Can Dogs Be Allergic to Grass?

Just like people, dogs can develop allergies to a variety of environmental factors, and grass is a common trigger. A dog’s allergic reaction to grass can cause discomfort and irritation, mostly associated with their skin, but occasionally affecting the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. 

Signs such as itching, redness, skin lesions, and excessive licking may indicate your dog is suffering from an allergy. Understanding the symptoms and how to manage a grass allergy can help improve your dog’s comfort and overall well-being.

Overview of Allergies in Dogs

In simple terms, an allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to something that is usually harmless. This can be something in your dog’s diet, fleas, or something in the environment, such as dust mites or grass pollen. This type of environmental allergy is also known as atopy or canine atopic dermatitis. 

Allergies are extremely common in dogs. As a practicing veterinarian, it was a rare day when I did not see at least one patient with complaints related to allergies. Approximately 20% of dogs develop an allergy during their lifetime. 

Food allergies are the least common type of allergy, affecting just 0.2% of dogs, according to Banfield’s 2018 State of Pet Health Report. However, flea and environmental allergies have been on the rise. We also know that dogs with one type of allergy are likely to have others as well. Environmental allergens vary by location, season, and climate, but many of the most common allergens are found in the home, including: 

• Dust and storage mites
• Pollen 
• Dander
• Molds
• Fabrics
• Feathers
• Medications
• Cleaning solutions

Allergies occur in some dogs and not others for a variety of reasons, including genetics (certain breeds are more predisposed to allergies), environmental factors, and skin barrier and immune system dysfunction. 

Grass Allergies in Dogs

So, can dogs be allergic to grass? Absolutely. Dogs can be allergic to cut grass via direct contact (for example, if your pup loves to roll in the grass) as well as react to the pollen, which may stick to fur and mucus membranes, or be inhaled. Grass allergies often occur in the spring and fall when pollen levels are at their highest. While grass allergies can occur in dogs of any age, those one year and older are most often affected. 

Signs and Symptoms of Grass Allergies in Dogs

The symptoms of grass allergies in dogs are the same as the symptoms of other types of allergies. When people have allergies, they tend to get upper respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing and watery eyes. 

Dogs with allergies, however, most often have symptoms related to their skin. Grass allergies can affect the paws, ears, and abdomen, as well as other areas of your dog’s body. Common dog grass allergy symptoms include: 

• Itchy skin (known as pruritus) 
• Redness, rash, or inflammation
• Hair loss
• Other skin lesions, such as pustules (pimples), scabs, crusts, and sores
• Frequent and recurrent skin and ear infections
• Excessive licking and chewing of paws
• Digestive issues (in some cases), such as diarrhea and vomiting
• Respiratory issues (in some cases), such as sneezing or watery eyes

How to Confirm If Your Dog is Allergic to Grass

There are many skin conditions that cause similar symptoms to allergies. Additionally, food and environmental allergies often cause the same symptoms. To determine if your dog has allergies and if grass is the culprit, you will need to see your vet or a veterinary dermatologist, who may diagnose the issue in the following ways: 

History and Physical Exam

Your vet will need to get a complete medical history, including what your dog eats, when their symptoms first began, if there are any obvious patterns (such as if your dog is itchier at a certain time of year), what treatments have been tried in the past, if your dog is on flea prevention, and more. They will then perform a nose-to-tail physical exam to evaluate your dog’s overall health. Special attention will be paid to the skin and fur, in terms of what types of lesions are present and where on your dog’s body they are located. All these things can help provide clues about the underlying condition. 

Diagnostic Tests to Rule Out Other Skin Conditions

Your vet may recommend skin testing to rule out other skin conditions, such as fleas, mites, infection, ringworm, immune-mediated disease, hypothyroidism, and cancer. This often involves taking small samples of skin for evaluation under the microscope (cytology), growing an infectious organism (culture), collecting larger skin samples (biopsy), and bloodwork. 

Elimination Diet Trial

A 12-week diet trial with a prescription hypoallergenic diet may be recommended if your vet is suspicious of food allergies. This is the only accurate way to diagnose food allergies in dogs. 

Skin or Blood Tests to Identify Specific Allergens

Skin and blood testing can also be done by your vet or a dermatologist to determine what environmental allergens trigger your dog. This testing is generally only recommended if an owner wishes to pursue allergen-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots) as treatment. 

