Does your dog have seasonal allergies? While many people prefer natural seasonal allergy support, remedies don’t always work.
What generally happens with dogs who have seasonal allergies is that you will notice him scratching a little that first or second summer or fall as a youngster. An original annoyance may turn into a full-blown allergy emergency, complete with a stinky, yeasty dog. What if there were natural ways to support seasonal dog allergies? You’re in luck!
Simple meal additions like coconut oil, quercetin, Omega fatty acids, local bee pollen, nettles, and some mushroom complexes can do a world of good for your dog’s seasonal allergies. Additionally, feeding your dog a fresh, species appropriate diet will support and balance his immune system. Finally, small changes around the house like wiping your dog off after outdoor time, a paw wash, a simple baking soda spray, or dedicated indoor shoes for the humans can offer relief to your Best Friend.
Franklin’s Seasonal Allergies; His Undoing
My lab, Franklin made it to about 3 years old before his allergies became problematic. He was a lab, a water dog. He’d play in the lake until his little doggie heart was full, then he’d run about with wet fur and air dry. This was a big no-no. I first noticed an oozy sore on the side of his face when he was about 4 years old. Off to the vet!
We came home with a dog in a cone, some overpriced vet allergy medication, and a $300 bill. Two weeks later it happened again on his back. We weren’t going to pony up hundreds of dollars every time this happened, so I shaved Frank’s back myself, put vet-approved ointment on it, and found some Benadryl. That seemed to do the trick, so we kept him on the Benadryl for the remainder of the season. He still suffered from some smaller hot spots and flare-ups, and he still STUNK, but he didn’t need to go to the vet every time he got a hot spot.
Thus, a seasonal ritual developed. Frank started to itch when the oak pollen came out in May, and proceeded through the gamut of allergy symptoms until the first frost in October. By August each year, he’d have all of the hair rubbed off his face and around his eyes. It was a pathetic sight. We upgraded his allergy meds to Zyrtec. Kind of pricey, but I figured since it was for humans, it must be pretty good.

and around his eyes during allergy season. They were worst from August-October.
Food Sensitivities in Dogs: Symptoms Mimic Seasonal Allergies
The problem with dog allergies is twofold. First, many dogs show allergy symptoms and itching when they have a sensitivity to their food. When this happens, the dog might itch from eating certain starches or proteins in their food. When a dog has a food sensitivity, this may very well mean they are not getting the necessary nutrients from their food. Common places where a dog with food allergies will itch is on their paws and ears.
When a dog is getting necessary vital nutrients, it builds up their immune system and overall health. When a dog is suffering from inflammation and allergies, the immune system is not working in balance. Sadly, this can let other disorders flare up. When this happens, a dog cannot build up his health and fight off environmental toxins or abnormal cells (ie abnormal cells often are cancer-causing cells).
Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Another type of allergies, and what led to poor Franklin’s demise, are environmental or seasonal allergies. Like food allergies, dogs may itch their paws and ears, and even around their stomachs, groin, face, and eyes. When a dog itches these allergies, it can open up their skin and introduce other infections.
Often, dogs with seasonal allergies have reactions for longer and longer periods, especially in areas where there is not a hard freeze in the winter. Many allergy medications for people contain a decongestant, which a dog MOST DEFINITELY does not need! Decongestants can cause your dog’s heart rate to increase and have harmful effects on their bodies.
An allergy medication for dogs that I read about, and raises red flags is called Apoquel. I don’t know enough about it to criticize, and I am certain it has probably helped many. An article published in Dogs Naturally Magazine in May, 2020; Apoquel affects the signaling compounds the cells use to communicate with each other. Instead of finding the root cause of the immune response, this drug suppresses the symptoms. A small percentage (6%) of dogs in the study had abnormal health issues after only 30 days. If your vet has recommended this drug, please do your research.
Since allergies are an immune response, allergy medications blunt out the immune system and weaken it over time. Franklin’s cancer developed towards the middle of seasonal allergy time. He’d been on the Zyrtec since April; 4 months prior. There were other things we were doing that helped Franklin far more than the allergy meds.
Support Your Pet’s Immune System First
Allergies are an immune response, so it is important to keep your pet’s immune system strong. You can do this by feeding a variety of healthy, pet safe foods. Also, avoid unnecessary drugs (like the allergy drugs we’d become so dependent on) and vaccinations during allergy flare-ups. Please be aware, I am not recommending that you avoid vaccines altogether. Vaccines promote a response from the immune system. Your pet’s immune system is already overloaded fighting off allergens, so he doesn’t need additional strain on his immune system.
Check out an anti-inflammatory diet. Foods that are high in carbs promote more inflammation and may worsen allergy symptoms. Your dog’s diet should be very low in grains. Often, grains promote itchiness and inflammation in dogs with sensitivities.
Simple Ways to Support Your Dog’s Seasonal Allergies
These are some work, but most certainly worth it if you can offer your dog relief during allergy season.
