Just like humans, your pets can have allergies, too. Now that it’s Fall, the weather change will stir up environmental allergens and irritants that can affect you and your pets. Some common clinical signs of dog allergies and cat allergies include:

  • Nasal and eye discharge
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Pruritus (itching/scratching, licking/chewing at body parts)
  • Fur loss or color change (tears and saliva contain porphyrins, which stain light colored fur pink to brown)
There are many different factors that influence your pet’s immune system health, and managing dog allergies and pet allergies can be complicated. Luckily, there are some things you can do to holistically manage your pet’s seasonal allergies. Here’s how you can help control your pet’s allergies all year long.

Prevent fleas year round

Many pet owners think that fleas are only a problem in the warmer months. However, fleas can infect your pet any month of the year and cause severe skin problems. The female flea consumes nearly 15 times her own body weight in blood every day. Protect your pet from fleas by using a preventative once a month to ensure minimal exposure and prevent fleas from infecting your pet.

Avoid outdoor irritants

If you have a dog, don’t walk them through tall grasses or meadows, especially during the spring or fall when pollen counts are higher than normal. If you have an outdoor cat, you’ll want to make sure to limit their time outside between 5 am and 10 am when the pollen count is the lowest.

Wipe your pet’s paws if they’re outside

If you do let your pets outside, simply make sure you wipe off their paws before they come back in. Use a damp towel or hypoallergenic wipes to prevent pollen and other irritants from being tracked into your home.

Regularly vacuum your home

You also want to make sure your home has low allergenic potential. Vacuum all your carpets and upholstery regularly. You should also wash all pet and human bedding at least every seven days. After you vacuum, throw your vacuum bag away or keep your canister sealed away from your home.

Bathe your pet regularly

If your pet has allergies, especially skin issues, then you should be giving them a bath every seven to 30 days. Your family vet might recommend other guidelines based on your pet’s skin and coat needs. Bathing your pet will remove allergens and irritants from your pets skin, and it will also kill and remove bacteria, yeast, fleas, dirt, etc., from your pet’s skin.

Emergency Animal Hospital Tucson

Finally, you want to make sure that you’re scheduling physical exams with your veterinarian on a regular basis. If your pet as a severe allergic reaction, then you might need to look into emergency animal hospitals. You don’t need to wait for an emergency to become familiar with our veterinary services. Get the best care you can find for all of your pet’s health needs. We are more than just an animal hospital. Call 520-888-3177 for more information about our specialty services on site, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.