All featured merchandise are opt at the discretion of the GreatPetCare editorial squad and do not reflect a lineal endorsement by the author or referee .
Picture this : It ’s a beautiful day . The sun is shining . Your dog is frolicking in the supergrass . But then you detect your puppy is scratching more than they ’re playing , and they ’re covered in reddened , fretful spot . Suddenly , you bump yourself worry , “ Can dogs be supersensitized to grass ? ”
alas , the response is yes . Just like homo , dogs can educate allergies to elements in the environment , and that include grass .
What does that intend for your itchy frump ? Get quick to find out . Here ’s what you need to eff about weed allergies in dogs , include causes , symptom to look out for , and how to manage and handle this experimental condition to ease your ducky ’s antsy skin .
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Grass?
Yes , not only can dogs be allergic to grass , but forage allergy are also among the most common environmental allergies in dogs . Dogs that get itchy and inflamed pelt due to environmental allergens ( admit grass pollens , cast , and detritus mites ) have a condition called atopic dermatitis . Also do it as immediate allergy , this condition affects or so 10 to 15 percent of all dog ( 1 ) .
A smaller part of dog with pasturage allergy have contact dermatitis . This means that contact with the grass itself , not just the forage pollen in the zephyr , actuate the sensitized chemical reaction ( 2 ) .
The likeliness of dogs modernise grass allergic reaction can vary significantly depending on broker like your realm and the time of year . That ’s because grass pollen level incline to be higher in warmer clime and at certain time of the year , such as leaping and summer .
While grass allergies are not living - threatening , they can significantly impact your hound ’s timbre of life . If not contend right , canine grass allergies can cause meaning discomfort , manifest as skin soreness , itching , and inflammation .
What Causes Grass Allergies in Dogs?
Dogs with grass allergies typically have an abnormal resistant response and a defective skin barrier . Normally , the skin act like a shell , blocking corpuscle outside a dog ’s body from entering deep skin layers . When an allergen like grass pollen makes its means inside an sensitized dog ’s skin , their resistant system mistake the harmless pollen for something unsafe . This misidentification touch off an supersensitised response , which causes the skin to become heat and antsy .
Certain types of grass , such as Bermuda , Timothy , Kentucky bluegrass , Orchard , and ryegrass , are most probable to make allergic reactions in dogs ( 3 ) .
Although any dog can develop a grass allergy , some hound breed are genetically predispose to developing atopic dermatitis and grass allergic reaction . These breeds include Golden Retrievers , Labradors , French Bulldogs , Boxers , German Shepherds , West Highland White Terriers , Poodles , Dachshunds , and Cocker Spaniels ( 1 ) .
Dog Grass Allergy Symptoms
If your frump is supersensitive to grass , they may have symptom that appear seasonally when pollen count are gamey . However , click with environmental allergies are often sensitised to more than just grass ( dust soupcon , for example ) . So symptom can be year - round and pass at heart and outdoors .
Symptoms of a smoke allergy include :
identify grass allergies can be challenging due to their non - specific symptoms , which can mime other allergies . However , dogs with symptoms that appear seasonally are more potential to have a grass allergic reaction , as opposed to a food allergy , for lesson .
Diagnosing a Dog Allergic to Grass
Veterinarians name grass allergies primarily by find out other sort of allergic reaction and , finally , through allergic reaction testing .
Diagnosing grass allergies begins with a thorough examination by a veterinary surgeon . Your ex-serviceman will try your dog ’s cutis and take down the pattern and timing of symptoms . If your dog is not on a year - round flea preventive , your veterinarian will dictate a medication for this so that a flea allergic reaction can be excluded as a cause of your weenie ’s symptoms .
If your dog ’s symptoms are year - round , your veterinarian may recommend a food test with a novel protein or hydrolyse protein diet to rule out a intellectual nourishment allergy as the perpetrator .
Once atopic dermatitis is confirmed , skin or blood trial run to observe specific allergen can be execute to identify specific allergic reaction triggers , including different types of grasses .
Dog Grass Allergy Treatment
Grass allergy , like any other allergic reaction , can not be cured , but medication and other treatments can help eliminate or greatly deoxidise symptoms .
Some ordinarily used medication include :
Steroids
steroid used to be the only in force handling for severe allergy symptom in dogs . However , that ’s less common now due to their risk of serious side effect ( specially with long - terminal figure use ) and the availability of newer , more targeted treatments .
Cyclosporine
This medication is safer than steroid when used to treat chronic grass allergies in dogs . However , it may take week to ameliorate symptoms , so it may not be the best pick for dealing with flare - ups . It ’s usable in both generic and branded form , in abridgement or liquid medication . Common side effect include digestive confused , vomiting , diarrhoea , and personnel casualty of appetite .
Immunotherapy
Allergy shots or sublingual drop containing the specific allergens a dog is allergic to can help to desensitize the immune system to denounce allergic reaction over time . This incline to be effective in about 50 to 75 percent of dogs but can take up to 1 year to be efficient ( 1 ) .
Cytopoint (lokivetmab)
This is an injection containing antibodies that neutralise the compounds that trigger off itchy skin in dogs with grass allergies . One injection relieves symptoms of itch for 4 to 8 weeks , but the shots can be reasonably pricy .
Apoquel (oclacitinib)
Apoquel has proven to be a game - modifier for treating grass allergic reaction in dog . It targets the specific immune factors need in the allergic chemical reaction , propose speedy relief from itching and fervor without the potential for long - term side gist associated with steroids .
It is much more effective than antihistamines , as histamine only play a small role in dog allergy symptoms . Apoquel can start relieving allergic reaction symptoms in as few as 2 hours , and it can be stopped and started as needed to relieve allergy symptom .
study support that prospicient - condition use of Apoquel in dogs is dependable ( 5 ) . It be given to be well - tolerated by most dogs , but may do abdomen disconcert on rare occasions .
Dog Grass Allergies Home Remedies
If you ’re wonder whether human medicament , like Benadryl or Claritin , could facilitate cultivate your deary ’s weed allergy urge , the answer is : not probable . These vernacular over - the - counter solvent are antihistamines , which do n’t incline to be effective for allergic reaction in dogs . According to one study , they performed no better than a placebo pill ( 6 ) .
Also , remember it ’s never a good idea to give your dog human medicament without consulting your vet first . While some may be effective , it is very of import to first consult with your veterinarian regarding dosing and the specific medications that are good to use .
For modest grass allergic reaction symptom , a few home remedy can provide relief :
Soothing Baths
Washing your dog with hypoallergenic or medicated shampoo can console the skin and help murder allergens from the fur . Just think of that over - shampooing can irritate your dog ’s skin even further . So confine baths to once or twice a workweek , top . And utilise coolheaded water , as hot water can make irritated peel even itchier .
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These “ proficient fatness ” help build unsusceptibility , meliorate skin health , and fight inflammation — three important benefit that can advance your wiener ’s defence against grass allergies . Though these of the essence nutrients are happen course in nutrient like fish and flaxseeds , most commercial dog food for thought do n’t ply enough . So you may want to consider a dietetic supplement to ensure your dog get the full benefit omega-3 fatty acids have to offer .
Preventing Grass Allergy in Dogs
Preventing grass allergies involves minimize your heel ’s exposure to the allergen :
While grass allergy can be a challenge for dogs and their proprietor , understanding the symptom , diagnosing , and treatments available can lead to good direction of the condition .
If you lick closely with your veterinary surgeon , you may help insure your dog enjoys the great open without put up from pesky allergy symptom .
References:
