Recognizing and alleviating pollen allergies in dogs

Boppard. When nature awakens in spring and the first grasses and trees bloom, most dog owners look forward to long walks. But for many four-legged friends, this is the beginning of a stressful time. What many people don't know is that it's not just us humans who suffer from hay fever – dogs can also react allergically to pollen.

Pollen from grasses, trees and herbs can trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive animals. This so-called environmental allergy is one of the most common skin problems in dogs and often presents itself differently than in humans. While we mainly sneeze or get watery eyes, dogs' allergies primarily manifest themselves through the skin.

Recognize a pollen allergy
A pollen allergy often develops gradually. Unlike humans, the main symptom of a pollen allergy in dogs is intense itching. Anyone who observes that the dog licks its paws more often after going for a walk, rubs itself against furniture or shakes its ears noticeably often should pay attention.

Typical signs are:

• Reddened areas of skin: Especially on the paws, between the toes, on the stomach and in the armpits.
• Frequent licking: The dogs try to relieve the itching by licking their paws intensively.
• Ear infections: recurring redness or swelling in the ear canal.
• Watery eyes: rarer than in humans, but possible.

If the allergy remains untreated, constant scratching can lead to secondary infections with bacteria or yeast, which drastically worsens the situation for the animal.

Diagnosis and help
If you suspect that your dog is reacting to pollen, you should definitely visit a veterinary practice. Through blood tests or an intracutaneous test (similar to the prick test in humans) It is possible to determine exactly which grasses or trees the dog is allergic to.

therapeutic approaches
A pollen allergy cannot be cured, but it can be easily controlled. Many dogs do well with a combination of care, routine adjustments, and veterinary support.

• Medicinal support: Modern preparations (such as antihistamines, Apoquel or monoclonal antibodies) can effectively stop itching.
• Hyposensitization: Here, the dog is injected with the allergen in increasing doses in order to slowly get the immune system used to it.
• Topical care: Special medicated shampoos help to mechanically remove pollen from the fur and strengthen the skin barrier.

Prevention in everyday life
Contact with pollen can hardly be avoided completely. Many dogs are helped by simple measures such as washing their paws or improving their skin care, as well as a balanced diet to support the immune system. Tips to reduce risk:

• Paw bath after the walk: A quick wash of the paws with clean water removes most allergens.
• Dog bath: Regular baths with mild, skin-friendly shampoos also help to wash out allergens.
• Fur care: Daily brushing helps remove pollen from the top hair. For severely affected dogs, a damp cloth can work wonders.
• Dog management: In the city the pollen concentration is often higher in the evening, in the country it is more likely in the morning. It's best to schedule your walks at times with lower pollen levels.
• Hygiene: Blankets and pillows from the sleeping area should be washed more frequently in high season. Living spaces should also be kept clean and vacuumed more often.
• Nutrition: Addition of high quality oils (salmon oil, linseed oil) for omega-3 fatty acids as well as zinc and biotin to strengthen the skin barrier. Turmeric, parsley or black cumin oil can also help inhibit histamine release.

A pollen allergy is annoying for dogs, but easy to manage. With a combination of careful observation, veterinary help and a few simple hygiene measures, even a dog with allergies can enjoy the outdoor season without worries. The sooner you react, the better the allergy can be controlled. (SR)