As we head into spring, we’re often wary that hayfever season is upon us. It’s one of those annoying things that we simply can’t control, and if you’re a pet owner, it might have led you to wonder ‘Can dogs get hayfever?’
Here at Green Pantry, we excel in creating natural dog food, each recipe carefully crafted to target specific health conditions in dogs – including those that may suffer from hayfever! In this blog, we’ll dive into doggy hayfever and discover symptoms, natural treatments, and more.
Let’s find out exactly how hayfever can affect your four-legged friend…
What is hayfever?
First things first, let’s get to grips with what hayfever is and how it might differ from hayfever in humans. Hay fever is an allergy to pollen that affects both humans and dogs, causing unpleasant symptoms.
In fact, around 1 in 10 dogs in the UK are prone to seasonal allergies. It more commonly occurs during spring and summer, with May to August being the peak months. At Green Pantry, we don’t want to see any dog suffer from allergens. That’s why we’ve created hypoallergenic dog food that helps reduce the risk of triggering hayfever-related allergic reactions. Browse our full range for tasty recipes, made from 100% natural ingredients!
What causes hayfever in dogs?
It’s caused by your dog’s immune system overreacting to environmental allergens, mostly notably pollen from trees, grass, and weeds. Symptoms are most likely to spike as we head into spring, sometimes lasting until early Autumn!
Symptoms of hayfever in dogs
Symptoms of hayfever in dogs most often mimic those in humans; however, dogs are more likely to suffer from skin issues around their groin, abdomen, armpits, and ears, often appearing as red, inflamed, or itchy. Some of the other common signs of hayfever in dogs include:
- Scratching
- Chewing their paws
- Sneezing
- Lathargy
- A runny nose – Did you know that dogs can also get a common cold?
- Red of flaky skin
- Pacing about, and/or just being generally unsettled
Can dogs get hayfever eyes?
Yes, dogs can suffer from hayfever eyes. But what exactly are hayfever eyes? Well, it’s more commonly known as allergic conjunctivitis and presents itself as red, itchy, or watery eyes. It’s easy to spot if you notice your dog is rubbing their face or scratching at their eyes with their paws.
How can I treat my dog’s hayfever?
First of all, we’d highly recommend speaking to your veterinarian if you’re worried about any of the symptoms above. They’ll be able to give an official diagnosis and prescribe the right medication, if needed, along with skin creams or supplements.
At Green Pantry, as well as natural dog food, we also sell natural dog supplements to support any health problems your dog may be facing.
However, for some natural at-home remedies, there are ways you can manage hayfever symptoms to make dealing with it more bearable for your dog. Here are some solutions:
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- Topical treatments, such as dog-specific shampoos or wipes
- Eye drops (again dog-specific)
- A nasal spray (prescribed by your vet)
- Immunotherapy – Can be very effective in larger breeds
* Never give your dog human antihistamines – only give them medication under direction from your vet
What about preventing hayfever?
Although hayfever can’t be cured, you can minimise exposure to your dog and spend some extra care and attention to the following:
- Walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening, when pollen counts are at their lowest
- After walks, immediately wipe their paws, face, and fur with a damp cloth
- Wash your dog’s bedding regularly
- Bathe and groom them regularly
- Try to keep windows and doors closed at home
- Keep your garden grass short, and keep your dog inside when mowing
- Prevent your dog from rolling in pollen-heavy grass
- Add more essential fatty acids to their food
In particular, we’d recommend our sensitive skin dog food. Designed to help dogs who suffer from itchy, dry skin, flaking, and irritation, this 100% natural recipe is a great choice for dogs who get hay fever. You can find ingredients like freshly prepared fish, linseed, and essential fatty acids, which can help to patch gaps in the skin barrier and can make it harder for pollen to cause irritation.
But why are our recipes so highly recommended?
Molly Norman, a professional dog groomer, tells us about the importance of nutrition for your dog’s skin. She says:
“As a professional dog groomer, we see a noticeable rise in itchy skin, paw chewing, and irritated eyes during hayfever season. While regular grooming helps to remove pollen and soothe the skin, nutrition plays a huge role in how well a dog can cope with these allergens. Diets rich in essential fatty acids and high-quality, natural ingredients can help support the skin barrier, reducing sensitivity and helping dogs stay more comfortable during peak allergy months.”
You can also count on our recipes by checking out our ‘Excellent’ ratings on Trustpilot!
Look after your dog this hayfever season with the help of Green Pantry
So, can dogs get hayfever? Yes, absolutely! Remember, it typically presents as skin irritation rather than respiratory issues, so keep an eye out for the common symptoms we’ve mentioned above.
Here at Green Pantry, we’ve got your dog’s best interests at heart. In addition to our hypoallergenic recipes, we craft natural dog foods that address a wide range of health conditions. So, whether you’re after high fibre dog food or low fat dog food, you can find everything you need by health function or dietary needs on our website.
For more advice surrounding doggy hayfever or any of our recipes, please do get in touch. Our team are more than happy to chat with you about your furry friend. Prefer a friendly voice on the phone? Give us a call on 01553 811 320.
