4 pet fall seasonal allergies — and how to treat them

Cats and dogs aren’t immune to the itchy slings and painful arrows of mother nature. Just like humans, pets can suffer from seasonal allergies. Read on to learn which allergies pet parents should be aware of this autumn, how to recognise the symptoms, and how you can help your four-legged friend feel better.

What causes dog and cat fall allergies?

The common triggers of allergies for cats and dogs in autumn include moulds and pollen. These allergies tend to manifest as atopic dermatitis, AKA atopy, a skin condition marked by itching and inflammation.

Allergies can occur any time of year, depending on what your pet’s immune system reacts to. However, here are the major pet allergens to be aware of this fall:

#1 Pet pollen allergies in fall

Plants, trees, and grasses produce pollen grains in order to fertilise other plants. That’s great for the circle of life, but it can wreak havoc on canine and feline immune systems. (Human ones, too.) From August to November, ragweed is the primary pollen pest, causing dog allergies in September and October.

Common symptoms of pet allergies

• Excessive licking and scratching

• Red and/or stinky ears and ear infections

• Red or irritated skin

• Sneezing

• Rashes and hives

• Head shaking

• Hot spots (areas of hairlessness and oozing/inflamed skin)

• Lethargy

• Puffy eyes/eye discharge

How to defend against pet pollen allergies

The most important thing is to avoid exposure. That's easier said than done, of course. But you'll minimise your pet’s exposure to pollen if you limit their time outdoors during allergy season, especially during high-pollen days. (Weather services often forecast pollen counts, so it's easy enough to look it up.)

Also important to know: Ragweed pollen levels are at their highest in the morning through the mid-afternoon. If you're worried about allergies, late afternoons and evenings are the best times for your pet to be outside for longer stretches.

#2 Dog and cat dust mite allergies

These eight-legged arthropods can find their way onto your pet’s skin, or even get inhaled directly into their lungs. They’re also microscopic, so you won’t see it happening. (Yikes!) Dust mites tend to be most common between May and October.

Common symptoms of dust mite allergies

• Scratching

• Licking

• Coughing/sneezing/wheezing

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Ear infections

• Skin irritation

• Red/watering eyes and nose

How to defend against dust mite allergies

Dust mites thrive in, well, dust. That means a clean home is your pet’s best friend during the fall allergy season. Stick to a regular cleaning schedule, and consider deploying a damp microfiber cloth to target dust. A standard dry cloth can simply disperse dust into the air without actually removing it from your home. Vacuuming and thorough carpet/rug cleaning can also work wonders.

You should also pay attention to your home’s temperature and humidity levels. Dust mites don't fare as well in temperatures under 21°C or under lower humidity (less than 50%, ideally). Dehumidifiers, fans, and air conditioners can help.

Oh, and be sure to pay close attention to your pet’s stuff — and to your pet, for that matter. You should bathe a dog at least weekly, ideally with an anti-allergen shampoo. (You can do the same for a cat if you think they’re at risk, even if you’re not used to giving your feline friend baths.) You can also stave off dust mites by regularly washing your pet’s bedding; several brands even make anti-allergen laundry detergents.

#3 Mould allergies in dogs and cats

Mould thrives in wet and rotting leaves, so mould allergies are particularly prevalent in autumn. Mould uses spores to multiply. These spores can easily stick to your pet’s skin or find their way into your pet’s respiratory system.

Common symptoms of mould allergies

• Chewing and licking (especially of the paws)

• Itching/excessive scratching

• Red/dry/scaly skin

• Ear infections

• Nasal discharge

• Coughing/sneezing/wheezing

• Rapid breathing

How to defend against mould allergies

Your best bet is to keep mould spores from clinging to your furry friend’s coat or skin. You can accomplish this by wiping your pet with a damp cloth after they’ve been outside, or even giving them a bath. Also try to keep them away from any damp or humid areas of your home where mould can grow, like your basement or garage.

