Grass Allergies in Dogs: How to Identify and Manage

Identifying grass allergies in dogs can be a challenge, but knowing the signs is crucial. Dogs with grass allergies may exhibit symptoms such as excessive scratching, chewing, and licking of the paws and belly.

These symptoms are often accompanied by skin irritation, redness, and hair loss. In severe cases, dogs may even develop skin infections.

Dogs with grass allergies can experience symptoms year-round, but they tend to worsen during peak grass growth periods.

Grass allergies in dogs are more common than you might think. They can occur in dogs that enjoy rolling in the grass, or even just being near it.

Grass allergies are often seasonal, happening during the spring and fall when grass is growing and pollen is present.

Dogs can get symptoms from direct contact with grass, inhaling pollen, or even just being in an area where grass pollen is present.

Contact allergies can develop into practically anything and at any age, and grass allergies are no exception.

Intriguing read: Do Dogs Have Pollen Allergies

Symptoms of grass allergies can range in severity, but may include skin irritation, itching, inflammation, redness, and irritation of the skin (atopic dermatitis), skin infection or irritation, respiratory issues, shedding and hair loss, scooting, ear infections, and more.

Common symptoms of grass allergies in dogs include scratching or biting at skin, inflammation, redness, and irritation of the skin, skin infection or irritation, respiratory issues, shedding and hair loss, scooting, ear infections, and more.

If you suspect your dog has a grass allergy, it's essential to have them diagnosed by a veterinarian to rule out other causes of itching and skin problems.

Here are some common symptoms of grass allergies in dogs:

Symptoms of grass allergies in dogs can be quite varied, but some common signs include constant itching, scratching, and licking, especially on the face, armpits, and sides of the body. A rash may also appear, but due to the haircoat on dogs, redness and a visible rash may be difficult to see.

Some dogs may experience more severe symptoms, such as redness of the skin, inflammation, and skin infections. In rare cases, grass allergies can also cause respiratory issues, such as coughing and wheezing.

Here are some common symptoms of grass allergies in dogs:

If you suspect your dog has a grass allergy, it's essential to consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible. They will obtain a complete history regarding the symptoms present in your dog, including symptom duration, severity, seasonality, and treatment (if any).

Dogs of any age, breed, or size can develop allergies, but some breeds are more prone to grass allergies. Bulldogs, for example, are more likely to suffer from allergies.

German Shepherds, Miniature Schnauzers, Pugs, Retrievers, Setters, and Terriers are also common breeds that develop allergies. These breeds may experience more severe symptoms due to their genetic predisposition.

Dogs over three months of age can develop allergies, which is why it's essential to monitor your pet's behavior and health during this period.

Here's a list of breeds that are more likely to develop allergies:

Symptoms of grass allergies in dogs can vary, but common signs include itching, scratching, and licking, especially at the face, armpits, and sides of the body. These symptoms can be constant and cause discomfort for the dog.

A rash may also appear, but due to the haircoat on dogs, redness and a visible rash may be difficult to see. Some dogs may develop bald spots from excessive scratching.

In addition to skin symptoms, dogs with grass allergies may also experience respiratory issues, such as coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. They may also exhibit symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and red and watery eyes.

The symptoms of grass allergies in dogs can be similar to other skin afflictions, making diagnosis challenging. However, if the dog is itchy only during the spring and summer months, grass could be the culprit.

To diagnose grass allergies, veterinarians will obtain a complete history of the dog's symptoms, including duration, severity, seasonality, and treatment. They will also perform a thorough examination of the haircoat and skin to determine the distribution of hair loss and any lesions.

Some veterinarians may initiate treatment based on clinical symptoms alone, while others may recommend further testing, such as serum blood testing or an intradermal skin test. The intradermal test is considered the gold standard of allergy testing and involves injecting specific allergens into the dog's skin to monitor for an allergic reaction.

Here are some common symptoms of grass allergies in dogs:

If you suspect your dog has a grass allergy, consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action.

