Does Your Dog Have Seasonal Allergies?

It used to happen every fall with the first GSD I brought home. As the leaves began to change color, he would start pawing at his face and rubbing it on the grass like crazy. As a new pet parent at the time, I was at a loss about what was up with him. Clearly, it wasn’t normal but I couldn’t quite pin down the reason. When the pawing and rubbing persisted, I knew it was time for a vet visit. And the vet told me I was dealing with a classic case of dog seasonal allergies. 

Yes, you read that right. Seasonal allergies aren’t just a human thing. Dogs can react to pollen, mold, and other outdoor allergens, too. If you’ve been noticing that your dog suddenly scratches at their ears or shakes their head at a certain time of the year, this guide on how to recognize the dog seasonal allergies and deal with them effectively is for you. With a bit of know-how and some vet-approved remedies, you can help your furry friend feel comfortable through spring, summer, and fall.

What Are Dog Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies in dogs, also called atopic or environmental allergies, occur when a dog’s immune system overreacts to things like tree pollen, grass pollen, or mold spores in the air. In other words, your furry baby’s body treats harmless outdoor particles as threats and releases histamines, causing itchiness and inflammation. 

The one factor that differentiates this from food-related or other chronic allergies is timing. Seasonal allergies only pop up during certain times of year. For example, if your dog only starts itching or sneezing in spring or fall, not all year, it’s likely a seasonal allergy. Food allergies, by contrast, happen whenever the allergen, like chicken or wheat, for example, is eaten, often causing skin or gastrointestinal problems.

Most dogs with seasonal allergies show symptoms in the warmer months, typically spring and fall in many areas. Veterinarian Dr. Domenico Santoro, an assistant professor of veterinary dermatology at the University of Florida explains, “Spring through fall are busy allergy seasons for dogs. It all depends on what type of pollen to which a dog is allergic. Generally, spring is the season for tree allergens, summer for grasses, and fall for weeds. 

Signs of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

If you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, the first important step is to watch for common dog allergy symptoms. These often affect the skin and ears more than the nose. Key signs of dog seasonal allergies include:

• Itching and scratching: Dogs with allergies often scratch, chew, or bite at their skin. Your dog may paw at their face or belly, even rolling on the ground to try to scratch that itch. Frequent rubbing against furniture or carpeting is a sure clue
• Skin redness and irritation: Look for red, scabby, or crusty patches on the belly, armpits, groin, or between the toes. You might even notice hot spots that appear moist, inflamed sores from constant licking. These hot spots can become infected if unchecked
• Paw licking and chewing: If your dog is obsessively licking the paws, especially in between the toes, it is one of the classic dog seasonal allergy symptoms. In my experience, a dog with red, wet-looking paws often has some allergy issue going on
• Watery eyes and sneezing: Dogs usually don’t have runny noses from pollen, but they can have watery or itchy eyes. Tearing or constant squinting, sneezing or even reverse sneezing, a snorting inhale, if something irritates the nose, are among the signs of dog seasonal allergies
• Ear infections: Chronic ear problems can come from allergies. Allergens can inflame the ear canal, so an allergic dog may shake its head, scratch at its ears, or develop waxy discharge—making it important to know how to clean dog ears properly to prevent infections.. In fact, most dogs with environmental allergies have ear inflammation that keeps flaring up.

What Causes Seasonal Allergies in Dogs?

Seasonal allergies in dogs are triggered by environmental allergens that peak at certain times of year. Common culprits include pollen and mold. Trees like oak, cedar, maple pollinate in spring, grasses pollinate in summer, and weeds like ragweed release pollen in fall. Even indoor allergens like dust mites can make problems worse year-round. Dogs can also be sensitive to spores and mildew in damp environments, especially in spring and fall humidity.

Being aware of your region’s pollen calendar can help you predict when your dog might need extra care. Other triggers can include ragweed and other weeds in autumn, and even tiny particles like grasses blowing in the wind. Even though it’s hard to eliminate them completely, limiting exposure during peak times, by keeping windows closed on high-pollen days, for example, can reduce symptoms.

Treatment Options for Dog Seasonal Allergies

There’s no single cure, but there are many dog seasonal allergy treatment options you can explore to help alleviate your pet’s discomfort. A combination of care at home and vet-prescribed therapies usually works best. Below are key approaches I’ve found helpful:

At-Home Remedies

One of the first things you need to focus on to make your pet feel more comfortable is alleviating the symptoms. Here is how to help a dog with seasonal allergies using home remedies:

