The Ultimate Guide to Recognizing and Relieving Your Dog's Seasonal Allergies
Spring and summer are truly remarkable seasons, especially here in Chicago. The flowers are blooming, the grass is growing, and it just seems like the earth is coming back to life. However, despite all of the cheerful colors, long walks, and warmer weather, environmental allergens quickly become a massive problem.
Dogs struggle with seasonal allergies just like we do! But while humans usually get the sniffles and sneezing fits, canine allergies typically manifest through their skin. There are a number of potential culprits that could be causing your pet’s discomfort, namely pollen, plant spores, mold, or insect bites. It’s important to closely observe your pet and recognize the warning signs early so you can take the necessary steps to help them find relief.
Here are the top allergy symptoms to watch out for in your pet, plus exactly what you can do to soothe them.
1. Excessive Itching and Scratching
If your dog begins to itch themselves excessively—particularly around their belly, armpits, and flanks—it is a classic symptom of environmental allergies (also known as atopy). My family had a German Shepherd named Peaches for over 13 years. Every year around this time, she would begin to itch vigorously. She would also nibble and chew at her legs, often leaving raw marks. This relentless itching is the number one sign your dog's immune system is reacting to pollen.
2. Swollen, Irritated, or Licked Paws
Your dog’s paws come into direct contact with a heavy load of allergens on every walk, including weeds, grass, and pollen. Furthermore, dogs actually sweat through their paw pads, making their feet a sticky trap for environmental irritants. Red, swollen paws—or a dog that constantly licks and chews at their feet—are tell-tale signs of an allergic reaction.
Safety Note: This isn’t always seasonal! If your neighbors use chemical fertilizers on their lawns, be even more diligent in checking your puppy. Exposure to toxic lawn substances can cause your canine’s paws to become severely inflamed or chemically burned.
3. Red, Puffy, or Weeping Eyes
Much like humans, dogs often suffer from irritated eyes as a result of a high pollen count. If your dog’s eyes are red, swollen, squinting, or producing a clear, watery discharge, environmental allergies are likely to blame. (If the discharge is yellow or green, it may be an infection, and it’s time to take them to the vet!)
4. Irritated Skin & "Hot Spots"
“Hot spots” (acute moist dermatitis) are particularly common in dogs that are suffering an allergic reaction. A hot spot is a highly irritated, red, oozing, and infected area of a dog’s skin. Rapid hair loss around the area is incredibly common. Oftentimes, dogs will cause the hot spot to intensify rapidly, as they will obsessively bite and scratch the affected area to relieve the intense itch. According to the American Kennel Club, it’s crucial to get your canine into veterinary treatment before this localized infection spreads.
5. A Foul Odor (The "Frito Feet" Smell)
If you’re not too stuffed up yourself, your nose can be a great indicator that your pet is suffering from allergies. Dogs with allergies have compromised skin barriers, which allows natural yeast and bacteria to overgrow. A bad, musty scent—often compared to corn chips or Fritos—signifies that your pet has a yeast or bacterial infection. These are especially prevalent in the paws and the ears (which will usually be bright red, inflamed, and sensitive to the touch).
How to Help Your Dog Find Relief
This list of symptoms is by no means comprehensive, as every pet is different. If you think your pet is experiencing allergic reactions, contact your vet right away. Modern veterinary medicine offers incredible, fast-acting allergy relief for dogs, including soothing medicated shampoos, daily medications like Apoquel, and long-lasting allergy injections like Cytopoint.
You can also help manage their symptoms at home with these quick tips:
- Wipe Their Paws: Keep a pack of dog-safe hypoallergenic grooming wipes by the front door. Wipe your dog's paws and belly after every walk to physically remove pollen and lawn chemicals.
- Frequent Baths: Bathe your dog with an oatmeal-based, soothing aloe shampoo to wash environmental allergens out of their fur.
- Use a HEPA Filter: Run an air purifier in the room where your dog sleeps to capture indoor allergens and mold spores.
Need a reliable dog walker who knows how to navigate the neighborhood safely? The professional Chicago dog walkers at Sparky Steps are trained to keep your pup off chemically treated lawns and out of harsh weeds. Contact us today to schedule your pet's next walk!
Written by Christian Harvey
Edited by the Sparky Steps Team (Last Updated: May 25, 2026)