When to See a Vet for Grass Allergies

If your dog’s grass allergies are causing itchy skin that is interfering with their daily life or leading to secondary issues such as skin or ear infections, it’s important to see your veterinarian for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Allergies can be especially frustrating, because until the underlying cause is identified and resolved, your dog will continue to suffer from recurrent skin issues. Luckily, there are many treatment options available from your vet. 

Rarely, a dog may experience an anaphylactic reaction to something in their environment, which requires immediate veterinary treatment. 

Symptoms of anaphylaxis in dogs usually occur within 5-30 minutes of exposure and include: 

• Hives, facial swelling (eyes, muzzle, lips), redness, or itching
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive drooling
• Difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, or pale/blue gums
• Collapse, weakness, rapid heart rate with weak pulse, or cold limbs
• Seizures or loss of consciousness

Dog Grass Allergy Treatment

There are several types of treatments available to help manage a dog with grass allergy. 

Topical Treatments

Veterinary-prescribed medicated shampoos, creams, ointments, sprays, and wipes are an important part of treating skin reactions associated with allergies. Topical medications are often helpful at treating mild or localized infections caused by yeast or bacteria, and can also help soothe inflamed skin. 

Medications

There are many types of medications that vets use to treat allergies. Your dog may need antibiotics or antifungal medications to treat a secondary skin infection. They may also be prescribed medication to help control inflammation and itchy skin.

Allergy Shots

Immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, is a treatment designed to help dogs build up a tolerance to the specific substances they are allergic to. After identifying the specific allergens through testing, a customized serum is created and administered via injection or under the tongue in increasing doses over time. This process helps shift the immune response from overreacting with allergy symptoms to building tolerance. While it requires consistency and may take months to see results, immunotherapy can significantly reduce allergy symptoms and medication dependence.

Diet

If your dog has a food allergy as well as environmental allergies, they may need to eat a prescription diet, such as a hydrolyzed or novel protein food. If food allergies are not involved, it is still important to make sure that your dog is eating a high-quality complete and balanced diet.

Over-the-Counter Options

Such as oatmeal shampoo or antihistamines, are commonly used by pet owners but are generally not successful at managing severe symptoms associated with canine allergies. Other OTC treatments, such as coconut oil or essential oils, can even be harmful to your dog. The best course of action is to see your vet for an appropriate diagnosis and science-backed treatment options. 

How to Manage Grass Allergies in Dogs

If you suspect that your dog has a grass allergy, there are several changes you can make to your routine and home environment to help reduce their allergen exposure. Keep in mind that dogs who are allergic to grass also likely have other environmental allergies, and these techniques can be helpful for many types of allergies as well. 

• Limit exposure to grass when walking or playing outdoors
• Wash or wipe off paws after outdoor activity to help remove allergens 
• Keep your lawn trimmed and avoid letting your dog out in freshly cut grass
• Use an air purifier to help manage pollen levels inside your home 
• Keep up to date on parasite prevention 

Final Thoughts on Grass Allergies in Dogs

Dog grass allergies can be a frustrating experience for both pets and their owners. The good news is that with careful management and the right treatment plan, your dog can live a happy and comfortable life despite their allergies. By working closely with your veterinarian, identifying specific allergens, and implementing preventive measures, you can help your dog find relief from itchy skin and other allergy symptoms. 

FAQs

Can dogs grow out of grass allergies?

Unfortunately, unlike people, dogs do not outgrow their allergies. In fact, allergies in dogs tend to worsen over time. Therefore, it’s extremely important to work with your vet to come up with a treatment plan to keep your dog comfortable. 

Are certain breeds more prone to grass allergies?

While not specific to grass allergies, there are certain breeds more prone to developing allergies in general, including Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, West Highland White Terriers, and Pugs. 

Can indoor dogs develop grass allergies?

Yes, even indoor dogs can be allergic to grass. While they may have less exposure than dogs who spend more time outside, grass pollen can still enter the home through doors, windows, and on clothes and shoes. 

What does a grass allergy look like on a dog?

Grass allergies in dogs cause symptoms similar to many other types of skin conditions, including itchy skin, rash, redness, and hair loss. In order to determine if grass allergies are the cause of your dog’s symptoms, it’s important to see your veterinarian. 

Sources

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952662

https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/allergies-in-dogs

https://www.banfield.com/pet-health/State-of-pet-health

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/skin-disorders-of-dogs/itching-pruritus-in-dogs

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/anaphylaxis-in-dogs