In case you missed it, back in the fall we posted a blog about seasonal allergies in dogs. It’s a good read and a great source of information for those times of year when allergens are in the air. Both spring and fall can cause issues for your pets, and dogs tend to be more susceptible to seasonal allergies than cats. Since spring is here, we thought it was a good time to revisit seasonal allergies in pets, and also include horses in the mix.
Just like with humans, when the seasons change, so do particles in the air, and things like dust, mold, mites, and more can all contribute to allergies in our pets (horses, cats, and dogs), the way they do for us. If you notice your pet acting strange, it may be a good time to schedule a checkup.
Most spring allergies in pets are seasonal and can be treated with medicines that will help alleviate the symptoms. Bear in mind that dogs, cats, and horses all are very different creatures, so it’s never safe to administer human medicine to your pet without the direct advice of a veterinarian. Some common things like aspirin which are okay to give to dogs in moderate doses (talk to your vet first, always!) can be fatal to cats. Some canine medicine is effective in horses, but at a much lower rather than higher dose due to how the equine system metabolizes different medicines. Point is – if your pet is experiencing seasonal allergy issues, it’s always a good idea to talk to your vet first and develop a plan of treatment and action that is safe for your pet.
Sniff…sniff…sniff…sneeze!
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Did you know?
Here is some funny trivia on pets and allergies for you to enjoy!
Horses can be allergic to dust, mold, mites, and even hay, just like people!
Dogs display seasonal allergies through itchy skin and ears as well as through people symptoms like coughing and sneezing.
Horses can also be allergic to cats. (Really! We recently had a horse test positive to cats and had to move his stall in the barn to relocate him away from the barn cat and his symptoms started to subside!)
Cats can also have symptoms on their skin or in their ears the way dogs do, but they also can get the typical runny noes and watery eyes from seasonal allergies. Just be sure to schedule a trip to your vet to rule out other more serious conditions such as feline herpesvirus or other immune disorders and diseases.
Both dogs and cats can suffer from flea allergies that make the flea bites even more irritating than normal. Ouch!
It’s not just humans that have pet allergies! Allergic to people? It’s rare though possible – in dogs. They can also be allergic to cats as well. Although cats are rarely allergic to dogs or people.
And of course, if you pet or horse starts displaying symptoms or signs that something isn’t quite right, it’s always best to ask your vet before jumping to conclusions!
