Dogs can have allergies in any season, but dog allergies in winter can present like other conditions, such as the flu. That’s why it’s important to know as a dog owner whether your dog is suffering from seasonal allergies in the winter months or something much more serious.
How Common Are Dog Allergies in Winter?
While most people believe that seasonal allergies are for the spring and summer, dog allergies in winter are just as common.
Knowing the unique allergy symptoms for the winter months can help you identify what is causing them so you can provide some relief to your dog.
Symptoms of Dog Allergies in Winter
The symptoms of dog allergies in winter are similar to those in the spring and summer. The symptoms are caused by many different types of allergens and what your dog is allergic to. The most common dog allergies symptoms are:
- Coughing
- Runny Nose
- Watery Eyes
- Itchy Skin
- Dry Skin
- Sneezing
Due to the dry, cold weather, many of the symptoms have to do with a dog’s skin. With dry air and much less circulation indoors, allergies are much more common for some dogs.
What Causes Winter Dog Allergies
Winter allergies can be caused by allergens inside and outside of the home. Below you will learn about allergy triggers in both environments.
Outdoor Allergies
The cold air outside is enough to make most people and animals suffer from dry skin. For dogs with sensitive skin, it can be quite painful. The winter air can cause a dog’s skin to itch, which then leads to scratching, which then leads to wounds on the skin.
Indoor Allergies
Since dogs spend more time indoors during the winter season, it makes sense that a lot of the allergies they suffer from have to do with allergens inside the house.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in dust inside the home. People and animals who are not allergic to dust mites don’t even know they exist. Those allergic to dust mites will definitely know because it can cause sneezing and a runny nose.
Pet Dander
While many people are allergic to pet dander, many dogs are too. Unfortunately, since it’s on their own body, it can be difficult to get away from it.
Pet dander can increase in the winter because of the dry air leading to dry skin. The dry skin leads to itchy skin that becomes irritated to the point of wounds for some dogs. It’s especially severe when a dog suffers from dry skin during the spring and summer months.
Mold Spores
Another common indoor allergy is mold spores. These spores are invisible and float through the air. They come from mold, which occurs when surfaces are wet or damp.
Mold spores are common in homes that have suffered a water leak or flood.
Food Allergies
If you’re feeding a fresh raw dog food diet and make changes to it during the winter, your dog may suffer from an allergic reaction to it. So, while food allergies can happen at any time, the winter may spark some dog owners to offer more comfort food that may not be an allergy trigger for their pup.
Learn More: BEST Food for Pitbulls with Skin Allergies
How to Treat Dog Allergies in Winter
Winter allergies aren’t fun. Indoor allergies aren’t fun either. Cold weather can’t be stopped, so all we can do is prevent allergic reactions to it. The following tips can help you treat and avoid winter dog allergies.
Moisturizing Shampoo
Shampoo with extra moisturizer can greatly help with dry skin. It can also help with animal dander since it increases skin dryness in the winter season.
The above shampoo is great for conditioning a dog’s coat. It contains both shampoo and conditioner to moisturize a dog’s dry skin.
Learn more about it on Dog.com.
Itchy Skin Shampoo
While moisturizing shampoo can relieve itchy skin, there are shampoos that specifically relieve itching.
The itch relief shampoo by Fresh n’ Clean can greatly help your dog’s itchy skin. Along with the conditioning shampoo, you could see a marked improvement in your dog’s allergy symptoms. See it on Dog.com.
CBD Shampoo
Shampoo with CBD for dogs in it can help relieve irritation on a dog’s skin. It also decreases redness and reduces inflammation.
HolistaPet is a leading brand in dog CBD and they have created a shampoo with CBD in it. Click here to check it out.
Air Purifier and/or Humidifiar
Use an air purifier for indoor air to help with dry skin and dander. This can greatly help any dog with a skin allergy.
The above air purifier is specially designed for pet allergies in the home by reducing dust and dander. You can learn more about it on Amazon.
Allergy Testing
If you’re not sure what it is that is causing your dog’s allergies in the winter season, consider speaking to your veterinarian about allergy testing. You can also purchase an allergy testing kit on Amazon. Identifying what is causing the winter allergy symptoms can help you figure out what it is that will prevent them.
Aquaphor on Dogs
Aquaphor is a safe and effective topical ointment that can be used on dogs. You can read more about using Aquaphor on dogs here: Can You Use Aquaphor on Dogs?
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is great for dogs with itchy dry skin and those with irritated skin due to allergies. Learn more about grapeseed oil benefits for dogs.
Regular Grooming
Regularly grooming your pup will help your dog’s dry skin. Just be sure to use warm or cool water vs. hot water, as that can dry out the skin even more.
Medication
If your pup is suffering and you’re not able to treat the winter allergy symptoms easily, it may be time for medications. If you don’t want to take your pup to the veterinarian’s office, you can always use an online vet for prescription medication.
Switch to a Fresh Raw Food Diet
Dogs with food allergies may do better on a healthier diet – fresh raw dog food. Providing this type of diet to your dog can also boost the immune system, which can then help prevent many types of allergies, such as skin allergies, throughout the year.
[saswp_tiny_multiple_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”Can Dogs Have Allergies in Winter?” answer-0=”It is possible for dogs to have allergies in the winter. The most common dog allergy in winter is itchy, dry skin due to the dry, cold air. Other types of allergies dogs can have in winter including dander, mold and food. ” image-0=”” count=”1″ html=”true”]What to Do About Dog Allergies in Winter
The first step in helping your pup is identifying what is causing the allergic reaction. The second step is to avoid the allergen. If it can’t be avoided, treating the allergy symptoms is the logical next option.
Of course, if you’re not sure what is causing your dog’s allergies in winter, consult with your vet. Allergy testing can help identify what may cause the allergy symptoms so you can start working on a treatment.
Other Common Questions and Answers about Winter Dog Allergies
[saswp_tiny_multiple_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”What helps dogs with winter allergies?” answer-0=”You can lessen the burden of dog winter allergies by speaking to your vet about the following treatments. 1. Steroids 2. Cortisone Creams 3. Antibiotics 4. Cough Medication Using a humidifier in your home and regularly grooming your pup can also help decrease the symptoms of winter allergies in dogs. ” image-0=”” count=”1″ html=”true”] [saswp_tiny_multiple_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”What would my dog be allergic to in the winter?” answer-0=”Winter dog allergies are caused by allergens in the air, such as pollen, mold or dust. This causes itchy, dry skin that becomes easily irritated. Infections can occur due to scratching the affected areas.” image-0=”” count=”1″ html=”true”] [saswp_tiny_multiple_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”Why is my dog itching so much in the winter?” answer-0=”When the temperature drops outside, inside heating systems increase. This causes dry air in the home, which can cause your dog to have dry, flaky skin. It’s essential to keep your dog’s skin moisturized to reduce the effects of dog winter allergies.” image-0=”” count=”1″ html=”true”]
