Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
- Kat Geeves
- Oct 31
- 3 min read
With spring upon us here in New Zealand, the grass is growing, flowers are blooming, and pollen is floating through the air. While this is a beautiful time of year, it’s also when many dogs start to struggle with seasonal allergies.
If your dog suddenly seems itchy or uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Seasonal allergies in dogs are common, and they look a bit different to how they do in people.
What Seasonal Allergies Look Like in Dogs
When humans react to spring allergens, we usually sneeze, get itchy eyes, or have a runny nose. Dogs, on the other hand, tend to show it through their skin. The most common signs are:
Licking or chewing at their paws
Scratching their skin until it becomes red or flaky
Ear infections (about 70% of which have an underlying allergy)
Painful hotspots that appear almost overnight
It’s hard to watch your dog suffer like this, and frustrating when flare-ups keep coming back.
What’s Going on Inside
Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to something harmless like pollen or grass. In people, this creates hayfever symptoms. In dogs, their immune system sends out inflammatory signals that target the skin and ears instead.
Technically, most seasonal allergies in dogs aren’t “true” allergies in the medical sense but more like intolerances that set the immune system into overdrive. Dogs with higher levels of inflammation in their body are usually more prone to reacting. Sometimes owners don’t even realise there’s inflammation simmering beneath the surface until the itchy season arrives.
Why Conventional Treatment Often Falls Short
A vet may prescribe medicated shampoos, antibiotics, or steroids to get the symptoms under control. These can help in the short term but they don’t deal with the root cause. As soon as treatment stops, the cycle can start all over again.
This is where an integrative and holistic approach shines. By supporting the immune system, reducing inflammation, and healing the gut, you can change the way your dog’s body responds to allergens in the first place.
The Gut-Skin Connection
There’s a direct relationship between the gut and the skin, known as the gut-skin axis. Around 70–80% of the immune system sits just behind the gut lining, so if the gut isn’t in good shape, the immune system won’t be either.
A diet heavy in commercial kibble can be a big driver of gut inflammation. These diets are high in carbohydrates, which break down into sugar and feed inflammation. Dogs fed this way are much more prone to seasonal allergies.
Healing starts with food. Transitioning to a balanced, whole-food diet that includes cooling proteins such as rabbit can make a big difference. Adding probiotics is another key step, as they restore the gut’s healthy bacteria. I use and recommend MicroMed Oral Probiotic. Topical probiotics, like the MicroMed Probiotic Spray, can also help calm irritated skin from the outside in.
Natural Support for Allergies
There are some fantastic natural tools that can help bring relief:
P.E.A. (Palmitoylethanolamide): A natural anti-histamine alternative that’s well researched for allergy relief. You can read about it here: P.E.A. Plus.
Omega-3 fatty acids: These are powerful inflammation fighters. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines are good sources, but for a concentrated option, Green-Lipped Mussel Oil is the gold standard.
Gut support formulas: Products like Gut Protect provide fibre, herbs, and nutrients that strengthen the gut lining and support the immune system.
Alfie’s Story
My Springer Spaniel, Alfie, is a perfect example. He loves running deep into the bush and rolling around in long grass. A few years ago, every spring he’d flare up with red, flaky skin that would drive him nuts. I made it my mission to build up his immune system and manage his environment better. These days, with the right diet, targeted supplements, and some practical strategies, we rarely see flare-ups. It’s been a huge relief for both of us.
What You Can Do Now
If your dog struggles with seasonal allergies, the best time to act is before the season is in full swing. Healing the gut, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the immune system is a process, not a quick fix. Every dog is different, which is why I create tailored treatment plans for my clients.
If you’d like to explore what will work best for your dog, get in touch with me at The Healthy Hound. Together we can put a plan in place that helps your dog feel more comfortable and resilient this spring and beyond.
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