Springtime is a fine time for your pet to pick up a seasonal allergy from all the pollen, spores, grass seeds and dust that’s flying around. Allergies are no fun at all for your cat or dog as they can cause excessive scratching, and even chewing of irritated skin.
The bad news is that if your cat or dog isn’t protected from allergies, their allergic reaction can steadily worsen each year. The good news is you can protect your pet by knowing how to identify the key signs of seasonal allergies and getting them treated immediately. Here are five symptoms to look out for:
Skin irritation
When your cat or dog starts to scratch and lick more than usual, they might have an allergy. The itch can be so awful that they bite or chew their skin! Rubbing against furniture is not uncommon, and all of this adds up to irritated, and often inflamed, skin.
Hair loss
Skin allergies that are left untreated mean your dog or cat will scratch, lick, chew and bite their skin so much that they can suffer hair loss. If your pet is allergic to grass seeds, they’ll start to lose fur on their feet first. If you start to notice your cat’s coat thinning, this may mean their skin is irritated. When cats are itchy they tend to over groom.
Red sores
When your pet’s skin is seriously irritated by an allergy, scratching and biting can break their skin, and wounds can become infected. Bacteria then builds up at that spot and red sores appear. These sores ooze pus and can spread quickly.
Ear infections
Pollen and seeds can creep into your pet’s ear and cause them to have incredibly itchy ears that, left untreated, can result in ear infections. Again, the signs that this is happening are scratching and vigorously shaking their heads.
Runny nose and watery eyes
Sometimes cats and dogs get respiratory problems from allergens and this causes them to have human-like symptoms such as a runny nose and watery, red eyes. They might even start to cough and sneeze too.
What to do if your pet is suffering from allergies
Allergens are picked up outside and stick to your pet’s coat, belly and paws, and can get inside their ears and nose. Check your pet’s paws, give them a bath and groom regularly to help get rid of pollen, dust, spores and seeds. Keep pet beds clean and vacuum carpets too.
If your pet shows any of the above symptoms, please contact us for advice.
