{"id":189671,"date":"2022-01-20T21:05:36","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T19:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fendaf.ee\/uncategorized-et-en\/hooajalised-allergiad\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T21:39:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T18:39:44","slug":"seasonal-allergies-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fendaf.ee\/en\/health\/seasonal-allergies-in-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Seasonal Allergies in Dogs: Itching, Causes and What Helps"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have always liked Dr Edward Beltrani’s observation that an imbalance in the gut may sometimes lie behind skin and ear problems. He describes the paws, ears and skin as the tip of an iceberg. It is an interesting integrative perspective, but not an automatic diagnostic rule: itching does not always originate in the gut. Fleas, mites, bacteria or yeast may instead be responsible.<\/p>\n

In my work at FendaF, I have seen dogs whose itching and skin problems improved noticeably after changes in diet and everyday care. Those experiences matter, although they cannot establish on their own which change caused the improvement. For me, the sensible approach is to find the actual cause, reduce a dog’s daily exposure to allergens and choose help according to the dog’s condition. Medication and whole-dog care need not be opposites.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

At a glance: what can help with seasonal allergies?<\/h2>\n

The following is an overview, not a treatment plan for every dog. The choice depends on whether the problem is mild seasonal itching, acute inflammation, a concurrent infection or recurring atopic dermatitis.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Option<\/th>\nWhat it involves<\/th>\nImportant limitation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Identify the cause<\/td>\nSkin examination, ear cytology when needed, and checking for parasites and infections.<\/td>\nWithout this, treating an assumed allergy can mask another disease.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daily skin care<\/td>\nRinsing paws, gentle washing, moisturising the skin and reducing allergens in the home.<\/td>\nA useful supportive foundation, especially with mild seasonal symptoms.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diet and supplements<\/td>\nA suitable complete diet; a properly conducted elimination diet if indicated; EPA\/DHA or selected probiotics.<\/td>\nFood allergy needs confirmation; supplements do not work equally well for every dog.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Treat itching and inflammation<\/td>\nWhen needed, topical medicines, oclacitinib, lokivetmab, ciclosporin or glucocorticoids.<\/td>\nBenefits and adverse effects depend on the medicine and the individual dog’s health.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Allergen-specific immunotherapy<\/td>\nInjections or, in some cases, sublingual immunotherapy.<\/td>\nA long-term approach: improvement can take months, not days.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

What is allergic dermatitis?<\/h2>\n

In dogs, seasonal allergies usually refer to a flare-up of atopic dermatitis associated with environmental allergens. Triggers may include pollen, mould spores and other environmental factors. Dust mites may cause year-round itching that becomes worse at certain times of year. Skin-barrier function, immune responses and inherited susceptibility all contribute. It is not simply a matter of \u2018too much histamine\u2019.<\/p>\n

Allergies often look different in dogs than in people. The most prominent signs are itching, paw licking, ear problems, red skin and recurrent inflammation. Nasal and eye symptoms can occur, but sneezing or watery eyes alone are not enough to diagnose atopic dermatitis.<\/p>\n

With food allergies, it is important to distinguish developing a sensitivity from triggering one that already exists. Sensitisation can take months or years, but a dog that is already sensitive may develop symptoms within hours or days of eating an allergen. In some cases, a reaction may not become apparent for up to two weeks.<\/p>\n

Consequently, a dog starting to itch a few weeks after switching to a chicken-based food does not automatically have a chicken allergy. Timing alone cannot confirm the diagnosis, but it cannot rule food allergy out either. Previous exposures, other possible causes of itching and, where appropriate, a controlled elimination diet followed by a food challenge must be considered.<\/p>\n

Itching with a clear seasonal pattern is more suggestive of environmental allergens, whereas food allergy more typically produces year-round symptoms.<\/p>\n

Signs of seasonal allergies<\/h2>\n

Common signs include intense or recurrent itching, chewing and licking the paws, rubbing the face against furniture, shaking the ears, redness in the armpits and belly, and sometimes hair loss. Constant scratching damages the skin and can allow bacteria or Malassezia<\/em> yeast to overgrow. Mild itching can then become painful dermatitis or a hot spot.<\/p>\n

You can read more about recognising and caring for hot spots in the FendaF article \u201cHot spot on a dog: what to do and why does it come back?\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Foul-smelling ears, dark discharge, marked pain, weeping or purulent skin, and rapidly spreading lesions are not merely an inconvenient seasonal reaction. They require veterinary assessment, often including examination of a sample under the microscope. If a dog is lethargic, its face swells or breathing becomes difficult, seek urgent veterinary care.<\/p>\n

Before starting an allergy protocol: is it actually an allergy?<\/h2>\n

The biggest mistake is assuming that every itch must be atopy or a food allergy. The 2023 AAHA guidelines recommend starting with the history, skin cytology and ear cytology where indicated, parasite control and assessment for secondary infections. Flea-allergy dermatitis can occur even if the owner has never seen a flea. Sarcoptic mites, demodicosis, bacterial infection, contact irritation and other skin conditions can also cause itching.<\/p>\n

