Although beautiful, springtime can bring misery to allergy sufferers. Pets can also suffer from allergies, some only during spring, and some year-round. Understanding how allergies affect pets can help you learn to manage this sometimes frustrating condition. The Palisades Veterinary Hospital team shares answers to our most frequently encountered pet owner questions about allergies in dogs and cats.

Question: What are the common allergens that affect pets?

Answer: Pets can be allergic to one or multiple substances, including pollen, dust mites, mold, other animals, certain foods, or flea bites. Vaccines and some medications can also trigger allergic reactions, but these are not the same as chronic or seasonal allergies. Flea and environmental allergens are pets’ most common allergy triggers, but food allergies can affect a small minority.

Q: How can I tell if my pet has allergies?

A: Allergy signs most commonly include itchy, red, or inflamed skin, recurrent skin or ear infections, and less frequently, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, coughing, or inflamed eyes. Despite being prevalent in pets, a veterinary visit is required to rule out other skin or gastrointestinal disorders and prescribe an effective treatment plan.

Q: Can pet allergies be cured?

A: Allergies are not curable, but medications and other strategies can help manage the signs and complications to improve your pet’s quality of life. First-line treatments include flea control, antihistamines, targeted immune modulators, and topical shampoos, creams, or sprays. Additional possible therapies include elimination diet trials, steroids, or allergy testing followed by customized immunotherapy (i.e., allergy shots). Antibiotics and antifungal medications are used when skin and ear infections occur secondary to allergies.

Q: Can pets develop allergies later in life?

A: Allergies can develop in pets anytime, but they typically begin during a pet’s young adult years and get worse as time goes on and pets are regularly exposed to their triggers. Food allergies can develop at any age.

Q: Are certain breeds more prone to allergies than others?

A: Cats are less susceptible to allergies than dogs, who have a  20% to 30% prevalence. Any breed can be affected, but some seem more susceptible to allergies than others. Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, shar-peis, boxers, shih tzus, and many terrier breeds top the list. 

Q: How can I alleviate my pet’s allergy symptoms at home?

A: Regular grooming and bathing can help remove allergens from your pet’s coat and soothe itchy skin. Frequent vacuuming and dusting or using an air filter can help reduce allergens in your home. Additionally, following our veterinarian’s treatment recommendations and staying vigilant about your pet can help prevent flare-ups or catch them in the early stages. 

Q: Can pets have seasonal allergies like humans?

A: Whether a pet experiences allergy symptoms year-round or seasonally depends on their allergens. Dust mites, flea bites, mold spores, and animal dander can be a problem year-round, while pollen allergies can flare up in the spring and fall, similar to humans. Although allergies can change over time, pay close attention to your pet’s signs throughout the year so you can predict and get ahead of flare-ups.

Q: Can I use natural remedies to alleviate my pet’s allergies?

A: Some natural remedies are effective for pets with mild allergies or when used with medical treatments. Omega-3 fatty acids are proven to reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin’s barrier, and recent research is showing that the gut microbiome can influence allergy development, which means probiotics may benefit allergic pets. Always consult our veterinary team before beginning a new natural supplement.

Your pet’s allergy management requires patience, time, and commitment in close collaboration with our Palisades Veterinary Hospital team. If you suspect your pet suffers from allergies or would like to discuss adjusting your pet’s allergy treatment plan, contact us to schedule a visit or consultation.