Warmer weather is finally emerging, and many pet owners are itching to get outside and enjoy the nice, springtime weather as soon as they can. But for owners of a dog with seasonal allergies, another kind of itching may stop you and your furry friend in your tracks.

Much like humans, dogs can develop seasonal allergies caused by allergens like ragweed, grasses, pollen, mold and trees. Some allergens may cause reactions through direct contact with a substance, while others can wreak havoc on your dog’s comfort by simply being inhaled. Springtime, in particular, can cause flare-ups of seasonal allergies due to all the new life in bloom.

If your dog has seasonal allergies, you might think outdoor excursions are a lost cause—taking your pooch for a walk or for playtime in the park isn’t necessarily worth hours of obsessive scratching, hot spots and skin infections. However, you don’t have to let your dog’s allergies prevent you from heading to the great outdoors!

Identify the cause

The first step to minimizing your dog’s allergy symptoms is to know what causes them. If you’ve noticed that spring is particularly challenging for your dog’s symptoms but haven’t visited a vet, now is a great time to do so. A veterinary professional can run blood and skin tests to determine the specific allergens that cause your dog’s flare-ups, which can help you make more informed decisions about how you and your pooch spend your time.

Once you know which allergens to avoid, you can then keep your dog away from those triggers and better treat any future symptoms. Try these four tips to prevent allergy flare-ups in your pets and spend more time outside this spring.

1. Limit the exposure

Identifying and understanding the seasonal allergens that cause your dog to react can help you limit the exposure to those allergens as much as possible. Perhaps your dog really only gets allergy symptoms when it has direct contact with a particular weed? By monitoring its behavior and keeping it away from the weed, you should still be able to take your pup for a walk and avoid problems, for example.

In general, staying on sidewalks and other paved areas can help minimize the reactions your dog may have to springtime allergens. If keeping your dog off the grass is difficult, try having it wear boots to prevent direct contact. This way, both you and your furry friend can still get exercise and exposure to the warm spring air.

2. Gives lots of baths and foot wipes

When your dog comes in from outside—whether they were in the back yard or the dog park—use a clean towel to wipe their feet. This can remove any potential allergens from their paws, minimizing reactions, and will prevent them from tracking allergens throughout the house and into the places where they sleep.

Additionally, bathing your dog regularly can remove allergens from the skin and soothe any potential irritation caused by a flare-up. Use a natural shampoo designed specifically for allergy-prone dogs for the best results.

3. Provide supplements or topical treatments

Allergies are responses from your pet’s immune system, so it’s important to keep them as healthy as possible during peak allergy season. Adding a natural supplement to your dog’s daily meals can help support their immune system and histamine responses, reducing allergy-related flare-ups and symptoms when they spend time outside.

If your dog does get a reaction after being outside, applying topical creams and gels can help soothe smaller patches of skin that might be experiencing itchiness or inflammation. Acting quickly and using the right products can keep a minor reaction from evolving into a major one.

4. Use over-the-counter medications and antihistamines

For dogs with more severe seasonal allergies, your vet might recommend that you give them medications, over-the-counter antihistamines or even steroids to mitigate reactions to allergens. These medications may come with side effects, though, so you should always consult your vet before administering any medication. Once you find the appropriate type and amount, you will probably be able to head outside more often without worrying about flare-ups!

It’s important to remember that seasonal allergies in pets cannot really be cured—only closely managed. Helping your dog avoid its seasonal allergens may require a few lifestyle changes, but it doesn’t have to prevent you from going outside. Be careful to monitor your pet and its symptoms, understand its allergies and take action as soon as you think a reaction may be occurring.設計 名古屋市магазин фанатик