I have discussed this distinction in a separate FendaF article, \u201cNot every itch is an allergy\u201d (in Estonian)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If the itching returns at the same time each year, seasonal atopy is a reasonable possibility. Blood and intradermal allergy tests, however, do not diagnose atopy on their own. They are primarily used to select relevant allergens for immunotherapy after the clinical diagnosis has been made. Food and environmental allergies may also occur together.<\/p>\n

An integrative allergy protocol: what can you actually do at home?<\/h2>\n

Reduce allergen exposure and support the skin<\/h3>\n

If you know when symptoms usually begin, start supporting the skin and environment before the difficult season. After walks, rinse the paws and, if necessary, the underside of the body with lukewarm water and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. A gentle dog-appropriate shampoo and suitable moisturising care can help an allergic skin barrier. The updated 2026 ICADA guidelines discuss regular bathing and barrier-supporting products as adjunctive care in atopic dermatitis.<\/p>\n

A shampoo does not have to be grain-free. The claim that an oat-containing shampoo feeds yeast on the skin in the same way as dietary carbohydrates is not enough reason to reject an otherwise suitable product. Tolerance, washing frequency and the skin’s condition matter more. Very frequent washing with a harsh product can dry out the skin; adjust your routine to the dog’s response.<\/p>\n

At home, it helps to wash bedding and clean rugs and other textiles at a sensible frequency. Where possible, choose unscented, pet-safe cleaning products, preferably of natural origin. An air purifier with an appropriate filter may be useful during allergen season. Removing every grain of pollen is not realistic, and intensive daily disinfection is not the goal. Never apply lemon juice, concentrated apple-cider vinegar or essential oils to irritated skin. Use sterile eye-care products recommended by a veterinarian, not colloidal silver or homemade mixtures, to rinse the eyes.<\/p>\n

Review the diet, but do not automatically blame individual ingredients<\/h3>\n

Dr Karen Shaw Becker often recommends beginning with food and gut health when considering allergic animals. I see practical value in reviewing diet, digestion and body condition as part of the bigger picture. However, it has not been established that every seasonal allergy originates from a \u2018leaky gut\u2019, or that rice, potatoes, peas, grains or a particular level of food processing are universally to blame.<\/p>\n

A highly restrictive \u2018anti-inflammatory diet\u2019 may suit some dogs, but excluding ingredients indefinitely without a reason is not necessary and can make balancing the diet harder. It is more useful to check whether the diet is complete, whether the dog tolerates it and whether digestive problems are present. An owner’s observation that an individual dog does better on a different food deserves attention, but it cannot be made into a rule for every allergic dog.<\/p>\n

Where food allergy is suspected, a properly designed elimination diet is needed, usually for about eight weeks and sometimes for as long as twelve. During the trial, the dog must not receive other foods, chews or flavoured supplements that could interfere with the result. If symptoms improve, the original food must be reintroduced in a controlled challenge to confirm the diagnosis. Simply changing from one kibble to another is not the same as a controlled elimination trial.<\/p>\n

Omega-3 fatty acids and the skin barrier<\/h3>\n

Karen Becker has emphasised the importance of marine omega-3 fatty acids. The evidence broadly supports that point: fish-oil EPA and DHA may moderately support inflammatory responses and skin condition in some atopic dogs, although they cannot replace treatment for severe itching. Updated ICADA guidance considers essential fatty acids a complementary option, especially for milder disease or alongside medication. Consider the actual EPA\/DHA dose, the whole diet, additional calories and any illnesses rather than simply giving more oil.<\/p>\n

Lauric acid in coconut oil has antimicrobial properties in laboratory conditions, but this does not prove that feeding coconut oil treats Malassezia<\/em> skin disease in dogs. Coconut oil is also calorie-dense and may cause gastrointestinal upset. Yeast overgrowth in the skin or ears should be assessed and treated specifically when needed. \u2018Starving the yeast\u2019 by removing all carbohydrates from the diet is not an evidence-based treatment.<\/p>\n

The gut microbiome and probiotics: promising but inconsistent evidence<\/h3>\n

The relationship between the gut and the skin is receiving increasing research attention. For example, a small 2025 study involving 23 dogs with atopic dermatitis found associations between microbiome composition and disease severity and reported symptom improvement after 16 weeks of probiotic supplementation. That is an interesting finding, but it cannot establish one shared \u2018gut-origin\u2019 cause for all atopic dogs.<\/p>\n

