Allergy season… Most of us think about itchy eyes, sneezing, and pollen counts. But did you know our pets can get seasonal allergies, too?
At our clinic, we see dogs with all kinds of allergy patterns. Some flare up only in the spring, while others have symptoms in both spring and fall. Some dogs seem to have issues during the summer, and a few appear to have allergies year-round. And while these allergies are often triggered by things in the environment, they are rarely just about what’s floating around outside.
Even when allergies are seasonal or environmental, we still start by addressing diet. Inflammatory conditions often behave like a threshold issue. We cannot control the weather or what pollen and spores are floating around outside, but we can control what goes into a dog’s bowl every day, and that can influence how strongly the body reacts.
Research suggests that managing food sensitivities can help reduce symptoms in allergic conditions. One study showed that cats with asthma (presumably allergic-related airway inflammation) experienced fewer symptoms when their food sensitivities were addressed. The body works as a whole system.
So, when we support pets with allergies, we often begin by reducing overall inflammation through nutrition. That typically means reducing starch and highly processed foods while increasing beneficial fats and whole-food nutrients.
Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly helpful, so we often recommend sources like fish, fish oil, krill oil, or algae-based omegas. We also like to add antioxidants from greens and colorful vegetables. Root vegetables and fruits can also be useful because they contain lots of antioxidants, but we use them in limited amounts for dogs and cats, as they can have an inflammatory response to too much sugar and starch.
Culinary herbs such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, basil, and cilantro can be helpful due to their high antioxidant capacity (ORAC value). We also consider foods that support balanced immune function, such as cooked culinary mushrooms and probiotic foods like yogurt or kefir. These can be made from goat’s milk, cow’s milk, or even non-dairy options like cashew milk.
As always, we make sure to avoid foods that are toxic to pets. Grapes, raisins, and onions should never be given. Garlic can occasionally be used in very small amounts for dogs, but I avoid it entirely for cats.
Another factor worth considering is processed pet food. Kibble can contain relatively high levels of pesticide residues, preservatives, and other additives, which can contribute to overall inflammation. Dogs often tolerate these exposures surprisingly well, but they may still influence inflammatory conditions.
If dietary changes aren’t enough on their own, we have other tools we can add. Depending on the pet, that might include Western or Chinese herbs, nutritional supplements, over-the-counter antihistamines, or prescription medications and injections. Our goal is always to support the body while minimizing the need for immune-suppressive medications whenever possible. In more persistent cases, we sometimes refer dogs to a veterinary dermatologist for allergy testing and desensitization injections. These can be very effective for pets with strong seasonal allergies.
That said, one thing we see again and again is how much improvement can happen just by changing the diet. Many dogs with chronic seasonal allergies improve significantly when they transition from kibble to a balanced, carnivore-appropriate diet that includes fresh raw or gently cooked foods. Helping guide pet owners through that process is a big part of what we do.
Often, it comes back to food. If the body is like a machine, nutrition is the fuel and the information that tells it how to function. When that fuel is clean and appropriate, the system can do its best work.
Sometimes I tell clients to think of allergy symptoms as an external signal of internal inflammation. In a strange way, they can actually be helpful. The body is letting us know that something isn’t quite right, which gives us the opportunity to adjust and see real-time feedback on whether we’re moving in the right direction.
