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Many dog owners like to watch their dogs run across the grass, roll around in the yard, or chase a ball in a park. But what if your dog begins to chew excessively, or starts licking its paws, or red petting (itching) on its skin after outdoor play? These might be grass allergies in dogs, which is a widespread yet overlooked issue that can make your pet feel terrible.
Any pet parent needs to know about dog grass allergy symptoms, causes, and how to cure grass allergies in dogs. In this blog, we’ll divulge everything you need to know about grass allergies: what causes them, how to identify them, how they are diagnosed, and the treatment options for them. We’ll also talk about how to treat dog grass allergy with natural remedies and long-term care tips.
Allergies to grain in dogs are of the environmental type. As people can be allergic to pollen, dust, or mold, dogs can also be allergic to some things in their environment. Grass is one of the most frequent culprits. When speeding or cutting the grass, the proteins in grass become particularly abundant during the spring and summer, and can cause an allergic reaction in hypersensitive canines.
Some dogs may be allergic to the pollen from grass only, while others may be allergic to direct contact with individual grass blades themselves, or even the soil around a component of the grassy compound. This allergy makes the dog’s immune system overreact and irritate the skin, causing itching, etc.
"Why is my dog allergic to grass?" is something many dog owners ask themselves. Some breeds are more prone to environmental allergy than others, and allergies often run in families. Allergies and skin sensitivity are common in breeds such as German Shepherds, Terriers, Bulldogs, and Golden Retrievers. But any dog, no matter what the breed or age, can get a grass allergy.
The immune system in your dog is the underlying cause. Allergy occurs when the body mistakenly identifies harmless molecules, like grass pollen, as threats. Histamines and other chemicals are released in response to this, bringing about pain, inflammation, and itching.
Because dogs cannot express their discomfort or itching, you must recognize the symptoms yourself. The signs of a dog's grass allergy may develop soon after being outdoors, but they may endure for an extended amount of time.
Red or inflamed skin, rashes, runny eyes, sneezing, ear infections, and constant paw scratching, licking, or chewing are common symptoms. You can also notice hair loss in specific areas, such as around the paws or belly. Due to their tendency to scratch and cut themselves frequently, dogs tend to develop chronic skin infections.
Some seasons can increase these symptoms, especially during spring and summer months when grass is most abundant, as well as high pollen counts. Symptoms can become persistent if your dog is always exposed to grass throughout the entire year.
Suggested Read: Identifying & Managing Allergies in Pets
Having an accurate diagnosis is important if you suspect your dog has a grass allergy. Besides looking at your dog's symptoms, a veterinarian will ask about their lifestyle, history, and when the symptoms started. To eliminate other causes, like fleas, food allergies, or infections, they might perform an allergy test or skin scraping.
Intradermal blood or skin testing is one of the most effective ways to diagnose environmental allergies, such as grass allergies. These tests help identify the allergens responsible for your dog's sensitivity. Your vet can recommend the appropriate course of action based on the results.
Your veterinarian will instruct you on how to treat grass allergies in dogs through various methods if your dog has been diagnosed with one. Usually, the therapy aims to reduce symptoms and prevent recurrences.
For itch control and irritability, doctors can prescribe antihistamines, corticosteroids, or targeted allergic medication such as Apoquel or Cytopoint. Under more severe cases, dogs might receive immunotherapy, or allergy shots, that over time decrease the hypersensitivity of their immune system to the allergen.
Applying specific shampoos or conditioners that soothe inflamed skin and eliminate allergies is recommended by most veterinarians. They often contain anti-itching ingredients such as hydrocortisone, oatmeal, and aloe vera. Hot spots and rashes can also be eased by topical sprays and creams.
For a more humane or safer remedy, there are pet owners who prefer natural remedies for dog grass allergies. Natural remedies help promote overall skin health and reduce allergic reactions, but they may not be effective enough to entirely replace medicine in extreme cases.
When used on the skin, coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties, hence its popularity. Apple cider vinegar diluted with water can be used as a natural cleanser, and colloidal oatmeal baths relieve itching areas.
Long-term allergy management for grass allergies can also include probiotics and immune-suppressing vitamins, which can balance your dog's internal system and reduce allergic reactions.
Grass-allergic dogs need both medical attention and lifestyle changes. By modifying things at home, you might keep your dog from being exposed to too much grass or pollen.
Following walks or outdoor playtime, wipe your dog's face, belly, and paws with a damp cloth to remove grass pollen. Bathing your dog more frequently with gentle, allergy-safe shampoos helps eliminate allergens and soothe sensitive skin.
To prevent your dog's skin from coming into contact with grass, use dog-friendly paw balm. When most of the signs are on the paws, booties may be worn for a walk to avoid coming into contact with grass.
Flare-ups may still happen even when your dog is being treated for a grass allergy. Consistency is the secret to long-term management. As instructed by your veterinarian, keep taking any prescription medication, vitamins, or topical treatments.
Watch for signs of pain in your dog's activities, especially following time outdoors. Spend less time outdoors where the lawn is and more time indoors during peak allergy times. If you do have a yard, consider laying down artificial turf, mulch, or gravel so your dog can play in an area where the exposure to grass is minimized.
Your dog's skin barrier and immune system can be kept up by giving them healthy food that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and avoiding exposing them to any unnecessary chemicals, including some lawn products.
Grass allergies in dogs can be frustrating for the owner as well as the pet. Watching your dog lick, scratch, or feel uncomfortable and not know how to help them is heartbreaking. The good news is that despite allergies, your dog can have a cheerful, energetic lifestyle if they are provided the right care, lifestyle changes, and medication.
The initial treatment of dog grass allergies involves diagnosing the symptoms. The symptoms can be alleviated and subsequent reactions prevented using a variety of prescription medications and shampoos, as well as home remedies for dog grass allergy.
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