🌸 Spring Allergies in Pets: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know.

As spring approaches, flowers bloom, the air warms, and unfortunately for many pets, so do allergy symptoms. Just like humans, pets can react to environmental triggers such as pollen, dust mites, mold, and grasses.

What often confuses pet owners (myself included) is that food is often blamed first. After all, when your dog suddenly starts scratching or develops red, irritated skin, it feels logical to suspect the food bowl. But the truth is, environmental allergies can look almost identical to food allergies — and that’s why it’s important to know the difference before spending months changing foods unnecessarily.

🐾 Environmental vs. Food Allergies: How to Tell the Difference

Environmental Allergies (Seasonal or Year-Round):

• Often worse in spring and summer when pollen counts rise.

• Symptoms include:

  
  

  • Itchy paws (lots of licking or chewing)

  • Red, inflamed skin (often on belly or armpits)

  • Recurring ear infections

  • Sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose (less common but possible)

• 
  

• Symptoms may improve when seasons change or after a good bath to remove allergens.

Food Allergies (Year-Round):

• Can happen any time but symptoms stay consistent regardless of the season.

• Symptoms may include:

  
  

  • Itchy skin (similar to environmental allergies)

  • Chronic digestive upset (vomiting, diarrhea, soft stools)

  • Sometimes ear infections too, but not always seasonal.

  
  

The biggest clue? If the symptoms disappear in winter but flare up in spring or summer, it’s often environmental, not food.

🐶 A Personal Note: Barnaby’s Story

For years, we went back and forth trying to solve my dog Barnaby’s itching and skin flare-ups. We tried elimination diets, new foods, special vet formulas—you name it.

It wasn’t so much the food — though we tried plenty of diets — it was the environmental allergies flaring up each spring and summer. Pollen, dust, and grass were the real culprits, but it took years of trial and error to figure that out.

That’s why I always remind pet owners: look at the whole picture before you assume it’s just the food.

🌿 Natural & Holistic Ways to Support Your Pet

Alongside vet care, there are natural and holistic steps you can take to ease allergy discomfort and strengthen your pet’s immune system:

• Probiotics or Greek Yogurt: Supports gut health, which is linked to skin and immune health.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil): Reduces inflammation and helps soothe itchy, irritated skin.

• Daily Paw Washing: Rinsing paws after walks removes pollen and irritants.

• HEPA Air Filters: Keep indoor air cleaner for pets with airborne allergies.

• Bathing with Natural Shampoos: Oatmeal or aloe-based shampoos can calm the skin.

• Work with a Pet Naturopath: They can guide you on safe herbs, supplements, and diet tweaks that support long-term health naturally.

📝 Key Takeaways

. Allergies can start at any age — even if your pet has never had issues before.

• Food isn’t always to blame; environmental factors often trigger flare-ups.

• The right approach combines veterinary care, natural support, and lifestyle changes for the best results.

Louise Robinson

Pawsome Grub

August 2025