Until I had a dog of my own, I thought seasonal allergies in pets were just a gimmick thought up by pet care companies. Having owned an Australian Shepherd for over three years now, and having dog-sat my parents’ 9-year old Shih Tzu many times, I can safely admit that I was wrong. Seasonal allergies in pets is not only real, it is quite common. Similar to humans, dogs can be allergic to a variety of environmental allergens including ragweed, pollen, dander, dust, mould, and mildew, but unlike humans who manifest allergy symptoms a variety of ways, pet allergies are mainly expressed through their skin.
Without the appropriate care, when seasonal allergies were at their peak, my parents’ Shih Tzu, Callie, constantly scratched behind her ears, licked her paws and bit her skin (to the point that it would bleed). Upon learning that Callie suffers from seasonal allergies, my parents, at the recommendation of their veterinarian, switched her food to Royal Canin. The formulaic Skin Care and Skin Support food by Royal Canin assists in treating non-specific skin disease and environmental allergies in dogs. The Skin Support formula has improved Callie’s condition by prohibiting bacterial growth and helping her skin heal. Although she still scratches from time to time, it’s nowhere near as bad as it was and her skin no longer bleeds from persistent scratching.
The 3 areas to pay attention to when suspecting seasonal allergies in your dog are their ears, skin, paws (ESP). Dogs suffering from seasonal allergies will scratch a lot, won’t want their ears touched and may excessively chew on their paws. It is recommended that dogs displaying any of these signs see a veterinarian for a thorough exam and proper diagnosis.
How to Help Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
In addition to feeding your pet quality food that is high in fatty acids and formulated to strengthen skin, there are other ways to help manage your dog’s seasonal allergies, including:
- Bathing: Nothing soothes itchy, irritated skin like a lukewarm bath. If your suffering pet enjoys baths, try bathing them. Just make sure to use a gentle, allergen-free shampoo (or none at all).
- Grooming: Make brushing your pet a part of their daily routine. Allergens can easily stick to fur, and brushing is a great way to get them out. Besides that a soft brush feels great on itchy skin!
- Vacuuming: Those outdoor allergens can easily make their way indoor. By regularly vacuuming you minimize the irritants in your house and make your pet (and anyone else who may be suffering) a little more comfortable.
- Benadryl: As one of the common antihistamines, Benadryl for dogs is used to block histamine, a substance that causes allergic symptoms. Does it work for dogs as well? Yes, it does! Dogs are commonly treated with Benadryl in veterinary practices for a variety of reasons.
Together these 4 simple things, combined with quality food, such as Royal Canin’s Skin Care and Skin Support formulas, will minimize your dog’s allergies and make spending time outside in the warmer weather all the more enjoyable!
For more information on Royal Canin’s #ItchyPetSeeYourVet initiative, including how you can help your dog manage their seasonal allergies visit Royal Canin’s website.
*Please note: I received compensation for writing this post. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*
I didnt know Pine needles could be an environmental allergen for dogs,maybe thats make out itch so much…we have a back yard full of pines and the needles are everywhere.Thanks for this post.
I was shocked to see how many things dogs can be allergic to! A lot of things that are hard yo avoid too such as leaves
One thing that I have learned is that switching our 2 shih tzus food to something that is better quality can make a world of difference! I haven’t tried Royal Canin, so now I am tempted to try it. Do you know where you can buy it? Thanks!
I was surprised to learn that some dogs have such severe allergies that they end up on steroids or allergy shots.
i was surprised at the many things they can be allergic to,like..sunflowers,hazelnuts,perfume those i didn’t know.
I didn’t hear know that there is some many different allergies that pets can suffer from.
I was surprised at how many things dogs can be allergic too.
I was surprised that dogs even get allergies.
Surprised to learn that dogs can suffer with the same allergens that we do.
Was surprised at the number of allergies dogs could have.
I learned that allergens can be any of the same common allergens that people suffer from, such as: mould, mildew, dust mites, insect bites, ragweed or various pollens.
The most surprising thing I learned was that Royal Canin Skin Support is formulated to offer the same benefits for environmental allergies as Skin Care, Skin Support also has a patented skin support blend that has been proven to inhibit bacterial growth and promote skin healing.
Can you tell me if your parents dog is still better with the Royal Canine food because I have a Shih Tzu too and he has severe allergies and it’s really hard to help him. It breaks my heart when he is scratching and licking all the time. I have to keep giving him medication which is not good for him long term. Can you tell me if there are any treats that go with this line of food. Thank you for this information hopefully it can help my dog.
I am so glad I read this. I’ll be going out tomorrow to buy this food. Lets hope it helps
My 2 year old border collie suffers from allergies! At first we thought she was just showing off..cause she will lay on her back and wiggle all around the floor..but come to realize she is rubibing her itchy skin..now that ive seen other signs im almost positive thats what it is.not to mention..when were at the park, first thing she wants to do is find tree branches! Pine needles and all!! I think a trip to the vets may be in order…she scratched around her eyes..and they are looking raw now 🙁 my poor girl
Oh, no! Hoping she gets better soon!