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Spring means there’s high pollen count in the air which causes some of our pet’s allergies to flare up. While many people think that pet allergies are just a minor annoyance, they can actually be quite serious if not treated properly. Allergies happen when the body overreacts by setting an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to a specific foreign but otherwise harmless substance that enters your pet's body either via inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. IgE is a highly specific antibody that targets only certain substances. In fact, it's so targeted that your dog may become allergic to one type of pollen but not to another.  

In this informative blog post, we'll discuss what causes pet allergies and provide some commonly shared tips on managing them. Keep reading to learn more! 

How to Tell if Your Dog is Having an Allergic Reaction 

While mild allergies often pose no long-term health conditions, severe and persistent allergies may develop into chronic issues for our pets, making it crucial to nip the problem in the bud. Unfortunately, detecting allergies in pets is not as straightforward as in humans.  

Allergies in pets don’t manifest allergies the same way humans do, making them more challenging to identify. This is made even more complicated because it's not only pollen we have to look out for; we must also consider dust mites, mold, and certain foods as possible causes. In addition, common fleas and parasites can also cause allergen-induced dermatitis. 

So, it's essential to pay attention to your dog’s behavior even more during this season. Here are a couple of the most obvious signs that your dog might be suffering from allergies: 

• Reddened skin  
• Excessively licking 
• Balding fur or hotspots 
• Foul-smelling ears
• Excessive head shaking 
• Sensitive skin dermatitis 

These symptoms indicate that your four-legged friend may be experiencing some allergen-induced discomfort. If you're up for it, you can visit your vet and request intradermal skin testing to determine what's causing the reaction. 

Common Practices in Managing Allergies 

Fortunately, there are steps that we can take to prevent our pets from having to experience allergies in the first place. The best part about it is that they're all relatively simple. 

Regular Bathing 

Any pet owner knows that a weekly bath is essential to keeping their furry friend clean and healthy. But did you know that bathing your pet can also help prevent allergies? Allergies are caused when the body overreacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen or dander. When these substances come into contact with the skin, they can cause irritation, redness, and itchiness. However, if the skin is clean and free of allergens, it is less likely to have a reaction. Therefore, bathing your pet regularly helps remove allergens from the coat and reduces the risk of an allergic reaction. In addition, regular bathing can also help remove dirt, bacteria, and other irritants that can worsen allergies.  

In addition, shampooing helps remove any irritants that may have already come into contact with the skin. For best results, bathe your pet once a week using mild shampoo. 

Frequent Paw Washing 

It's no secret that dogs and cats love to explore the great outdoors. From rolling in the grass to chasing after squirrels, there's no shortage of adventure for our furry friends. Unfortunately, however, all that time spent outside can also lead to allergies and other health problems. A simple walk to the dog park, for example, can expose your pets to countless allergens from the grass they walk on, the weeds they walk through, and even the trees that they walk under. 

One way to help keep your pet healthy is to regularly wash their paws. This simple act can remove pollen, dirt, and other allergens that can cause problems for your pet.  

In addition, paw washing can also help prevent infection by keeping cuts and scrapes clean. So, the next time your pet comes in from a romp in the park, be sure to give their paws a good wash. It's a simple way to help keep your furry friend healthy and happy. 

Boosting Immunity through Nutrition 

It’s important to acknowledge the role of nutrition in keeping our pets allergy-free.First and foremost, it's essential to make sure that your pet isn't allergic to the primary protein source of their food in the first place. To do this, you can either go through the lengthy process of elimination or through intradermal skin testing. This way, you can more mindfully choose which type of dog food you should buy for your pup. 

Secondly, dog vitamins that supplement your pet’s immune system are some of the most effective ways to fight off allergens in the long term. So, consider using pet supplements with IgE-regulating functions to help your dogs ride out pollen season.  

How Agaricus blazei Murrill Can Help Prevent Allergies this Pollen Season 

There is evidence that the Agaricus blazei Murril (AbM), otherwise known as the "mushroom of the gods," is an excellent IgE-modulating substance. In randomized placebo-controlled clinical studies done in 2010, a marked decline in IgE response in mouse models was observed by using this highly effective mushroom supplement. Furthermore, researchers also believe that its IgE-modulating property might also lead to the amelioration of basophil sensitization or food allergies in dogs. 

Wrapping Things Up: How to Prevent Allergies in Our Pets this Spring  

Spring brings with it not a warmer climate and freshly blossoming flowers. It also brings with it a lot of pollen in the air. For a lot of dogs, this means allergies. Luckily, with frequent paw washing, bathing, and of course, proper nutrition, we’ll be able to help them avoid the discomfort. 

For educational purposes. No product claims implied.