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Everyone dealing with different kinds of allergies knows how difficult and annoying their life can become at the beginning of allergy season. Many of us dread the coming of spring and we do our best to avoid allergens but most of us forget that our dogs are also very susceptible to allergies. We can at least rationalize our allergies but our dear pets are not that lucky. Don’t be surprised if your dog gets nervous and unpredictable during allergy season, just remember how humans feel when spring comes and you’ll understand your four-legged friend.

Just like with humans, dog allergies come in many forms and pains, but they can usually be detected quite quickly, as long as you remember to pay attention to your dog’s behavior. If your dog scratches and bites their skin more often than usual during certain months, if their eyes are watery, nose runny and ears itchy, chances are that they are suffering from an allergic reaction. The best way to deal with this situation is to visit the vet, who can help in alleviating the discomfort. Also, if your dog gets very nervous, they can actually bite their skin until it bleeds, and then a significant number of troubles can arise.

The best-known dog allergy is probably flea allergy. During any season, save winter, your pooch is in danger of getting infested with some of those pesky insects. It might be a few days before you notice that your dog’s got some extra friends on their coat, which you’ll notice because of their incessant biting of the skin and coat. Depending on your dog’s temperament, they might take it calmly or not so much.

In case your pet gets extremely nervous, they can actually make it much worse by irritating the skin until it bleeds. Don’t be scared by this, it is the worst case scenario, but you need to know what you’re getting yourself into. When it comes to flea allergy, your dog’s hind legs, lower back and tail are the most critical areas. The best solution for this problem is a high-quality flea powder, but an even better option is prevention with flea collars and other options your vet might recommend.

Another common allergy is pollen and dust allergy, just like with humans. This condition is called atopy, and you’ll know your dog has it if they lick their feet constantly, have both runny eyes and nose and if they sneeze a lot. One thing to bear in mind is that these allergies, though seasonal at first, can become a year-round nuisance if not treated properly. There are several different approaches to coping with atopy, the most common one being the use of antihistamines, but these can sometimes cause unwanted side effects. There are also some newer drugs that can help your dog in the long run, but they usually take up to few months to kick in. If your doggy is suffering a lot, then you’ll need an immediate solution. Desensitizing injections are another possibility, but for this, you need to know what exactly your dog’s allergic to. These have to be given regularly so that your pet’s body can learn to coexist harmoniously with the allergy. Make sure to consult your vet about the best choice of medications and act accordingly.

Food allergies are also very common in dogs, though many owners can’t figure it out straight away. Though there is this popular belief that dogs get food allergies when they change their diets, this is seldom the case. If you’ve been giving your dog the same kind of food for a long time, there is a chance that their organism can start rejecting it. The most visible symptoms of food allergies are itchy ears and itchy feet. If you suspect that your dog has a food allergy, try changing their nutrition for up to twelve weeks and observe the results. There are many good brands of hypoallergenic foods on the market, so maybe try with those.

Dog allergies can be easily treated but not so easily cured. Make sure to pay attention to your dog’s behavior and if they do have allergies, your vet will help you handle them.