The goal of treatment will be to manage symptoms, as most grass allergies in dogs cannot be cured. Treatment is based on the severity of symptoms, and it's always best to consult with your veterinarian on the best treatment for your dog.

For mild symptoms, topical therapies may be recommended, such as bathing in a hypoallergenic or mild oatmeal-based pet shampoo, which can help remove allergens before they're absorbed into the skin. Consistent bathing can prevent or decrease itching.

For another approach, see: Best Dog Food for Malnourished Dogs

Cleanliness after spending time outdoors can also help prevent licking and chewing of feet, a symptom of itching. You can use mild soap and water, aloe pet wipes, or medicated wipes that contain an antimicrobial and antifungal ingredient.

Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, may be effective for watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing, but they're usually not effective for allergic skin conditions. Be sure to discuss dosage with your vet before giving your dog any medication.

Fatty acids, such as omega supplements, can help decrease a pet's skin inflammation and help with general itchiness.

For moderate to severe symptoms, other therapies may be recommended, including short doses of corticosteroids, allergy medication, and immunotherapy or hyposensitization therapy.

Immunotherapy or hyposensitization therapy can be used if the allergens have been identified by a blood or intradermal skin test. The treatment can be given in the form of weekly injections or an oral liquid medication, each of which are formulated specifically for the dog based on the results of the allergy test.

Here are some common treatments for grass allergies in dogs:

Remember, managing grass allergies in dogs requires a combination of these treatments, and it's essential to work with your veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment for your dog.

Your veterinarian will obtain a complete history regarding the symptoms present in your dog, including symptom duration, severity, seasonality, and treatment (if any).

Symptoms can vary in severity and may worsen over time if left untreated. A thorough examination of the haircoat and skin will help determine the diagnosis.

The distribution of hair loss, any lesions on the skin such as pimples, rashes, dry or oily skin; scratches (excoriations) due to itching, redness, or skin irritation will help determine the diagnosis.

Symptomatic treatment can be initiated based on clinical symptoms alone, without any testing needed, depending on the case.

However, if topical or conservative treatments are not effective, further testing may be needed to rule out other causes.

Your primary veterinarian can perform serum blood testing for allergies, but the gold standard of allergy testing is the Intradermal Skin Test, which is performed by a veterinary dermatologist.

The intradermal test is usually performed under mild sedation, and specific allergens are injected into the dog's skin to monitor for an allergic reaction.

If the allergens are identified, treatment is designed specifically for the individual pet.

Improvement can be seen in your dog within the first several months, but it can take up to 12 months in some cases.

To manage symptoms effectively, it's essential to stick to the treatment regimen for the rest of your dog's life.

If you stop the treatment, the signs will likely come back and may be worse than before.

You can expect to see a significant reduction in symptoms, with a treatment being considered successful if symptoms are reduced by 80% or less itching.

It's not a 100% cure, but rather a way to make your dog more comfortable and prevent secondary infections from scratching.

Atopic dermatitis, often used as a synonym for atopy in dogs, is a common condition caused by allergies to environmental substances like tree pollens, grass pollens, and house dust mites. Most dogs start showing signs between one and three years of age.

The main allergens for atopic dermatitis in dogs include tree pollens, grass pollens, weed pollens, molds, mildew, and house dust mites. Many of these allergies occur seasonally, such as ragweed, cedar, and grass pollens, while others, like molds and mildew, are present year-round.

Atopic dermatitis manifests with itchy skin (pruritus), causing dogs to rub their face, lick their feet, and scratch the axillae (underarms). Treatment for atopic dermatitis depends largely on the length of the specific allergy season and may involve anti-inflammatory therapy, shampoo therapy, hyposensitization or desensitization therapy, or nutritional therapy.

Here are some common symptoms of contact allergy in dogs:

Contact allergy is the least common type of allergy in dogs, resulting from direct contact with allergens like pyrethrins found in flea collars, pesticides, grasses, and materials used in carpets or bedding.