4 Things You Can Do To Help Your Dog Fight Pollen Allergies
Springtime is often associated with allergies. Allergies can cause swollen eyes, red and itchy skin, sneezing, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea – and this is just in your dog. Some dogs are as susceptible to allergic reactions as their human owners when the flowers and trees start to bloom and fill the air with pollen. Here are 3 things you can do to help your dog if it is allergic to pollen.
Restrict Outside Time
On some spring days, you can look out your window and see the pollen floating through the air – those are days when you know your dog should be kept inside except to go out to go to the bathroom. However, you can't always tell how much pollen there is in the air and you'll have to rely on other ways to find out. The easiest way to know what the pollen level outside is on any given day is to look at your local weather report on TV or online. The higher the pollen count the more likely it will adversely affect your dog.
Regular Shampoos
Pollen that gets on the paws, hair, and skin of your dog can bother them once they come back inside – even if they only went outside for a few moments. You should bathe your dog once or twice a week – depending on the severity of their symptoms – to remove the pollen that is clinging to their body. Look for a hypoallergenic shampoo that is specifically made for dogs. Avoid using shampoos made for people. The chemicals in shampoos made for people can dry out the dog's skin and cause further inflammation, itchiness, and discomfort for your pet.
Get an Air Purifier
No matter how hard you try pollen can still get into your home through the opening and closing of doors and windows. If your dog is bothered by pollen coming into the home, you should buy a HEPA air filtering system to remove the pollen. Look for an air filtering system that can remove up to 99.9 percent of the pollen in your home to get your inside air as pollen free as possible.
Hypoallergenic Bedding
Make sure your dog has hypoallergenic bedding to rest and sleep on. Hypoallergenic bedding material is typically made of textiles and fillers that help to repel the pollen to help give your dog a safe place to lie down. You can also buy hypoallergenic covers for your couches and chairs if your dog likes to lie down on those during the day.
If the allergic symptoms persist, or get worse, you should consult a veterinarian at a clinic like Bayshore Animal Hospital & Bird Practice to see what other measures you can take to help your dog.