Pets & seasonal allergies: What to look for

DELMARVA – Many people suffer from seasonal allergies, but your furry friends may also be affected.

Experts say allergy symptoms in pets differ from those in humans, so you may not be sure what to look for. Dr. Marianne Bailey with the Queenstown Veterinary Hospital says dogs experiencing allergies may frequently lick their paws or excessively scratch. Cats might excessively groom themselves or have large scabs and areas of hairlessness.

“The big thing you see are things like recurrent issues, like the dog is constantly coming in for ear infections or constantly coming in because they’re licking their paws, they’re really red and swollen, and when you notice the pattern that’s happening more than once or twice you’re seeing that seasonality, that’s when you really need to have that talk with your veterinarian.”‘

Experts say there are a few at-home remedies you can try, such as a cool bath or oatmeal shampoo. But sometimes, your furry companion may need something stronger.

“There are pet safe doses of Claritin and Zyrtec, Benadryl that you can try on your dogs but it’s dosed on their weight so it’s important to check with your veterinarian before giving any of these medications. Sometimes you really need to reach for prescriptions like antibiotics if they have an infection or a stronger allergy medication.”

If you’re not sure if your pet is suffering from allergies, it’s never a bad idea to reach out to your vet.