Spring Allergies in Pets: Symptoms, Treatments and Tips
Like humans, dogs and cats can suffer from seasonal allergies and weight gain over winter. PetO Vet gives us some tips on what to look for and what you can do to help your Pet feel comfortable, happy and ready for the new season!
Identifying & Treating Allergies
Signs & Symptoms
Coming into the warmer season there are many triggers for allergies such as grass and pollen which can make you pet uncomfortable. Look for signs such as frequent licking and biting, red skin, sneezing and runny nose.
Treatment for Allergies
There are numerous treatments from short term antihistamine/inflammatory medication to long term medication which can be steroid free and work on targeting the protein that causes the itching in your dog. Speak to your vet for the best advice for your pet.
There are also many over-the-counter treatments that can help with the symptoms such as mild shampoos to dietary supplements for your pet’s skin that contain essential fatty acids which may help in reducing the severity of allergy.
Keeping your pet well-groomed, cool and hydrated can also help ease the symptoms. There are many options of premium dog food at PetO specifically formulated for sensitive skin to help support their system and recovery.
Preparing Your Pet For The New Season
Parasite Awareness
When the weather is lovely the parasites come out to play! Be vigilant with flea, tick and heartworm control. If you find your pet scratching around their tail area, it may be fleas. Regularly check your pet for ticks by running your fingers through their fur after a walk in the park. Check your local area to see if it is a hot spot for ticks and avoid if possible. Heartworm can be hard to diagnose so it is best to keep your worming up to date for the well-being of your pet.
Treatment
Treatment can be a heartworm injection with your vet, monthly chews, tablets or spot-on treatments. There are many options to suit your pet and lifestyle.
Flies can also be nuisance for your pet and be very painful for your dog during the warmer months. Using repellents such as Troy Repel X is very effective at keeping your dog comfortable and safe from bites.