As many of us know, once spring hits our hayfever can flare up, leaving us with itchy eyes, a runny nose and plenty of sneezes. However, have you ever noticed that sometimes our dogs and cats can get this too during the spring and summer?
Let’s delve into whether dogs and cats can suffer with hayfever and what this means for you and your Pawsome pet.
Can cats and dogs get hayfever?Yes, dogs and cats can suffer from hayfever, although it can be a little more in-depth than hayfever seen in humans. Allergies in general can be super common for our pets, but you may just notice an increase in the summer and spring months.
There may be a variety of reasons that your pet develops seasonal allergies, including:
- Pollen
- Mould spores
- Dust mites
- Grass
- A rise in flea population
It is important to note that there are two different types of allergies – seasonal and permanent. Some pets may suffer with their allergies all year round no matter the season. You may need to discuss this in more detail with one of our Pawsome team.
What are the symptoms of allergies in cats and dogs?
Our furry friends can suffer from a variety of allergies, including environmental, food and seasonal. It’s important to remember that if your pet is persistently showing signs of having an allergy, that you book an appointment as soon as possible.
When our pets are exposed to a certain allergen, their immune systems can start to work on overdrive and they can display the following symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Running eyes
- Bloodshot eyes
- Excessive scratching and licking, especially around the groin, ears and feet
- Recurring anal gland problems
- Ear infections
- Redness or inflammation of the skin
If your pet is showing these symptoms, it may not always relate to an allergy and there might be another issue, so it’s important that you give us a call on 01623 203529 as soon as possible.
How can allergies be treated?
The treatment options for allergies can be vast and it is important to remember that your pet will most likely always suffer from allergies – we just need to help to control them and reduce flare ups.
Some ways in which we may treat your pets allergies include:
- Oral medications: Antihistamines and steroids can help to reduce the symptoms of allergies and keep your pet more comfortable. It is important to note that you should not give your pet an antihistamine drug without a veterinary surgeon recommendation.
- Immunotherapy: Following an allergy screening panel, we may recommend immunotherapy treatment. This is similar to a vaccine and exposes your pet to a small amount of the allergen that they are allergic to. This helps their immune system to build better defences.
- Environmental modifications: In some cases, it may be that we suggest taking a different walking route in order to avoid large areas of grass and pollen. In spring and summer, you may need to keep windows and doors closed and increase cleaning to remove allergens from the environment. Air purifiers are also a great addition to the home for an allergic pet.
- Monthly injectable medication: Similar to immunotherapy, we may suggest that your pet visits us for a monthly injection. Whilst it does not expose them to allergens like immunotherapy, it helps to reduce the itch and relieve symptoms of allergies.
Final thoughts on allergies
Allergies can be a complex issue with our pets and whilst cats and dogs can suffer with hayfever, the actual allergies may be triggered by multiple factors. If you notice that your pet is showing symptoms that may suggest they have an allergy, it is important to contact us as soon as possible.
Working together, we can create a realistic treatment plan that allows you and your furry friend to enjoy the seasons together.
