Dogs are the most common type of pet in the United States. Among the 84.9 million American households with pets, 63.4 million are dog owners. Since dogs are man’s best friend, it’s clear to see why the statistic is what it is. You can even find people with pet allergies who want dogs as pets. Like them, some dogs can have allergies, but these aren’t allergies to humans. Are you worried that your dog has allergies? Learn more about your dog’s seasonal allergies below.
Can Dogs Have Seasonal Allergies?
The shortest answer to the question is yes. If you’re a new dog owner, you may get surprised by this fact. The same applies if you haven’t had much interaction with dogs before and are new to pet care. Like people, dogs can develop allergies. These dog allergies can be seasonal, often caused by environmental factors. We’ll discuss these causes in more depth below.
How Common Are Allergies in Dogs?
No matter what the breed or background, allergies are quite common in dogs. If your dog has allergies, you can find symptoms of it appearing at six months old. Most dogs get affected by allergies by the age of one or two years.
On whether dog allergies get inherited, there’s still no conclusive evidence. Some vets and scientists assume that an inherited type is an allergy to pollens and plants. For now, the experts are still studying if a dog can inherit allergies from its forbearer.
Causes of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Humans with environmental allergies can get triggered by a lot of different allergens. The same occurs in dogs with seasonal allergies. Allergens that trigger human allergies are also the triggers for dogs’ seasonal allergies.
The most common environmental allergens for dogs include:
