ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Spring brings the unwelcome allergy season to not just us but to our dogs.

“We see an uptick when spring starts. And then sometimes they transition into summer allergies and then fall ones. Some dogs are lucky and they may only be itchy one part of the year,” said Dr. Meggan Bayer with the Veterinary Group of Chesterfield. “Other dogs are going to be itchy that whole time, and then we have to pull out like the big guns to medicate them.”

Bayer said that allergies can impact a pet’s quality of life and there are signs they may be feeling the seasonal reaction. Dog breeds with short hair coats tend to be more susceptible.

“It’s usually going to be that they’re really itchy, so they’re going to be biting on their legs or their side, or they’re scratching a lot. They might be shaking their head because their ears itch. So usually that’s what we hear,” she said.

Thankfully, treatment options have come a long way over the years. 

In addition to therapeutic dog foods and antihistamines, there are now two major medications vets can use, allowing them to avoid steroids.

“Called Apoquel and Cytopoint that have been a game changer for pets with allergies. They’re very effective at controlling the itch and have made a lot of dogs’ lives more comfortable,” Bayer said.

These medications help to break the vicious itchy cycle.

“They really stop the itch at the beginning of the cycle so that they don’t get secondary infections and then they stay comfortable, and they don’t have to visit us five times a year,” Bayer said.