily locations. Pets often self-manage the situation by licking, chewing, and scratching. Affected sites include the feet, axilla (armpit), groin, flanks, sides, and skin folds.

Treatment of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

If you suspect your dog has allergies, consult with your veterinarian. Seasonal allergies in dogs are a chronic, incurable problem. But, you can keep your dog comfortable by managing their symptoms with OTC and prescription treatments.

• Get your pet on a regular schedule of year-round flea and tick prevention. This can help with any allergies triggered or worsened by flea bites.
• Talk with your vet about prescription anti-itch medications, like prednisone, to control itchiness. This will also help prevent secondary skin infections that result from your pup scratching too much at itchy spots.
• Make an anti-itch medication plan with your vet. Once you know which allergens are triggering your pup’s allergies, your vet can help you determine what months of the year they are most likely to experience recurring symptoms. Then, in following years, you can start them on prescription anti-itch meds one month before the allergy season starts — and continue them until one month after it’s over.
• Consider a recovery cone. Sometimes, anti-itch medication is not enough. In these cases, talk with your vet about having your dog wear a recovery cone to prevent them from chewing and licking at their itchy parts. This will help keep the skin intact and reduce the risk of infection.
• Add fish oil supplements to your dog’s food. Fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help strengthen the skin barrier, minimizing skin-related allergy symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help if your dog has anal gland issues that flare up during allergy season. Because omega-3 fatty acids take one to two months to reach maximum effectiveness, dogs with seasonal allergies should take this supplement year-round.
• Clean your dog’s ears regularly. Routine cleaning (every two to three weeks) with a liquid ear cleaner can help prevent infections. If your dog has an active ear infection, your vet may recommend cleaning their ears more frequently to help clear the infection.
• Treat complications. Sometimes, seasonal allergies lead to complications like ear or skin infections. These can be bacterial or fungal (yeast). Treatment can be liquid (for the ears), ointment (for the skin), or oral.