Millions of dog owners across the UK are being urged to look out for a number of warning signs in their pets.
It comes as the Met Office predicts the perfect conditions for pollen to thrive. High temperatures and low humidity are leading to high counts.
Hay fever sufferers will know all too well how unpleasant the symptoms can be. But it's not just humans who struggle during the summer months.
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Hay fever can also be really uncomfortable for dogs, and the specialists at tails.com have explained how to spot the signs and treat the symptoms.
Dogs tend to experience the allergic reaction in a completely different way to people. And if your dog is particularly sensitive, especially to grass pollen, then it can affect them all year round.
What are the symptoms of hay fever in dogs?
The usual signs that your dog is suffering from atopy include:
- persistent scratching
- red or inflamed skin
- hair loss, and greasy patches of skin in the armpit or belly areas
- itchy feet
- recurrent ear infections
What are the treatments for hay fever in dogs?
Preventative measures include keeping your dog indoors as much as possible on high pollen count days, even if they really want to go and play. This isn't always possible, of course, so if you do let them out make sure you quickly bathe or wipe them down to remove the pollen that has settled on their coat when they come back in.
If your dog is particularly sensitive, you can speak to your vet for other treatment options. They may prescribe steroids or antihistamines to control the itch.
In some cases, your vet may carry out blood tests to find out which allergens your dog is reactive to and develop an individual vaccination to desensitise them to these allergens. This treatment is known as immunotherapy.
Certain breeds are more likely to have hay fever for genetic reasons. These include:
- West Highland terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Boxer
- Pug
- Lhasa Apso
- Shih Tzu
- Golden Retriever
- Dalmatian
- Standard Poodle
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