Do dogs have seasonal allergies? Yes, just like humans dogs can catch seasonal allergies from the environment through pollen, dust mites, and fleas’ saliva.

Your dog may get itchy, sneeze more and have sores around their body when experiencing seasonal allergies. While seasonal allergies cannot be cured, things like allergy shots and anti-itch medications can help a great deal.

In this article, we have discussed how to spot whether your dog has a seasonal or an year-round allergy, causes, symptoms and treatment including best dog allergy chews.

Causes of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

If your dog shows allergy symptoms only during certain times of the year like in fall or spring, it’s more likely a seasonal allergy instead of year-round allergy.

During spring and fall, dust mites. mold and pollen count is highest in the air, triggering dog’s immune system and causing an allergy. When your dog gets sick during a particular season, it shows the dog’s immune system is hypersensitive to specific allergens in the environment.

The following allergens can trigger an allergic response in dogs:

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Flea and ticks
• Molds

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

Dogs experience allergy symptoms mostly through their skin. When a dog is exposed to allergens in the environment, they may get red itchy patches on their body particularly on the paws between the digits, around the eyes, limbs, mouth, ears and tummy. Your dog may experience the following symptoms, too:

• Excessive licking. Mostly of the paws
• Red, inflamed patches on skin
• Excessive scratching and biting the coat
• Shedding hair
• Saliva stains on the fur due to too much licking
• Licking anal glands due to inflammation
• Reverse sneezing
• Darkening and thickening of skin
• Coughing and wheezing
• Watery eyes
• Uncontrollable licking at the paws
• Red, infected ears
• Head shaking due to ear infections

Treatment of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

Seasonal allergies in dogs can’t be fully cured but the right treatment and medications help reduce the symptoms significantly and prevent secondary infections.

There are several treatment options including anti-itch medications, allergy chews and immunotherapy.

1. Anti-Itch Medications

The biggest sign of seasonal allergies is constant itching. Anti-itch medicines control the itch and manage flare-ups by blocking the itch signals from reaching the brain, so the dog feels less itchy. These medications reduce redness and swelling and prevent wounds and bacterial infections caused by scratching.

Examples:

• Zenrelia – blocks itch signals and keeps your dog calm.
• Cytopoint – injected by a vet, provides relief for weeks.
• Apoquel – reduces itching in as little as 4 hours.

Once you know when allergy season starts for your dog, give the medication before symptoms begin and continue one month after the season ends. If itching is not fully controlled, use an inflatable collar to stop your dog from licking or biting their skin.

2. Allergy Chews

Allergy chews are one of the most preferred treatments because they are tasty, easy to give, and dogs think they are treats. They work best for mild to moderate seasonal allergies.

Most of the best dog allergy chews contain:

• Omega-3 fatty acids – reduce inflammation and soothe itchy skin
• Probiotics – support gut health and strengthen immunity
• Colostrum – helps maintain normal histamine levels
• Turmeric / antioxidants – protect skin cells and reduce flare-ups

Allergy chews can be used alone for mild cases or paired with anti-itch medications for stronger relief. In the upcoming sections, we’ll discuss the 5 best dog allergy chews, including Zesty Paws, Better Wild, and more.

3. Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots or Oral Drops)

Immunotherapy is a long-term solution for dogs with recurring or severe allergies. Instead of only reducing symptoms, it trains the immune system to react less strongly to allergens.

First, your dog goes through allergy blood testing or intradermal skin testing to find the exact allergens.

Based on the results, a custom allergy serum is made. This serum is given to your dog as allergy shots or oral drops. The dosage is slowly increased over time to build tolerance and desensitize the dog’s immune system, so it reacts less strongly to allergens. It can take around 3 to 6 months to see the effect.

Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies in Dogs

Along with allergy chews and medications, there are simple steps you can take at home to provide comfort to your itchy dog.

Antihistamines: You can give your dog pet-safe antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Chlor-Trimeton.

Baths: Regular baths with gentle dog shampoos containing oatmeal help can wash away the lingering pollen, soothe the skin, and reduce itching.

Natural Flea and Tick Prevention: Fleas and ticks can worsen itching. Natural ways to prevent flea and tick infestation like the use of essential oils, Cedarwood and Neem oil help break down the outer shells of flea eggs and larvae. Besides natural methods, you can also use flea and tick collar also help repel these pesky parasites.

Wiping Paws: Wiping paws and coat when the dog comes from outside help brush away the allergens. Even better, you can limit outdoor exposure during peak allergy seasons.

Best Dog Allergy Chews

Zesty Paws Dog Allergy Relief

Zesty Paws is one of the best anti-allergy chews for dogs. It provides fast relief from itching and helps calm allergy symptoms, so your dog survives the allergy season. Many pet owners notice their dogs start feeling better within a week of regular use, with less scratching of the ears and skin.

These allergy chews come in yummy flavors like lamb, bison, and hemp. The flavors aren’t too strong, so even picky dogs enjoy them without hesitation.

The formula is packed with high-quality ingredients to target allergies from the inside out such as Colostrum for boosting immune health and maintaining normal histamine levels. The probiotics present in these allergy chews promote healthy gut balance while the Omega-3 fatty acids keep the dog’s skin and coat moisturized, reducing the urge to scratch. Pet parents love Zesty Paws as it reduces inflammation and itching, which helps prevent ear infections.

NaturVet Hemp Allergy Aid Supplement

These hemp seed oil–infused allergy chews work wonders for reducing seasonal allergy symptoms in dogs. Most dogs eat them happily like treats, but if your dog is picky, you can easily mix the chews into their kibble, so they still get the benefits. Also, adjust the dosage according to your dog’s size and weight, because giving too much can cause an upset stomach in some dogs.

Overall, it’s a great product. These chews noticeably reduce scratching and really help with irritation and hot spots. When used alongside your vet’s treatment plan, the results are even better.

The natural ingredients like flaxseed, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids help calm down the itch without causing side effects. The omega fatty acids, flaxseeds, and lecithin also help restore your dog’s coat moisture and improve respiratory health, which is great for dogs who sneeze or get runny noses during pollen season.

PetLab Co. Itch Relief Chews

These soft allergy chews are specifically crafted to help with your dog’s itching and seasonal allergies. The tasty pork flavor makes them appealing to most dogs, and once they start eating them, the powerful ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E begin working to nourish the skin and coat from the inside out.

They may feel a little pricey for some pet parents, but getting 30 chews in one tub is still a pretty good deal when you consider the relief they offer for an itchy dog. You can safely give these chews to dogs aged 12 weeks and older.

Many owners notice improvement in scratching, irritation, and coat health after regular use. The blend of omega-3s helps reduce inflammation, while Vitamin E supports skin repair, making these chews a simple and tasty way to support your dog during allergy season.

PAWFECT Allergy Chews for Dogs

These allergy chews, formulated with salmon fish oil and natural algae, help with your dog’s itching and improve your pet’s immunity too. The fish oil coating helps with hot spots and calms the irritated skin.

The best part is that these allergy chews are free from artificial ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about your dog ingesting harmful ingredients. The omega-3 fatty acids in these allergy chews help reduce inflammation, easing joint pain, which is a common concern for dogs suffering from seasonal allergies.

The duck flavor makes these chews appetizing, so your dog treats them more like a ‘treat’ than medicine. Although it has a yummy flavor, it gives off a strong smell that can put some pet parents off.

Antihistamines for Dogs with Seasonal Allergies

While cetirizine is mainly used for allergies in humans, vets sometimes recommend it for dogs with seasonal allergies as well. The usual guideline is about 1 mg per kg of body weight, but you should always ask your vet before giving it to your dog.

Cetirizine relieves symptoms like itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Some vets also suggest other over-the-counter antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Claritin causes less drowsiness and provides relief for around 24 hours. However, Claritin-D should never be given to dogs because the decongestant in it is toxic for them.

Benadryl, another frequently used antihistamine, is usually given at about 1 mg per pound of body weight, though it can cause some amount of sleepiness in dogs. When using Benadryl, make sure it’s the one containing only diphenhydramine and not the versions mixed with Tylenol, as they can harm dogs.

Tips to Buy the Best Dog Allergy Chews

Choosing the right allergy chews can make a big difference in improving your dog’s comfort during the allergy season. The first thing to look for is the ingredients list. The best dog allergy chews contain ingredients such as Omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, colostrum, and antioxidant. These ingredients help reduce itching, inflammation, and improve immune function.

It’s a good idea to choose allergy chews based on your dog specific symptoms. For example, if your dog constantly licks their paws or suffers from itchy skin, find allergy chews that focus on skin and coat health. Or, if your dog develops ear infections frequently during allergy season, focus on supplements that have been proven to soothe itchy ears.

The bottom line:  Go for allergy chews that contain fewer ingredients, preferrably natural ingredients like turmeric and flaxseeds. If the product is full of artificial or unknown ingredients, it’s best to skip it. Dosage matters a lot, too. Dog allergy chews are given based on dog’s weight and age. So, small dogs need smaller doses while the large dogs may need multiple chews. Giving too much will not speed up the treatment and can even upset the dog’s stomach.

Conclusion

Pollen, mold spores and dust mites all can trigger seasonal allergies in dogs. You can’t completely prevent exposure to these allergens. But you can significantly reduce the symptoms with good allergy chews. If your dog keeps licking its paws, has red, inflamed patches on the skin or shedding more than usual, it’s most likely suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms.

We have picked five of the best dog allergy chews with ingredients like probiotics, colostrum and fish oil that reduce inflammation and improve immune system of your dog. When paired with good grooming habits, and regular vet check-ups, these allergy chews can keep your dog comfortable throughout the allergy season.