• Paw and coat care: A surefire trick for allergy relief for dogs is to wipe their feet and belly with a damp cloth or pet wipe every time they come inside. This simple step removes pollen and grass residue so your dog isn’t tracking allergens into the house. Bathing your dog 1–2 times a week with an oatmeal or hypoallergenic shampoo can also soothe skin and wash away allergens. For added protection, you might also consider flea and tick shampoos for dogs if parasites worsen the itching. Just make sure to use a gentle, vet-approved shampoo
• Diet and supplements: Adding a high-quality fish oil supplement to your dog’s diet can improve skin health and reduce itchiness—similar to the benefits in omega-3 rich recipes for a shiny coat. Rubbing a little coconut oil on hot spots to moisturize skin can also be effective for allergy relief for dogs
• Environmental control: Try to walk and play in the late afternoon or evening when pollen levels often dip. Keep your grass mowed short, and rinse off eye or face irritants with clean water if needed. Avoid long outings in fields of weeds or flowers. Also, keep fleas and ticks at bay year-round, since parasite bites can make itchy skin worse

Vet-Prescribed Medications

When home care isn’t enough, your dog may need treatment for dog seasonal allergies. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications:

• Antihistamines: Drugs like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec), or chlorpheniramine can help some dogs. They work by blocking histamine. Benadryl is often recommended for mild allergy symptoms. The usual dose is about 1 mg per pound of body weight two to three times daily. However, it’s best to check with your vet for the correct dosage and to make sure it’s safe for your dog
• Corticosteroids: For more serious itching, vets often use drugs like prednisone or dexamethasone for short-term use. These are powerful anti-inflammatories and usually give quick relief. However, long-term steroid use has side effects, so they’re typically used often only for a few days during a severe flare-up
• Anti-itch medications: Medications like Apoquel (oclacitinib) or Cytopoint (lokivetmab) are very effective dog seasonal allergy treatments. Apoquel is a once-daily pill that blocks itch signals in dogs, and Cytopoint is an injectable antibody that can suppress itching for 4–8 weeks with one dose
• Topical treatments: Your vet may also recommend medicated shampoos or sprays containing soothing ingredients like oatmeal, aloe, or mild steroids to apply to inflamed skin and ears. If ear infections have set in, prescription ear drops or wipes may be prescribed to help break the itch–scratch cycle
• Immunotherapy: This is often called the closest thing to a “cure.” After specific triggers have been identified through an allergy test, your vet can prepare a custom vaccine. Over months, tiny amounts of the allergen are injected or given as drops to desensitize the immune system
  

Natural Remedies for Dog Allergies

Beyond medication, certain natural supplements and diet tweaks can provide extra relief. Some popular natural remedies for dog allergies include: 

• Omega-3 fatty acids 
• Biotin supplements 
• Calendula ointments 
• A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like pumpkin, blueberries, and turmeric

How to Help Your Dog at Home

In addition to at-home and natural remedies, a few simple measures can go a long way in providing allergy relief for dogs. Here are a few things you can try: 

• Wipe paws and coat after walks: Keep a damp cloth or pet-safe wipe by the door. Gently wipe your dog’s feet, belly, and any pollen-coated fur right after outdoor time. This simple habit can remove excess pollen and allergens
• Wash bedding and blankets weekly: Use hot water and pet-friendly detergent to remove pollen and dust mites that collect on your dog’s favorite sleeping spots. Clean pillows or couch covers, too, if your dog lies there, too
• Control indoor air: Run a HEPA air purifier or central AC to filter out pollen and mold spores. Keep windows closed on windy, high-pollen days. Even brushing your dog outside and removing loose hair can help
• Regular grooming: Brush your dog outdoors to remove loose fur and pollen. Trimming long fur around the paws and armpits can also reduce allergen trapping
• Diet and hydration: Pay attention to your dog’s diet and hydration during this time. Keep fresh water available at all times and feed them a well-rounded diet that supports the immune system. You can also consider switching to hypoallergenic treats during flare-ups to prevent further irritation
• Prevent parasites: Even seasonal allergy dogs should stay on year-round tick and flea preventatives. Flea bites can make itchy dogs even more miserable. Routine deworming or heartworm prevention are also extremely important in maintaining your pet’s overall health, so their immune system is better equipped to cope with any flare ups

When to See a Vet

Allergies can usually be managed at home, but some signs of dog seasonal allergies warrant professional care. Watch for emergency or worsening symptoms such as:

Other concerning symptoms: If your dog suddenly refuses food, is lethargic, or has vomiting/diarrhea along with skin issues, see the vet. Sometimes what looks like allergies can involve additional problems. A vet can run tests to pinpoint the cause. The sooner you diagnose the problem, the sooner your dog can get the right treatment

Breathing problems or swelling: If your dog shows any difficulty breathing, wheezing, or sudden swelling of the face or throat, seek emergency vet care immediately. This could signal a severe allergic reaction like anaphylaxis and is life-threatening. Even though seasonal allergies normally cause skin issues, a very few dogs can have dramatic symptoms that require a quick response

Severe or infected skin lesions: If your dog has scratched so much that open sores or hot spots develop, call the vet, especially if they ooze pus or have a bad odor. Untreated infections can spread and really hurt your dog

Persistent or worsening itching: Seasonal allergies are chronic, and veterinarians note that flare-ups often intensify over time. If your dog’s itching just keeps getting worse each season, or simple remedies no longer control it, it’s time for a vet visit. Don’t wait until your dog is miserable. Early intervention often means less medication later