Seasonal allergies can be a round-the-clock pain

    

Ah, the joys of seasonal allergies—and yes, our pets can suffer from them, too! From pesky tree pollens to grass and weed allergens, our pets can find themselves scratching and itching their way through allergy season.

 

But it's not just the great outdoors causing trouble. Mold, mildew and house dust mites can wreak havoc year-round, even for indoor pets.

While we humans might sneeze and cough our way through allergy season, our pets tend to be itchy and uncomfortable. They may rub their face, lick their feet and scratch their underarms. Other signs include red, watery, goopy eyes; skin sores or scabs; hair loss; and scooting or licking their rear end.

Thankfully, there are ways to help!

Skin testing can be used to pinpoint the allergen causing your pet’s discomfort, but since it’s hard to shield your pet completely from environmental triggers, your best bet is to control their signs. Your veterinarian will recommend treatment specific to your pet during allergy season. Treatment may include the following:

• Anti-itch medications, such as Apoquel Chewable. Your veterinarian can recommend one of several medications that calm the itchiness, helping your pet stay comfortable through allergy season. Apoquel Chewable (oclacitinib chewable tablets) is among the new generation of highly effective anti-itch medications for dogs, blocking the itch right at its source, quickly and safely.
• Shampoo therapy. Regular bathing with a hypoallergenic shampoo not only soothes inflamed skin, but also washes away those pesky allergens. 
• Hyposensitization therapy. Also known as “allergy shots,” these injections can help desensitize your pet to specific allergens over time, reducing their reaction and offering long-term relief. 
• Your veterinarian will need to rule out other potential issues like flea or food allergies, skin infections or mites, since these look similar to environmental allergies.

Armed with the right treatment and a little extra TLC, you can help your pet breeze through those itch-inducing days of spring, summer and fall!

Browse all your pet’s anti-itch needs—including shampoos, conditioners and anti-itch medications. >>