"In this section, our vets share their expertise – specialists who have spent years working on healthy dog nutrition and allergies."
When a dog has a grass allergy
Spring! The sun is shining, temperatures are rising, and the air smells of earth, moss and fresh shoots. The first plants are coming into bloom. And then, from one day to the next, your dog starts scratching. He licks his paws raw, and you may notice that his skin looks red and irritated.
This behaviour can point to an allergy. Many dogs react to pollen from trees, shrubs, grasses or herbs. Pollen enters the dog's body through the skin or airways and triggers a misdirected overreaction of the immune system.
What happens during an allergy in dogs?
Proteins from the environment – such as pollen, house dust or ingredients in food – are actually harmless to your dog's body. However, in an allergy, a "mistake" occurs in the immune system: it incorrectly identifies these substances as dangerous and produces antibodies.
How do antibodies develop?
A dog's immune system, much like our own, consists of various cells that recognise and fight intruders. When these cells encounter an allergen for the first time, it is analysed and stored as a perceived threat. Certain immune cells (B-cells) then begin producing specialised defence proteins known as IgE antibodies.
What do antibodies do?
The IgE antibodies attach themselves to the surface of mast cells – a type of alarm cell found in the skin and mucous membranes. At first contact, nothing visible usually happens – but the body is now "primed".
How does the allergic reaction occur?
When the dog comes into contact with the allergen again, it binds to the matching IgE antibodies on the mast cells. This activates the mast cells, which release histamine – causing the typical symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Allergy in dogs: recognising symptoms
If your dog has a pollen allergy, it can manifest in a variety of symptoms. Common signs include:
- Itching (mainly around the paws, belly and ears)
- Frequent licking or chewing of the paws
- Red or inflamed skin
- Skin rashes
- Hair loss or a dull coat
- Recurring ear infections
- Rubbing of the eyes
- Sneezing or watery eyes
In some dogs, these symptoms occur exclusively on a seasonal basis, particularly in spring and summer – which is often a sign of a pollen or grass allergy.
The symptoms of a pollen allergy and other allergies are non-specific – they can also be caused by other conditions. In most cases, diagnosis is a process of elimination.
Does your dog have a pollen allergy?
Does your dog have a grass allergy, or is something else triggering the reaction? Finding out requires careful observation and patience. A symptom diary can be a great help – it allows you and your vet to track when and under what circumstances the symptoms occur.
Keep a symptom diary to identify patterns and give your vet the best possible support. → Download symptom diary for free (PDF)
Common allergies in dogs
- Food allergy (e.g. to certain proteins)
- Pollen allergy
- Flea saliva allergy
- Dust mite allergy
- Contact allergy (e.g. to cleaning products)
- Mould allergy
Food allergies in particular are often confused with pollen allergies. The key difference:
| Allergy type | When do symptoms occur? |
|---|---|
| Pollen allergy | Usually seasonal (spring/summer) |
| Food allergy | Year-round, often directly linked to feeding |
If you suspect your dog is affected by pollen or grasses, it's worth keeping a diary and cross-referencing entries with a pollen calendar. Keep an eye on the weather too: light, sustained rainfall washes pollen from the air – a relief for allergic dogs.
Pollen grains burst open (osmotic shock), releasing even more allergens that are smaller and more easily inhaled into the airways.
Find out how to recognise and treat a food allergy in our blog post: Food allergy in dogs: recognise it and feed correctly
Testing your dog for allergies: when does it make sense?
Because the symptoms are non-specific, other conditions and triggers should first be ruled out by a vet. An allergy test is only advisable once no other causes have been identified.
There are two testing methods:
Skin test (intradermal test)
Various allergens are injected into the skin and assessed based on the reaction. Most dogs are lightly sedated, as the test can be uncomfortable. The belly or chest is clipped, and between 30 and 50 test solutions are injected. Within half an hour, it becomes clear which allergens cause a reddening or swelling of the skin.
