Help Your Pup Beat The Itch — Elite Veterinary Care

Seasonal Allergy Treatments for Dogs

While there is no permanent cure for seasonal allergies, there are many strategies and treatments to help control the symptoms. 

Avoid Potential Allergens

Aside from buying your dog a giant hamster wheel to roll around in all spring, it is impossible to protect them from every potential allergen in their environment. However, you can greatly minimize your dog’s symptoms by taking steps to reduce their exposure to potential allergy triggers. 

• Limit time spent outdoors on high-pollen days

• Wipe your dog’s coat and paws after coming in from outside

• Wash bedding and plush toys in hot water to kill dust mites

• If possible, opt for hard flooring in place of carpets and rugs

• Vacuum carpets and soft furniture often with a high-efficiency air (HEPA) filter vacuum

• Use air conditioning rather than opening windows during pollen season

•  Use air conditioners on recirculation mode to cut humidity 

• Opt for hard, washable toys instead of plush toys

• Use dehumidifiers to help prevent mold and mildew in your home

Antihistamines – Is Benadryl safe for dogs?

Since histamine is one of the chemicals released by the immune system during an allergic reaction, antihistamines can be somewhat effective at minimizing symptoms. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is the most well-known antihistamine for allergies in humans and while it is not FDA-approved for animal use, it is generally safe for use in dogs. However, it is not likely to be effective for seriously itchy dogs.

Before you give a dog Benadryl, speak to your vet. He or she can help you determine the proper dosage and ensure that it will not interfere with your dog’s other medications or conditions.  In most cases, Dr. Kent will only have you give benedryl as a first aid measure until we can come to treat more effectively.

While Benadryl for dogs is generally safe, there are potential side effects, including:

NOTE: Drugs such as Claritin-D, which contains the decongestant pseudoephedrine, are not safe for dogs! Pseudoephedrine can be lethal to dogs even in small amounts. Be sure to avoid these medications and have your vet approve anything you intend to try beforehand.

Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

In addition to antihistamines, medications like corticosteroids can quickly block allergic reactions. However, steroids come with potential side effects, so your vet may prefer to try other options first.

Newer oral medications such as Apoquel and Cytopoint fall into the category of cutting-edge immunotherapy/biologics and are far safer than corticosteroids. Apoquel is an oral medication that blocks specific chemical signals associated with itching in dogs, while Cytopoint is a long-acting injection that can offer six to eight weeks of relief from spring allergies.

“I find Cytopoint (CADI) injections to be far more effective than oral Apoquel,” Dr. Kent says. “When Apoquel tablets are given twice daily for early treatment, they do help. However, when tablet administration is reduced to once a day (safe for longer term treatment), symptoms return. Most Cytopoint injections lead to improvement in 24 hours and will last 6-8 weeks”

Allergy Shots

Veterinary allergy testing has come a long way. A veterinary dermatologist can help you pinpoint the most damaging triggers in your dog’s environment and/or food. This information can then be used to formulate custom allergy shots — or allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) — to help retrain your dog’s immune system. 

The injections are given in gradually increasing doses until you reach a maintenance dose. ASIT tends to work best in young dogs and can give hope to pups that have not had success with other therapies. While allergy shots can dramatically reduce allergy symptoms for some dogs, they tend to work slowly, with optimal results seen after six months to one year.

Flea and tick prevention

Whether you choose an oral or topical product from your vet or opt for a more natural approach, keeping your dog’s environment free of biting pests is essential. Flea saliva is one of the most common allergy triggers in dogs, and just one bite can cause itchy reactions for several days! 

While most dogs have some local itching when bitten by a flea, those with Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) experience intense itching and inflammation throughout their entire bodies. Once FAD takes hold, just eliminating the fleas will not stop the reaction. Most of these itchy pups require antihistamines, corticosteroids, and antibiotics for the associated skin infection in order to heal.

Speak to your vet about the safest and most effective flea and tick treatment for your dog. Dr. Kent currently recommends Simparica, Simparica Trio if traveling with your dog to mosquito-infested areas or Nexguard.

Soothing Baths

Bathing your dog with cool water and soothing shampoos can help minimize itching without drugs or chemicals. It also helps remove microscopic allergens from the skin and coat. Ask your vet to recommend a gentle shampoo that will not strip your dog’s sensitive skin of moisture or cause further irritation. Lots of products claim to help with allergies and itchy skin, but buyer beware, they don’t all live up to the hype.

When bathing is not possible, it may help to rinse your dog’s coat with plain, cool water, especially after swimming, walking through foliage, or rolling in the grass. You can also use pet-safe wipes to remove pollen and potential allergens from the skin, coat, and paws after walks and outings. This may be especially helpful for dogs that frequently lick their paws.

Fatty Acid Supplements

Omega fatty acids offer a natural method of restoring moisture and strengthening the skin’s protective barrier. Fish oil supplements are an excellent source of OFAs and often contain additional skin-protecting ingredients. Fatty acid supplements may also help improve your dog’s response to steroids and antihistamines.