#4 Seasonal flea allergies in fall

While your pet can catch fleas any time of year in the mild weather of the UK, they tend to be out in force more from roughly July through October.

These pesky parasites can cause several different health conditions. One of them is flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), a severe allergic reaction to a flea’s saliva. FAD can cause serious skin problems.

Common symptoms of flea allergies

• Relentless itching/clawing/biting

• Rash

• Bleeding/irritated areas on the body

• Hair loss

• Small pink/red bumps

How to defend against flea allergies

First of all, you should use flea prevention medication year-round. Even though fleas are more prevalent in certain months, they can live and reproduce indoors all year and are very hard to get rid of once they have a hold. Both topical and oral preventative flea meds are available without a prescription.

Since fleas often thrive inside, some enthusiastic indoor cleaning can go a long way. Wash your pet’s bedding (and yours!) with warm water and detergent. Vacuum your rugs, carpets, and furniture with gusto and regularity. And when you empty the contents of your vacuum cleaner, make sure to do it outside.If you want to get really aggressive, you can even use a safe flea spray on rugs, carpets and furniture (such as Indorex made by Virbac).

Can my veterinarian test for environmental allergies?

They sure can. There are two types of allergy tests that vets com use for dogs and cats:

• The RAST test (short for “radioallergosorbent”) is a simple blood test that your vet will use to determine which antigens your dog is allergic to. RAST tests are moderately accurate, but they have been known to result in false positives from time to time. While these can be beneficial for some pet parents due to lower cost and ability to be performed by your regular vet, it’s important to remember that this is not the most accurate way to determine a pet’s allergy triggers.

• Intradermal skin testing is widely considered the gold standard in veterinary allergy testing. Performed under sedation, this procedure involves the subcutaneous injections of dozens of different allergens into your pet’s skin. While an intradermal skin test is more accurate and comprehensive than an RAST test, it's generally only performed by a veterinary dermatology specialist.

How to treat your pet's fall allergies

If prevention and precaution haven’t proven effective, it’s time to take more active measures. A number of different treatments can help alleviate or cure your pet’s allergy symptoms.

• Baths/Shampoos: Bathing your pet with cool or lukewarm water can do a great deal to relieve skin-related allergy symptoms. (Just remember that hot water can actually exacerbate symptoms.) Make sure to use a hypoallergenic or soothing shampoo that’s made specifically for pets. Shampoos containing oatmeal and/or aloe can be especially effective at relieving itching and inflammation.

• Use an anti-itch spray. The ones that help the most are ones prescribed by a vet that feature an anti-inflammatory. 

• Wipe their coat and paws. Wiping your pet down with a damp towel or a grooming wipe will help remove allergens, especially right after they’ve been outside.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements: Fish oil supplements have been known to relieve — and even help prevent — inflamed and itchy skin. They have anti-inflammatory properties which can not also benefit skin, but also joint health.

• Ask your vet about antihistamines: You should always, always, always consult your veterinarian before giving your pet allergy pills. Some human antihistamines are not safe for pets, and of the ones that can be safely used, their dose/frequency of administration will differ from humans. That’s why it’s essential to check with your vet on what’s best for your pet.

Then there are the big guns:

• Prescription allergy meds: Veterinarians can prescribe meds like Apoquel, Cyclosporine, and other heavy-duty allergy fighters. Corticosteroids (aka steroids) are sometimes used to treat particularly acute skin symptoms, like severe itching related to flea allergy dermatitis. More recently, monthly immune targeting injections like the drug Cytopoint have been developed to help with symptoms of atopy.

• Immunotherapy: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT), also called “hyposensitization," involves a series of allergy shots (or oral drops) that gradually expose your pet to greater amounts of allergens over time, bolstering their immune system over time. This process has proven extremely effective, but it can take a long time to see results — and it’s costly.

When it comes to your pet’s allergies, you’ve got plenty of treatment and preventative care options available. Comprehensive pet insurance can help you pay for many of them.