Is My Dog Allergic to Grass? 6 Signs to Watch for and How to Manage It

Oh, the skittish and zoomy outdoors! Our dogs love those walks, garden zooms, and burning off their inexhaustible energy in grassy patches. But sometimes, you’ll have a dog allergic to grass.

A grass allergy is a common thing. Studies find that 80% of dogs suffer from a form of grass, tree, or weed allergy, which can severely impact your dog’s quality of life. If your dog has an allergy of this nature, it’s essential to identify the signs and provide the appropriate care where applicable.

This article covers what grass allergy symptoms to watch for and when to seek the vet and allergy treatment.

Grass Allergy In Your Dog: Understanding It

A grass allergy occurs when your dog’s body overcompensates to deal with an allergen found in the grass, including grass pollen and proteins. Unlike other issues discovered in the grass, such as ticks and fleas, these substances aren’t harmful in and of themselves, but when they enter into your dog’s system, their system mistakes them as so and releases histamines to deal with them.

This causes a host of symptoms, such as itchy skin, stuffy nose, sneezing, and snoring more intensely than usual due to throat inflammation, vomiting, diarrhea (not as common), and runny eyes.

Grasses such as Bermuda, fescue, alfalfa, and rye carry similar symptoms to allergies caused by trees. And many of them are environmental allergies due to excess pollen in the spring, for instance.

Signs of Grass Allergies in Your Dog

Itchy Skin & Scratching

The most common symptom of a grass pollen allergy or an allergic reaction, in general, is itching skin. Grass allergies cause your dog to do excessive scratching, which negatively impacts their skin. It gets sore and exacerbates the symptom as a whole.

Red & Irritated Skin

It also leads to red and irritated skin, which can be an isolated cause of allergies. Your dog’s skin can be red or pink and very sore looking, and it carries a risk of secondary infections due to skin irritation.

Paw Chewing & Licking

Of course, your dog will chew their paws and lick the irritated and itchy areas. Your dog often doesn’t know what’s good for her, so give allergy relief with a soothing cream. To take care of paws, try out paw soaks. Otherwise, you risk paw pad irritation, which is a definite decrease in your furry friend’s quality of life.

Watery Eyes & Sneezing

Grass allergies might also manifest as respiratory symptoms such as watery eyes and frequent sneezing. These symptoms may not seem notable, but they can indicate an allergy.

The allergies harm the skin barrier. It breaks down, increasing the amount of wax found in the ear canal, allowing the low number of normal yeast and bacteria on the skin and in the ear to overproduce and allow more severe strains of bacteria to thrive. This leads to inflammation, discomfort, and your dog’s ears will leak fluids.

Ear Infections

While it seems implausible, grass allergies can cause ear infections too. The allergies break the skin barrier down, generating more wax in the dog’s ear canal. This permits the regular numbers of yeast and bacteria to over-generate and build a breeding ground for themselves, giving your dog inflammation, pain, and ear discharge. Nasty.

Digestive Upset

This last one isn’t as common, but sometimes a grass allergy can cause digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. At least with this, it’s not so subtle and is a sign that your dog needs veterinary attention.

How to Manage Your Dog’s Grassy Allergy

It’s minimizing to manage your god’s exposure to grass, especially during the pollen season. You should also regularly groom and clean your dog. Not just their fur but also their paws, nails, and other secreted zones. Furthermore, keep a clean home, which will help you along even further and create a healthy living space for you and your dog.

Vet Guidance & Allergy Testing

But it’s vital to consult the vet for a proper diagnosis. Guides are good for basic information, but your vet can give you a diagnosis specific to your dog. They can teach you to identify specific allergy triggers and allergy testing options.

Medications & Allergy Relief

There are many dog allergy relief products out there, from shampoo to eye cleaners. Antihistamines and corticosteroids can help manage symptoms too.

Managing Your Furry Friend’s Grass Allergy

There are many symptoms that denote grass allergies, and they are worth watching out for. A stitch in time saves nine when it comes to doggy health. Take proactive measures, avoid risks, and you will keep your dog as comfortable and healthy as possible.

Want to know more about how to be a responsible pet owner? Check out our website for all things cute and furry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can grass allergies in dogs develop suddenly?

They can start at any age, but for most pooches, it begins around age 1, after previous exposure to allergens.

Are grass allergies more common in specific dog breeds?

Yes, golden and Labrador retrievers are more prone to grass allergies than others.

Can grass allergies be cured or only managed?

Unfortunately, a complete cure is unlikely. But you can take steps to monitor it and minimize the effects.

How can I create an allergy-friendly environment for my dog?

Keep a clean home, wash your dog’s fur regularly, and avoid letting your dog roam around in long grass for too long.

Should I change my dog’s diet to manage grass allergies?

Yes, nutrition is another option when managing a dog allergy. You can purchase certain supplements that treat your dog’s seasonal allergy, skin allergy, and other dog symptoms, and some of them taste pretty good to your pooch.