Blood test (serological allergy test)
A blood sample is taken from your dog. A laboratory then analyses whether IgE antibodies are present – for example, against specific pollens such as grasses.
All serological tests for allergies in dogs are currently of limited diagnostic value. In particular, for food allergies, the only reliable path to a definitive diagnosis is an exclusion diet.
Want to learn more about exclusion diets? Take a look at our blog post: Exclusion diet for dogs
Treatment: allergy tablets for dogs?
The diagnosis of pollen allergy has been confirmed – what now? There are various treatment options. Discuss with your vet which approach is right for your dog:
- Antihistamines for dogs
- Desensitisation (hyposensitisation)
- Corticosteroids
- Targeted allergy medications
Antihistamines
An antihistamine blocks or reduces histamine receptors and is usually given in tablet form. Unlike in humans, antihistamines are often only partially effective or entirely ineffective in dogs, and frequently fail to provide sufficient relief from itching.
Hyposensitisation / desensitisation
This therapy addresses the root cause of the allergy. Rather than simply managing symptoms, it gradually acclimatises the dog's immune system to the allergen. The vet injects tiny amounts of allergen under the skin, slowly increasing the dose during the introductory phase – usually at weekly intervals. It can take several months to reach the maintenance dose, after which the allergen is typically administered once a month.
Desensitisation should always be carried out during a symptom-free period. For pollen allergies, this means starting in autumn or winter.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids usually act quickly and reliably against itching and inflammation. They suppress the immune response and are primarily used during acute flare-ups and in severe cases. Long-term use is rarely recommended due to significant side effects. Tablets or sprays are generally preferred, as they can be discontinued at any time.
There are also a number of targeted allergy medications now available, including monoclonal antibodies and drugs that regulate the immune system.
Ask your vet to advise on which medication offers the best benefit-to-risk ratio for your dog.
Avoiding allergens with a dog pollen allergy
The best approach remains: avoid allergens such as pollen or grasses as much as possible. Here is what you can do to minimise contact with pollen:
- Adapt your walks: avoid tall grass and flowering meadows, use a pollen calendar and, where possible, walk at times when pollen levels are low. The air is also usually lower in pollen after rain showers.
- After every walk, wipe your dog's paws, face and belly with a damp cloth to remove pollen.
- Clean and care for the coat and skin – for example by bathing your dog with a specialist anti-allergenic dog shampoo.
- Keep your home clean. Vacuuming and especially damp mopping removes pollen from floors. Hoover and wash your dog's sleeping areas regularly.
- Pollen filters on windows: these allow you to ventilate without letting pollen into your home.
- Time ventilation to pollen levels: brief, intensive airing is better than leaving windows tilted. In cities, ventilate in the morning (lowest pollen load); in rural areas, in the evening. The air is cleanest after rainfall.
- Do not dry your dog's blankets and cushions outside after washing, so that pollen cannot settle on them.
Pollen allergy in dogs: strengthening skin & immune system
The right nutrition can make an enormous difference for a dog suffering from hay fever. Skin and immune system are closely interconnected: a healthy skin barrier helps repel allergens more effectively and is better equipped to resist itching.
Important nutrients for allergy-prone dogs:
- Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) – help regulate inflammation and relieve itching
- Zinc – strengthens the skin barrier
- Vitamins A and E – protect cells
- High-quality proteins – provide essential building blocks for the skin
Salmon oil is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. LuckyChef Beautyfuel Salmon Oil delivers omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – simply add it to your dog's food.
Beautyfuel Salmon Oil by LuckyChef
High-quality omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat – simply add to your dog's food.
Conclusion: managing pollen allergy in dogs
A pollen or grass allergy can be very distressing – for both you and your dog. With some adjustments to daily life, a balanced diet and medication where needed, you can support your dog until the pollen season is over and the symptoms subside.
Would you like to learn more about dog health? You'll find more articles from our vets in Ask the Vet.
