Some dogs are fine for most of the year, then start licking their paws, rubbing their face and scratching at the same time every year. That pattern is a useful clue. This guide covers what a seasonal pattern can mean, how vets handle a flare, and what can make the next season easier.
If your dog itches all year, or you are not sure where to start, read our overview first: Why Is My Dog So Itchy? The Most Common Causes. This article picks up from there and focuses only on the seasonal side.
Why itching can follow the calendar
Most seasonal itch in dogs is linked to atopic dermatitis, an allergy to things in the environment. Vets describe it as an itchy, inflamed skin disease that some dogs are born with a tendency toward, usually involving a reaction to allergens in their surroundings. [1]
Whether the itch is seasonal depends on what the dog reacts to. International veterinary guidelines put it simply: pollens tend to cause itch at certain times of year, while dust mites and food tend to cause itch all year. [1] A dog that reacts mainly to pollens may itch only during the months those pollens are in the air. A dog that reacts to dust mites tends to itch year-round.
Food allergy can look very similar on the skin, but because the food is eaten every day, the itch does not usually rise and fall with the seasons. [1] So a clear seasonal pattern points away from food as the main cause, though a dog can have more than one allergy.
Fleas can be seasonal too
Before blaming pollen, rule out fleas. The same guidelines note that fleas can be a year-round problem in warm climates and seasonal in more temperate areas. [1] Flea season and pollen season can overlap, and a flea-allergic dog can react to very few bites. Our itchy dog guide explains how to check for fleas and flea dirt.
What a seasonal allergy flare looks like
Itch is the first and main sign. It can show up as scratching, rubbing, chewing, licking, scooting or head shaking. The areas most often involved are the face, the inner side of the ear flaps, the belly, the armpits, the groin, the area around the bottom and the lower legs and paws. [1]
Points that matter for a seasonal pattern:
- Signs usually start young. Starting before the age of three is one of the clinical criteria vets use when they suspect atopic dermatitis. [1]
- Early in the season the skin may look normal. The guidelines note that a dog can itch with no visible skin changes at the start of an allergy or when a seasonal flare is just beginning. [1]
- Ears can be part of it. Itchy, inflamed ear flaps are one of the typical features, and repeated yeast infections are another clue vets look for. [1] See ear infections in dogs.
- Scratching causes its own problems. Over time, scratching, ongoing inflammation and infections lead to scrapes, hair loss, thickened or darkened skin, crusts and greasy scale. [1] Licked paws and hot spots often follow. See dog paw problems and hot spots on dogs.
Breed also plays a part. Some breeds tend to show the allergy in extra places, such as the lips, eyelids, elbows or chest, so the pattern on your dog may not match a textbook picture exactly. [1]
How vets confirm it
There is no single test that proves a dog has environmental allergies. Vets reach the diagnosis by looking at the history and signs and by ruling out other itchy conditions first, such as fleas, mites, skin infections and food allergy. [1] Keeping notes helps: which months the itch starts and stops, which body areas are affected, and what has helped before.
Allergy tests (skin or blood) do not diagnose the allergy. The guidelines say they are not screening tests: they are used after the vet has made the diagnosis, to find which allergens matter so a tailored immunotherapy can be made up. [1] Pollens also vary a lot from region to region, so vets doing skin tests should pick the allergens present where the dog lives. [1]
What vets do during a flare
The international treatment guidelines for vets (ICADA) describe three parts to handling a flare: find and remove whatever set it off, bathe with a mild shampoo, and calm the itch and the skin with prescription anti-itch treatment. [2]
In practice, that usually means:
- Finding the trigger. The guidelines name a recent rise in contact with environmental allergens, mainly dust mites and pollens, as well as food and flea or insect bites. Reducing contact with the trigger, where possible, helps prevent the flare from getting worse or coming back. [2]
- Treating infections. Bacterial and yeast skin and ear infections are common causes of flares in allergic dogs and are treated separately. [2] See pyoderma in dogs.
