Grass allergies in dogs, also known as grass pollen allergies or allergic rhinitis, occur when a dog’s immune system reacts negatively to proteins found in grass pollen. Grasses release pollen into the air as part of their reproductive process, and when dogs inhale or come into contact with this pollen, it can trigger an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of Grass Allergies:
Symptoms of grass allergies in dogs may include:
Itching: Dogs with grass allergies often experience intense itching, particularly around the face, paws, and abdomen.
Red or inflamed skin: The skin may become red, inflamed, and may develop hot spots or sores due to excessive scratching or licking.
Watery eyes: Dogs may have watery or teary eyes, and there may be some discharge.
Sneezing and coughing: Dogs may exhibit symptoms similar to those seen in humans with hay fever, such as sneezing and coughing.
Runny nose: Nasal discharge may occur, and dogs may rub their noses with their paws.
Ear infections: Allergies can predispose dogs to ear infections, and dogs with grass allergies may be more prone to developing ear problems.
Lethargy: Some dogs may appear lethargic or less energetic than usual.
If you suspect that your dog has grass allergies, it’s essential to consult with a veterinarian. They can perform allergy testing to determine the specific allergens affecting your dog and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
“Management may involve strategies such as avoiding exposure to grass during peak pollen seasons, using antihistamines, immunotherapy, or other medications to alleviate symptoms. Regular grooming and cleaning can also help minimize exposure to allergens.”
It’s important to note that grass allergies are just one type of environmental allergy that dogs can experience. Other common environmental allergens include tree pollen, weed pollen, mold spores, and dust mites.
Causes of Grass Allergies in Dogs:
Grass allergies are caused by common pollens from grasses such as Bermuda, fescue, alfalfa or rye. They present symptoms similar to allergies caused by pollen from trees (cedar, pine, oak) and weeds (ragweed, pigweed).
“Dogs who love to roll in the grass can contract symptoms from direct contact. Others may experience symptoms by inhaling pollen during a walk or simply by being in an area where grass pollen is present, even indoors.”
Grass allergies occur frequently during the spring and fall, when the grass grows and the pollen leaves behind a yellow trail of dust. If a dog walks in an area where pollen is present and the pollen comes into contact with mucous membranes (nose, eyes, mouth), skin and feet, the dog may experience symptoms.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Grass Allergies in Dogs?
Your veterinarian will obtain a complete history of the symptoms present in your dog, including the duration of symptoms, severity, seasonality, and treatment (if any).
“The next step would be a thorough examination of the fur and skin. The distribution of hair loss, any lesions on the skin such as pimples, rashes, dry or oily skin; scratches (grazes) due to itching, redness, or irritation of the skin (to indicate inflammation) will help determine the diagnosis.”
Sometimes, symptomatic treatment can be initiated based on clinical symptoms alone, without the need for any tests, depending on the case. If topical or conservative treatments are not effective, further testing may be needed to rule out other causes.
1. Allergy testing for your dog:
Your primary veterinarian may be able to perform serum blood tests for allergies. However, the gold standard of allergy testing and the only test that provides the most accurate result is called an intradermal skin test, which is performed by a veterinary dermatologist. The intradermal test is usually performed under mild sedation. One side of the dog’s abdomen is shaved and specific allergens are injected.
“The area is monitored for the presence of hives, indicating an allergic reaction to the specific allergen injected into that location. If allergens are identified, treatment is designed specifically for the individual pet.”
Another option is hyposensitization therapy, which consists of “microdosing” the allergen in the animal to develop resistance over time.
Treatment of Grass Allergies in Dogs:
The goal of treatment will be to manage the symptoms, as most grass allergies in dogs cannot be cured. Treatment is based on the severity of the symptoms. It is always best to consult your veterinarian about the best treatment for your dog. If symptoms are mild, the following topical therapies may be recommended:
Bathe in a hypoallergenic or gentle oatmeal-based pet shampoo: Constant bathing will help remove allergens before they have time to be absorbed into the skin. This can help prevent or reduce itching. There are several brands of oatmeal shampoo available without a prescription.
Try a medicated shampoo: Medicated shampoos are typically not enough to treat an active infection, but they can help prevent an infection from occurring by removing allergens and reducing the amount of bacteria and yeast on the skin. Always talk to your vet about which medicated shampoo would be best for your dog.
Cleaning after spending time outdoors: Making sure your dog’s feet and body are clean after coming indoors helps prevent foot licking and chewing, 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: Benadryl® may be effective for watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing, but is usually not effective for allergic skin conditions (allergic dermatitis). Be sure to discuss dosage with your veterinarian before giving your dog any medications, even over-the-counter ones.
Fatty acids: Omega supplements and fatty acids can help reduce inflammation in your pet’s skin and help with general itching.