- Wipe downs whenever returning from outside: keep a damp rag near the door the dog comes in from. Replace each day with a clean, fresh rag. Use this to wipe your dog’s face, paws and abdomen every time he/she comes inside. Dogs like to sniff and get their faces into whatever they are sniffing. Yes, even if it’s ragweed or some other allergen that they’re sensitive to!
- Foot soaks: keep a tub of water near the door where your dog comes in. Dip each food in the tub and dry feet off. This keeps allergens out of your home and off your pet’s feet. Plus, when your pet itches him or herself, they’re not spreading the allergens back onto their skin.
- Don’t wear your own shoes in the house. If you like to wear shoes in the house, consider wearing indoor shoes that you only wear in the house. This will keep allergens out of your home.
- Baking Soda Treatment Paste: Remember mom putting baking soda on your bee stings as a child? Baking soda calms itchy, red, inflammed skin. Combine 1TBSP baking soda with water. Place on itchy, reddened areas like paws or your dog’s stomach. Leave for a few hours and rinse off. Sure, it might make a mess, but it will vacuum right up and freshen your carpet!
- Baking Soda Treatment Spray: Instead of the paste, you can combine 1 TBSP of baking soda with water in an 8oz spray bottle. Spray on affected areas for relief. Make sure to shake well before using.
- Vacuum frequently and clean things with non-toxic cleaning solutions. Vinegar and water works well, and my personal favorite, a mixture of 10-20% alcohol (I use inexpensive vodka) and water will kill germs and keep your house clean without exposing your pets to harsh chemicals. (Just don’t go overboard with the Vodka, as alcohol is not good for your pets).
Natural Support for Your Dog’s Seasonal Allergies
Coconut Oil: A teaspoon-tablespoon of coconut oil in your dog’s food helps decrease yeast production in your dog’s skin. It contains lauric acid, which helps cut down yeast production. Often, dogs with skin allergies will have a “yeasty” smell.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids: These help decrease inflammation in the body. Adding them to your pet’s food is beneficial, even in pets without allergies! High quality Krill Oil, Salmon oil, Tuna oil, anchovy oil and other fish oils are good sources of omega 3s. Sardines in your pet’s dish also contain omega 3s, and will make your dog oh-so-happy!
Quercetin: A bioflavonoid that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. I found this fantastic supplement; Mercola Seasonal Support for Cats and Dogs with Quercetin and started giving it to my current lab mix for spring allergies. He was like a new dog! And no harsh pharmaceuticals! Additionally, I just started giving big Oliver a quercetin supplement from the health food store. While he’s not 100% yet, the itching has waned.
Quercetin is most effective when given on an empty stomach. The recommended dose is 8mg for every pound of body weight. Therefore, for a 20 pound dog, give 160mg; for a 50 pound dog, give 200mg.

Local Bee Pollen: Bee pollen is pretty great stuff! You’ve seen a honeybee with the yellow “sacks” on their back legs? That’s the bee pollen he’s collected on his rounds in the neighborhood. It’s believed to be a legit superfood that improves resistance to disease, enhances endurance, and even protects from cancers.
By adding a small amount of bee pollen to your dog’s food, it desensetizes them to problematic allergy-causing pollens. It’s important to use LOCAL bee pollen, so online ordering is a no-no. If your dog has seasonal allergies, you want to desensitize him to local pollens, not pollen from somewhere else.
Additionally, you should start with very low doses. Since the dog is allergic to local pollens, there is a chance that he has a reaction to them. Much like allergy shots and meds, this should be taken under the direction of your holistic vet.
Mushroom Complexes: Mushrooms are not only cancer fighters, they help with allergies too! A compound in mushrooms called beta-glucan is in the cell wall of certain substances. This beta glucan can change the immune response in allergies by binding to certain immune cells. This changes their response and helps with inflammation and allergic reactions.
While scientists are still studying the many ways mushrooms and mushroom complexes can help us and our Best Friends, a quality canine-specific mushroom complex is likely worth trying for many other reasons, not just the allergy support. When shopping for your dog, make sure the mushroom complex has a certification of at least 30% beta-glucan.
Nettles: Nettles are an herb with histamines. Like bee pollen, this activates an immune response as it stimulates the body to protect itself from allergens. If you know what nettles look like, you can forage them yourself. (Make sure to wear gloves, as they do sting!) Additionally, they can be used to make nettle tea or lightly sauteed in coconut oil and added to your dog’s food.
You CAN Support Your Dog’s Seasonal Allergies Naturally
While it can be extra frustrating narrowing down what’s making your dog itchy and stinky, it is worth exploring natural relief for seasonal allergies. Natural remedies generally don’t have nasty side effects, are less costly, and help to balance the immune system rather than suppressing it to the point other problems arise.
Begin by choosing 2-3 remedies to try out. Who knows, you may just find the magic elixir your dog needs to get through allergy season without the harmful side effects of traditional medications.
As always, this blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or professional veterinarian advice. Please consult your veterinarian when trying new remedies or foods.
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