I think we can all agree, Spring time in California is a wonderful time, it brings blooming flowers & lovely temperatures — but also....seasonal allergies.
SYMPTOMS OF SPRING ALLERGIES:
Constant itchy skin is the most common symptom of allergies in your dog. On top of scratching, this also includes: biting, scooting, and excessive licking. It's important to keep an eye on your dogs skin for hot spots and signs of inflammation.
Brushing your dog daily can help keep you familiar with your dogs body and be able to notice when (if) there are changes, whether it be skin allergies, hot spots, wounds, bumps/lumps etc. Knowing your dogs skin, coat, and over-all body is important for knowing when it's time to take them for a vet check-up.
The same way we might sneeze more often when there's pollen in the air and our allergies kick in, so do our furry best friends. While it's normal for your dog to sneeze from time to time, excessive sneezing is something to watch for as a common side effect of dog allergies.
Difficulty breathing, wheezing or other respiratory problems could also indicate the presence of allergies.
Ear wax in your dogs ears is completely normal. But if there's so much wax you can't even look into your dogs ear — something is up. Signs of ear infections include inflammation and redness in the ears as well as a bad odor occasionally accompanying these symptoms. Additionally, if your dog is continuously shaking their head back and forth, or scratching their ears constantly — they could have an ear infection.
If your dog is experiencing ANY of these symptoms, you should take your dog for a check-up. Keeping a written record of severity & duration of your dog’s symptoms will be useful if your dog requires a trip to the veterinarian. Whether it be seasonal allergies or coming from something else, it's important to have all the information possible to get a proper diagnosis for your dog.
HELPING YOUR DOG WITH ALLERGIES:
1. KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN
Clean your home regularly and thoroughly, to eliminate dust & pollens that irritate your dog’s allergies. This includes frequent dusting, vacuuming all carpeted areas, cleaning and replacing air filters and laundering linens, including your dog’s bedding.
2. INVEST IN AN AIR PURIFIER
Air purifiers help improve air quality in your home by capturing and eliminating some common contaminants that may contribute to your pet’s allergies. Place your air purifier in the room your dog spends most of their time.
3. GIVE YOUR DOG A BATH
Give your dog regular baths during the spring to keep their fur and skin clear of any irritants. In between baths, use pet-safe wipes to clean your dog’s paws, ears and fur after walks.
4. PLAN YOUR WALKS CAREFULLY
Adjust your daily walk to avoid areas with too many pollen-producing plants. You should also avoid taking your dog for a walk when pollen levels are high. Pollen levels are typically at their highest in the morning and on dry, warm days.