A systematic review and meta-analysis of five canine studies published in the same year, however, found no statistically significant overall effect of probiotics on itching or skin-lesion scores. The findings therefore point in different directions. I would not dismiss good-quality probiotics with a clearly specified strain and dose as a reasonable adjunct, particularly when digestive problems coexist, but I would track results and never substitute them for necessary skin or allergy treatment. There is currently insufficient clinical evidence to recommend homemade skin rinses made from probiotic powders.<\/p>\n

Quercetin, bromelain, herbs and honey<\/h3>\n

Integrative approaches often suggest quercetin, bromelain and various herbs. They may have interesting effects on inflammatory and histamine-related pathways, but laboratory findings are not the same as clinically demonstrated relief in dogs. Quercetin cannot be treated as equivalent to a rapid-acting anti-itch medication, and canine dosing, interactions and product quality need individual assessment.<\/p>\n

Likewise, eating local honey is not equivalent to allergen-specific immunotherapy: its pollen content and composition are not standardised for this purpose. Honey should not be added to the diet of a sensitive or diabetic dog solely in the hope of treating allergies.<\/p>\n

Essential oils, including eucalyptus oil, must never be applied undiluted to the skin. Nor am I convinced that diffusing essential oils is a useful allergy treatment. Concentrated oils can harm animals, and particular caution is needed around cats and animals with respiratory problems.<\/p>\n

When is medication necessary, and how should we assess its safety?<\/h2>\n

If itching prevents a dog from sleeping, the dog chews its skin raw, or infection develops, it is not fair to let the animal suffer while trying only gentle home measures. Veterinary options include topical anti-inflammatory preparations, oclacitinib (Apoquel), lokivetmab (Cytopoint), ciclosporin and glucocorticoids. They differ in how they work, speed of effect, age restrictions and potential adverse effects.<\/p>\n

Apoquel is not risk-free. Its active ingredient, oclacitinib, affects certain cytokine-signalling pathways; a veterinarian must consider warnings related to infections and tumours as well as the dog’s other health conditions. But the claim that a single dose permanently damages the immune system has not been demonstrated in controlled evidence. Nor can we claim that every dog receiving long-term treatment will certainly become ill. That does not justify the opposite claim that the medicine is free of risk. Benefits and risks need to be weighed for the individual patient and outcomes monitored.<\/p>\n

For a more detailed discussion, see the FendaF article \u201cApoquel and its safety: what do we actually know?\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cytopoint mainly neutralises the itch-associated signalling molecule IL-31 and may suit some dogs better than a daily oral drug. Glucocorticoids can work quickly during an acute flare, but their risks with longer use require careful consideration. Ciclosporin generally acts more slowly. Treatment decisions should reflect symptoms, concurrent illnesses and the real balance of benefit and harm, not whether an approach is labelled \u2018natural\u2019 or \u2018conventional\u2019.<\/p>\n

Allergen-specific immunotherapy: a long-term option<\/h2>\n

If repeated seasonal flares seriously affect quality of life, discuss allergen-specific immunotherapy with a veterinary dermatologist. It aims to train the immune system to respond differently to selected environmental allergens. Treatment can be given by injections (SCIT) or, in some cases, a solution under the tongue (SLIT). This is one of the few approaches intended to modify the underlying immune response rather than merely suppress itching.<\/p>\n

Before treatment, relevant allergens are selected using the history and targeted intradermal or serum testing. Improvement does not occur overnight: evaluation often takes several months to a year. During that period, gentle skin care and symptom-control medication may still be needed. Not every dog responds equally, but some experience fewer flares and need less medication.<\/p>\n

\n

A practical plan before allergy season<\/h2>\n

If your dog shows the same pattern every spring or summer, note when the symptoms begin. Check the skin and ears once a week and score itching from zero to ten. Compare different seasons and notice whether itching worsens after long walks, freshly cut grass or a particular laundry product. Photographs can help show whether things have truly improved or you have simply grown accustomed to the symptoms.<\/p>\n

Start with gentle, low-risk steps: rinse paws where needed, wash the bedding, choose a skin-friendly dog shampoo, keep the diet balanced and protect the skin from excessive licking. If there is ear discharge, unpleasant skin odour or severe itching, have the skin and ears examined instead of introducing five supplements at once. When trying a complementary measure, change as few variables as possible and record the result.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In conclusion<\/h2>\n

Seasonal allergies can recur stubbornly and be exhausting for both dogs and their people. What I appreciate about an integrative approach is that it does not stop at a single medication: it also considers the skin, digestion, diet, environment and daily wellbeing. Equally important is recognising that not every itch is an allergy, not every allergy begins in the gut and not every natural remedy is automatically safe or effective.<\/p>\n

The best solution may combine several small steps: gentler home care, appropriate food, probiotics or fatty acids when indicated, prompt diagnosis of infections, and considered medication or immunotherapy. The goal is not to prove that we can always manage without medicines. The goal is a dog that itches less, sleeps well and can simply be a dog again.<\/p>\n

Sources<\/h3>\n