A Veterinarian’s Guide to Managing Pet Allergies in the Fall

While allergens can be lurking anywhere and any time of year, autumn is particularly difficult for many pets. Join Animal Care Unlimited as we share our best veterinary advice for managing fall pet allergies.

Knowing Your Allergy Opponents

An allergen is a substance that elicits an immune response (often overexaggerated in an allergic individual). Usually they have a protein component and may be ubiquitous in the environment. 

Common pet allergens that we see in the fall include:

• Pollens
• Grasses
• Dust mites (these often increases as we close up in cooler weather)
• Flea saliva (late summer warm temperatures make fall peak flea season in Ohio)
• Molds (often hiding in piles of wet leaves)

For many pets, the common allergy enemy is their own immune system. Animals who suffer from atopic dermatitis have an abnormal skin barrier and may be triggered by multiple allergens. For these pets, many sensitivities can occur!

Pets who are experiencing fall allergies often have dermatological symptoms. These include itching and scratching, rubbing the face or the ears, licking or chewing the paws, and watery eyes. Some pets may also have visible skin irritation, hair loss, or other lesions. 

Managing Pet Allergies in the Fall

Animal health during the autumn season is just as important as any other time of the year. While there is no cure for allergic skin disease, our veterinary advice for managing fall pet allergies is sure to be helpful. 

Our team’s favorite tips for managing fall pet allergies include:

• Keep up with quality, prescription flea control. Even if fleas aren’t your pet’s main problem, they don’t need any extra help being itchy!
• Skip the Dawn baths. While it’s true that Dawn dish soap can be handy for finding and killing fleas, it is also really good at stripping important oils from the skin. 
• Cleanse the skin. Sometimes physically getting allergens and irritants off the skin can be helpful. Wash paws, rinse the fur, and bathe with medicated calming shampoos.
• Trim the fur! Long fur especially on the paws and legs can hold irritating substances next to the skin.
• Filter the air—using air filters in your home and eliminating places for allergens to hide such as upholstery and carpeting can help. 

Perhaps most importantly, though, don’t wait too long to seek help. Some pets really do need medical attention during fall allergy season, so if things are getting worse instead of better, contact us right away. 

A thorough examination can help us to confirm fall allergies as the primary problem as well as to address secondary skin and/or ear infections that can often occur. From there we will discuss treatment options including topical therapy, supplements, and prescription medications to get your pet some relief.

Don’t let pet allergies be your downfall this autumn. Be on the lookout for trouble and let us help you if need be.