Can dogs suffer from hay fever?

How to prevent hay fever symptoms in dogs?

By making small changes to your daily habits, you can already reduce the symptoms. Fortunately, it doesn't take much; it's more a matter of getting used to it.


Where do you go for walks?
Are you lucky enough to live near the beach? Then especially take your four-legged friend to the beach instead of a green area. This reduces the chance of pollen presence.

Time when you walk the dog
By walking your dog early in the morning or late in the evening, you reduce the chance of hay fever symptoms.

Rinse off the pollen
Have you just had a solid forest walk? Then don't forget to rinse your dog's coat. This largely removes the pollen from their coat.

Get cleaning
We sometimes forget to clean the bed, cushion, or blanket(s) of our beloved four-legged friend. However, it is important to do this regularly, especially if there is a pollen allergy.
Have you washed your dog's cushion or blanket? Then make sure to dry it indoors.

Other ways to prevent hay fever symptoms are listed below:

• Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible
• Vacuum regularly (don't forget to include your carpet and curtains)
• Keep your lawn short
• Do not bring fresh flowers into the house
  
  

Can hay fever in dogs be treated?

A pollen allergy can never be fully treated. However, you can reduce symptoms by using medication, for example. Antihistamines are often used to counter hay fever symptoms. However, this medication appears to be less effective for dogs. It can even happen that antihistamines for humans are toxic to dogs. Therefore, always seek proper advice from the veterinarian. Also, do not give your dog any medication that has not been prescribed by your vet.

Besides medication, you can reduce symptoms with ear and eye drops and special shampoos aimed at limiting itching.

Can diet help dogs with hay fever?

Hay fever is an atopy (environmental allergy), where the allergic reaction comes from outside. Therefore, hay fever (and other environmental allergies) unfortunately cannot be resolved with special food.

As described earlier, hay fever can cause severe skin problems. By feeding a diet based on (fatty) fish, you can support a dog's skin and coat. Dog food with fish contains a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which protect your four-legged friend's skin and coat.

Riverwood Adult Salmon and Whitefish with Herring contains an extra high level of omega-3 fatty acids. An alternative is to supplement the current food with an omega-3 supplement. Riverwood Norwegian Salmon Oil is a supplement based on pure salmon oil that contributes to healthy skin and coat.

Many dogs already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you also like your dog to savor our delicious foods and are you curious which variant would suit your dog best? Answer here a few questions and order a budget-friendly trial pack right away.