- Bathing. The guidelines suggest that how thoroughly and how regularly a dog is bathed may matter more for the itch than which shampoo is used. [2] They also warn that some medicated shampoos can be drying or irritating and may trigger a flare, so ask your vet which shampoo to use. [2]
- Anti-itch medicine prescribed by your vet. The guidelines list several prescription options for flares, given as sprays or by mouth. Your vet will choose one to suit your dog and will explain how long to use it. Long-acting injections are not recommended for flares. [2]
What about antihistamines?
According to the guidelines, antihistamines help only a little, and only in some dogs. They seem to work best when started before a flare and in dogs with mild signs. [2] Never give your dog a human medicine without asking your vet first, because many products contain other ingredients or need a dose your vet has to work out.
Planning for next season
Seasonal allergies are not cured, but the next season can often be easier. Atopic dermatitis is a long-term condition, so the aim is management with regular vet check-ups rather than a one-off fix. [1][2]
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (“allergy shots” or drops). This treatment is made up from the allergens found on testing, chosen to match what grows where the dog lives. [1] It is slow: the benefit may take a long time to appear, so the guidelines advise giving it a long, fair trial before judging whether it works. [2] Many dogs still need anti-itch medicine from their vet during flares while the immunotherapy is starting to work. [2]
Treating before the flare. The ICADA guidelines name two approaches as the most likely to prevent or delay the next flare: immunotherapy, and a planned routine of applying a prescription anti-itch spray to the skin that usually flares, before it does. In one small trial, this routine kept flares away from those spots several times longer than a dummy spray. [2] This is something to plan with your vet, not to start on your own.
Skin and coat care. For long-term management, the guidelines put avoiding known triggers first, along with good skin and coat care. That can mean bathing more often and, possibly, more essential fatty acids in the diet; ask your vet before adding a supplement. [2]
Keep up flea control. Fleas are a flare factor in their own right, and their season can overlap with pollen season. [1][2]
When to see your vet
Book a visit if:
- Your dog’s itch returns at the same time each year, so you can plan ahead before the next season
- Itching keeps your dog (or you) awake, or your dog licks or chews until the skin is red, wet or broken
- You notice red bumps, crusts, a smell, greasy scale or ear discharge, which can mean infection
- Your dog shakes their head or scratches at their ears
- Your dog coughs, wheezes or has a runny nose along with the itch
- Home care such as bathing has not helped within a week or two, or the itch keeps getting worse
FAQ
Can dogs get hay fever like people?
Dogs can be allergic to pollens, but in dogs the allergy shows up mainly in the skin, as itch, rather than as sneezing. [1] If your dog sneezes, coughs or wheezes, mention it to your vet.
Why is my dog itchy only in spring and summer?
A pollen allergy is a common reason, since pollen itch tends to follow the seasons while dust mite and food itch tends to last all year. [1] Fleas can also be seasonal in temperate areas, so your vet will check for them too. [1]
Will my dog grow out of seasonal allergies?
Atopic dermatitis is a long-term condition that needs ongoing management. [1][2] Many dogs can be kept comfortable with a plan that is adjusted over time.
Do allergy tests tell me if my dog has allergies?
No. Allergy testing is not a screening test for allergies; it is used to choose allergens for immunotherapy once the vet has diagnosed atopic dermatitis. [1]
How long do allergy shots take to work?
It is slow. The benefit can take a long time to show, so the guidelines advise a long, fair trial before deciding whether it works. Your vet will tell you when to review it. [2]
The bottom line
An itch that comes back at the same time each year often points to an environmental allergy such as pollen, but fleas and infections can follow the seasons too. Your vet can rule those out, treat the flare, and help you plan ahead with bathing, flea control, and, for some dogs, immunotherapy or treatment that starts before the season does.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog is itchy, uncomfortable or unwell, please see your veterinarian.
Sources
- Hensel P, Santoro D, Favrot C, Hill P, Griffin C. Canine atopic dermatitis: detailed guidelines for diagnosis and allergen identification. BMC Vet Res. 2015;11:196. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4531508/
- Olivry T, DeBoer DJ, Favrot C, et al. Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: 2015 updated guidelines from the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA). BMC Vet Res. 2015;11:210. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4537558/