Our Veterinary Team Provides Expert Advice on What to Watch for and What You Can Do About It

Spring and summer are wonderful seasons for dogs, but for many, warmer weather also brings allergies. If your pup has been scratching more than usual, chewing at their paws, or shaking their head, allergies could be the culprit.

What Causes Allergies in Dogs?

The three most common types of allergies in dogs are environmental allergies (pollen, grass, dust mites, molds), flea allergies (an intense reaction to flea saliva, even from a single bite), and food allergies.

Symptoms can occur year-round but often peak in the spring and summer. While allergies can’t always be cured, they can usually be managed so your dog stays comfortable.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Allergies?

Allergic dogs don’t typically sneeze or get watery eyes the way people do. Instead, allergies usually show up in the skin. Keep an eye out for:

    • Frequent scratching, especially on the belly, armpits, or sides
    • Red or irritated skin
    • Rubbing the face on furniture or with their paws
    • Excessive paw licking or chewing
    • Reddish-brown staining of the fur on their paws
    • Hair loss or skin sores
    • Recurring skin or ear infections

Boston Veterinary Care (BVC) Pro Tip: Reddish-brown fur staining around the paws is a telltale sign of chronic licking and a classic sign of allergies that’s easy to miss.

Don’t Forget About Fleas

It only takes one flea bite to set off a reaction in a sensitive dog. Year-round flea prevention is the best defense, even if you never see fleas on your pet.

Allergies and Ear Infections

Recurring ear infections are often allergy related. Allergies cause inflammation in the ear canal, creating the perfect environment for yeast and bacteria to grow. Watch for head shaking, scratching at the ears, odors, or discharge.

Boston Veterinary Care (BVC) Pro Tip: Recurring ear infections are a red flag that something bigger may be going on. Don’t wait to check in with your vet!

What Can Be Done?

A full-service veterinarian can help by recommending year-round flea prevention, conducting a diet trial to rule out food allergies, and prescribing medications like Apoquel® or Cytopoint® to control itching. Diagnostic testing or a referral to a veterinary dermatologist may also be recommended. Long-term improvement depends on treating the root cause.

The Boston Veterinary Care Team is Here to Help

If your dog is dealing with ongoing allergy symptoms, recurring ear infections, or skin issues, Boston Veterinary Care (BVC), the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s full-service veterinary clinic, is here to help.

BVC provides comprehensive medical, surgical, and preventative care, including diagnostic testing and long-term allergy management. As a nonprofit clinic, 100% of proceeds support the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

Boston Veterinary Care: 10 Chandler St. Boston, MA l (617) 226-5605 | bvc@arlboston.org | bostonvetcare.com