Hay fever can be annoying and really impact your day to day life if it hits you hard. But, can dogs get hay fever too?
It’s a simple question with a simple answer…
Yes, dogs can get hay fever too.
Dogs enjoy exploring and sniffing. Having hay fever symptoms can make it hard for your pet. In this article, we’ll find out if dogs can acquire hay fever and how to address this health issue.
What’s Hay Fever?
Hay fever is actually an allergic reaction that is caused by the body responding to grass, plant pollen, or trees. This usually occurs during the spring and summer seasons. Just like with people, dogs can get hay fever. In humans, symptoms usually consist of runny noses, itchy eyes, and unusual sneezes.
With dogs, hay fever will tend to make them extremely itchy. There is no cure for it, the best move is to manage it with medications and topical treatment from the veterinarian.
Dog Hay Fever Symptoms
The symptoms of hay fever in dogs are different from humans as canines manifest skin irritation all over the body.
Here are also some of the other symptoms that occur: runny nose, watery eyes, irritated throat, frequent sneezing, itching or biting of the skin, bald patches due to itching, and rash developing on paws or face.
If you’ve read those symptoms clearly, the main antagonist is itching. By itching so much, a dog can get so irritated that it can damage its body. Dogs suffer so much when they get hay fever.
Why Dogs Develop Hay Fever
The body of a dog will release histamines in direct response to an allergen like pollen. The histamines will be released into the skin and that will cause itchiness and irritation. You need to understand that inhaled pollen is not the only factor that could trigger hay fever in canines.
Histamine response can also be caused when the dog’s skin gets to be in contact with pollen directly. When your dog runs to a grassy area, hay fever can be acquired through this.
Dogs are susceptible to hay fever even more from March to September. With an environment that has humid, windy, and warm weather, this is the time where pollen count is at its peak.
Dog Breeds That Are More Prone To Hay Fever
All dogs may suffer from hay fever but some specific breeds are more prone to this allergic reaction. Reasons could be due to the breathing biology, type of coat, or facial shape of a dog.
Increased chances of developing hay fever can be considered with these dog breeds: Dalmatians, Poodles, Irish Setters, Boston Terriers, Schnauzers, Wire-haired Terriers, Cairn Terriers, and the West Highland White Terriers.
Preventing Or Reducing Symptoms
Now that you know the symptoms and which dog breeds are more prone, it’s time to tackle how you can protect your canine from pollen season. One of the best ways is to monitor pollen forecasts daily. When there is a high count of pollen, just make sure that your dogs stay inside of your house.
A high pollen count is usually during dry and warm days.
If you are already outside and you walked your dog during high pollen days, it would be smart to wash your dog as soon as you get back home. This could help remove pollen from your dog’s coat. Concerning this, do not use a towel that was dried from a clothesline outside during high pollen days.
To prevent penetration of pollen inside your home, always try to keep your doors and windows closed. Clean your home with a vacuum regularly. This will benefit your dog in a very big way.
Go for a vacuum cleaner that has a special HEPA filter. It would be better to not keep fresh flowers inside your home.
When you travel with your dog, make sure that you opt for a pollen filter on the air vents of your car. If you want your dog to run or walk, go to the beach because it has less exposure to pollen. Your dog will enjoy these places and you won’t have to worry too much about your dog getting hay fever.
Back at your house, always make sure that your lawn is regularly cut short. Never let your dog run through dense vegetation or long grass.
Treatments For Hay Fever
If you have observed your dog and assumed that it has hay fever, the best course of action is to seek help from your local veterinarian. Get your dog to the vet as early as possible so you would be able to understand the proper steps needed to be taken to treat your dog.
Your dog’s vet can provide a detailed diagnosis and treatment plan. This will immediately inform you whether your assumption of hay fever is correct or not.
Vets will usually advise treatment using topical applications like shampoos, creams, or sprays. Supplements and medication will also be helpful. Whatever you do, always check with your vet first before you administer antihistamine to your pet.
Summary
Hay fever can cause irritation and discomfort to dogs. It would still be smart to follow the saying that prevention is better than cure. If you aim to make your dog hay fever-free, make sure that you follow the tips that were mentioned above.
Try to keep your doors and windows closed to prevent pollen from entering your house. Never let your dog run through a grassy meadow. Keep your dog indoors during high-pollen count days.
There are certain months in a year that are more difficult or riskier for dogs to acquire hay fever. During these times, make sure that your dog is indoors or if not, opt to walk them at low-pollen areas such as the beach.
Every dog parent would want the best for their pets. Do your part by cleaning your house with a vacuum and cutting your lawn regularly. Your dog’s health also depends on the surrounding or environment that you could provide.
Hay fever is difficult for dogs, always keep in mind the best preventive measures to keep them from acquiring this.