During the winter months, dogs may experience allergic reactions to various environmental factors. Dogs can be allergic to environmental factors such as pollen, mould, dust mites or even grass. Pollen allergies are less common in winter, but other allergens are more prevalent.

Which allergens are common in dogs during the winter months?

During the winter months, your dog may suffer from various allergens, although some allergies are more common in other seasons. Here are some common winter allergens:

• Dander and dust mites

When dogs spend more time indoors, as happens in winter, there is greater exposure to dust mites and dander from humans or other pets. Some dogs may be allergic to these.

• Mould

Mould growth can be encouraged by poorly ventilated and damp areas. This can cause an allergic reaction in dogs.

• Food

Food allergies can occur all year round, but during the winter months some dogs are given more table scraps or other food. This can trigger allergic reactions.

• Winter chemicals

During the winter months, road salt and antifreeze can cause skin irritation in your dog. This can exacerbate allergic reactions if your dog comes into contact with them.

Symptoms of winter allergies in dogs

Common symptoms that dogs may experience due to allergies in winter include itching, scratching, biting or licking the skin, hair loss, ear infections and respiratory problems such as sneezing or coughing.

How can you manage winter allergies in dogs?

There are a few things you can do to relieve your dog of the symptoms associated with winter allergies. For example, you can ventilate your home properly to reduce the build-up of allergens such as dust mites and mould.

Dry your dog thoroughly after he has been out in the rain or had a bath. Do this with a towel rather than a hairdryer to prevent further skin irritation.

Protect your dog’s paws from ice and de-icing salt by grooming the hair between their toes. Don’t let it get too long and use Vaseline if necessary to prevent dryness.

If you don’t know what is causing the allergic reaction, you might consider an elimination diet. This allows you to remove certain ingredients and identify the source of the allergy. Hypoallergenic nutrition is usually recommended to help identify the allergens.

Which allergies in dogs can get worse in winter?

If your dog is allergic to dust mites or mould spores, this can get significantly worse in winter. In winter, people are more likely to keep their windows closed and turn on the heating. Dust mites and mould spores then circulate through the heating system, spreading throughout the whole house.

What factors most commonly cause allergies in dogs?

There are three main categories to which dogs are most allergic: food, the environment and fleas. There are also a few other types of allergies, such as contact allergies, drug allergies and allergies to chemicals, which are slightly less common.

Dogs can develop food allergies to certain ingredients. The most common are beef, chicken, dairy products, wheat, eggs and maize. The symptoms that may result include itching, ear infections, vomiting, rashes and chronic diarrhoea.

Environmental allergies are caused by allergens such as house dust mites, mould spores, pollen, grass, feathers, smoke or perfumes. The symptoms include red skin, itching, sneezing, watery eyes and ear infections.

Flea allergy can be the most severe. Dogs that are allergic to fleas react very strongly to the saliva from flea bites. Even a single flea bite can cause severe itching.

How do I know if my dog is suffering from a winter allergy?

There are a number of signs that may indicate your dog is suffering from allergic symptoms in winter:

• Skin problems

Skin infections, scabs, bumps, hair loss, bald patches, scratching, licking, red skin or irritated skin.

• Ear problems

Shaking the head, scratching the ears, red and warm ears, a foul odour or discharge.

• Stomach and intestinal complaints

Chronic diarrhoea, vomiting or excessive flatulence

• Respiratory problems

Sneezing, watery eyes, a runny nose or shortness of breath

How do I know what type of allergy my dog has?

Environmental allergy: These symptoms can flare up and subside and may also be seasonal. Try to pay close attention to what your dog has come into contact with and the environments your dog spends the most time in.

Flea allergy: This almost always leads to skin problems. Fleas can sometimes be seen with the naked eye, but sometimes not. However, your veterinarian will be able to rule out a flea allergy straight away.

Food allergy: These can cause a wide range of symptoms. Skin and intestinal problems are the most common. Pay close attention to your dog’s diet and try to avoid treats or table scraps whilst on an elimination diet.

What helps with allergies in dogs?

In the case of a food allergy, you can put your dog on an elimination diet, feeding them hypoallergenic food for eight to twelve weeks. After that, you can reintroduce ingredients one by one to see which ones your dog reacts to.

For environmental allergies, you can wash your dog regularly to rinse away allergens. Wash blankets, vacuum frequently and use air purifiers. If you discuss this with your veterinarian, allergy immunotherapy may be an option; these are injections designed to reduce the immune system’s reaction. You can also administer an anti-itching supplement that boosts the immune system and suppresses allergic symptoms.

In the case of a flea allergy, you can use flea treatments to combat fleas. Wash the dog’s bedding and vacuum carpets and furniture thoroughly. To soothe your dog’s skin, you can use special shampoos or ointments to relieve the itching.

Conclusion: What causes winter allergies in dogs?

We can conclude that dogs are prone to various allergies during the winter months, including house dust mites, mould, food and winter chemicals such as road salt. As dogs spend more time indoors in winter, their exposure to allergens increases, which can lead to symptoms such as itching, skin irritation, ear infections and respiratory problems.

To manage winter allergies, it is important to ventilate your home properly, keep your dog clean and dry, protect their paws from de-icing salt, and consider an elimination diet for food allergies. Regular cleaning, the use of air purifiers and, if necessary, allergy immunotherapy can help to reduce symptoms. A visit to the veterinarian can clarify the exact cause of the allergic reactions and help in finding a suitable treatment.