Just like us, pets can feel miserable during allergy season. But unlike humans, they don’t usually sneeze and sniffle. Instead, hay fever in pets shows up in itchy skin, red eyes, and weird behavior. If your dog is rubbing their face on the carpet or your cat is grooming like it is a job, pollen could be the culprit.
Pets with hay fever often scratch like mad. Dogs chew at their paws, rub their face on furniture, or drag themselves across the carpet. Cats may overgroom to the point of bald patches. The constant itch comes from inflamed skin, which reacts to pollen landing on their coat or being inhaled.
One of the first things you will notice is skin that looks dry, sore, or greasy. Some pets lose fur from all the scratching, while others develop red spots in common areas like the armpits, groin, or belly. Dogs especially tend to get hot, irritated patches between their toes.
This skin reaction comes from the immune system freaking out over harmless pollen. It treats it like a threat and sends inflammatory signals to the skin. Regular grooming helps, but for nasty flare-ups, you will likely need a vet’s help to calm things down.
Not all pets sneeze when pollen hits, but some do. Cats are more likely than dogs to show these signs. You might spot watery eyes or clear discharge from the nose. On high pollen days, your dog may seem sniffly too.
These signs can be easy to miss or confused with a cold. But if they pop up every spring or fall, hay fever could be to blame. Keep an eye on patterns. If it lines up with your own allergies, that is a hint that your pet is reacting too.
Face rubbing is a common and weird-looking behavior. Some dogs drag their muzzles across rugs or jam their faces into couch cushions. It is their way of dealing with itching around the eyes, ears, or mouth.
Cats often scratch behind their ears or swipe at their eyes. If this continues, it can break the skin or lead to infection. Try wiping your pet’s face after outdoor walks. It helps remove pollen and may stop the itching from getting worse.
What Should You Do?
Engin / Unsplash / Pets with hay fever sometimes slow down when pollen is high. They might skip playtime or nap more than usual.
Pay attention to changes in energy, especially if your pet seems fine once the weather shifts. If it is sluggish only when pollen counts are up, hay fever could be wearing it down.
You might notice brown stains on light-colored fur from all the licking. Washing paws with plain water after walks is a simple way to cut down pollen exposure and bring your pet some relief.
Pollen clings to fur. After a walk, wipe down your pet’s coat with a damp cloth or pet-safe wipes. This simple step keeps allergens from building up indoors and rubbing into their skin later.
Pets with allergies need strong skin to block pollen. Some vets suggest skin-boosting supplements like omega-3 oils. These can improve the skin’s barrier over time and reduce flare-ups.
Don’t self-prescribe. Contact your vet if symptoms persist.