Environmental allergies, or atopy, can cause various health conditions in your cat or dog. From pollen to dust mites, grasses to weeds, your four-legged friend can develop allergic reactions to various triggers, leading to discomfort and health issues. Our Heartland Veterinary Hospital team describes environmental allergies’ causes, signs, and treatment options to enhance your furry pal’s well-being.

Environmental allergy triggers in pets

Springtime offers bountiful blooms, verdant foliage, and seasonal allergies. However, many environmental allergens surround pets year-round. Your pet may react to the following common allergens: 

  • Pollen — Like people, pets can be allergic to tree, grass, and weed pollen, especially in spring and fall. However, outdoor allergens affect some pets year-round.
  • Dust mites — These microscopic pests thrive in household dust and can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive cats and dogs. Dust contains discarded skin, dust mites, and other particles that can cause problems for your pet.
  • Mold spores — Mold can grow in damp environments indoors and outdoors, and pets can develop allergies to these spores. If you suspect your home has mold, you need to enlist a professional to investigate, as mold spores can cause serious health problems for your family, including your four-legged family member.
  • Flea saliva — Fleas commonly cause pets’ allergies, as some react to the proteins in flea saliva, experiencing itchiness that leads to scratching and skin irritation. To mitigate your pet’s risk of getting fleas, maintain your furry pal’s year-round parasitic prevention, which helps keep fleas, ticks, and heartworms at bay.
  • Household chemicals — Certain cleaning products, detergents, and perfumes contain chemicals that can irritate your pet’s skin and respiratory system. These chemicals are considered airborne allergens. 

Many pets develop allergic reactions to foods, grasses, plants, and other environmental substances. To determine the allergen that is affecting your pet, our Heartland Veterinary Hospital team should perform a thorough exam. 

Pet environmental allergy signs

Most pets with atopy develop skin issues related to chronic itching. Common allergic skin issue signs include:

  • Itchy skin — Your pet may be chronically scratching, licking, or chewing their itchy skin, paws, or ears.
  • Redness and irritation — Your pet’s skin may appear red and inflamed, or they may develop hot spots, which are raised, inflamed lesions.
  • Hair loss — Itchiness can lead to excessive grooming, causing bald spots.
  • Ear infections — Pets with environmental allergies may develop recurrent ear infections.
  • Upper respiratory issues — Sneezing, coughing, and wheezing can occur in pets with allergies triggered by airborne allergens.

Treating environmental allergies in pets

If your pet exhibits allergy signs, schedule an appointment with our Heartland Veterinary Hospital veterinarian for a thorough exam. Before your pet’s visit, note when the allergic signs started and when they are most problematic such as during the morning hours. Our team may also perform allergy tests, such as skin and blood tests, to identify the specific allergen causing your pet’s reaction. Depending on your pet’s allergy signs, our team may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

  • Medications — Antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, or immune-modulating drugs can help alleviate your furry friend’s allergy issues.
  • Immunotherapy — Allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy can desensitize your pet to allergens over time. Immunotherapy’s goal is to introduce the allergen gradually so that your pet’s immune system learns to tolerate these substances.
  • Topical treatments — Medicated shampoos, sprays, and ointments can soothe irritated skin and manage secondary infections.
  • Avoidance — Minimizing exposure to known allergens, such as keeping your pet indoors during high pollen seasons or using hypoallergenic bedding, can minimize allergen exposure. Regularly bathing your four-legged friend with an oatmeal or hypoallergenic shampoo can soothe the issue and help rid their fur and skin of pollen and other substances. 

Environmental allergies can significantly impact your pet’s health and well-being by causing discomfort, itchiness, and distress. However, you can effectively manage their allergies and enhance their well-being by consulting with our Heartland Veterinary Hospital team. If you suspect your pet has an allergy, give us a call.