It's spring and we are all beginning to feel the effect: runny nose, itchy eyes, lethargy. It's a reminder of what's to come: seasonal allergies.

Allergies seem to be a way of life for us humans here in Southeast Missouri, and unfortunately, our pets are suffering from them as well.

In the pet allergy world, there are two main types: food and seasonal. If your dog or cat gets itchy during the spring and fall, there's a good chance he is suffering from seasonal or environmental allergies. If those symptoms plague him year-round, it's more likely something like food or a sensitivity to something he is exposed to all the time.

One exception would be here in good ol' Southeast Missouri, where as of late, we have had mild winters and unusual temperatures that could cause environmental allergens to build up or not be eliminated by a hard freeze.

Either way, your pet is uncomfortable, and so are you. If you see symptoms like these, your pet might be suffering from allergies:

* Itchy ears that may ooze and have a smelly discharge (your pet will shake his head a lot)

* Sneezing, or the reverse sneeze that sounds like a round of snorting

* Runny nose

* Watery eyes

* Red, inflamed skin (under your pet's layer of hair)

* Bumps and redness on the more tender parts of the skin, inside the legs and groin area, and even on the chin (your pet will lick these areas to relieve the pain and sensation, but that will possibly cause a hot spot, an open sore with a raised crusty edge that may ooze in the middle)

Allergies are an immune system response (just like with humans), so here are some things you can do to alleviate the discomfort and make your pet healthier:

* Wipe down your pet with a warm, damp cloth after he or she comes in from the outdoors. The early morning hours are the worst, because dew holds a lot of pollen. A warm, wet washcloth used on the feet, legs and belly should help remove any pollen that has settled on your pet's coat. Use a different towel each time.

* If your pet likes to roll in the grass, you might want to consider more frequent baths. We prefer an oatmeal-free shampoo. Oatmeal has a great reputation as a soothing ingredient, but in animals that have problems with grain allergies, they are likely to have problems with oatmeal shampoos. Grain-based shampoos may also provide a carbohydrate food source for unwanted yeast and bacteria. Stick with a sulfate-free, gentle cleanser. We always recommend diluting your pet's shampoo, as a little goes a long way. Sometimes, those flakes you see on your dog's coat are actually dried shampoo flakes that didn't get rinsed out, and not dry skin.

* If inflamed ears or runny eyes are a problem, you can use a warm, wet cloth to gently clean inside the ears and wipe the eyes. If you have an ear cleanser/medicine, gently add a couple drops inside the ear, rub the base of the ear and then let your pet shake. That will distribute the product throughout the ear canal. You can also use colloidal silver inside the ear to help kill any bacteria that may have settled in. Human saline solution (the stuff you use to store, not to clean, your contact lenses) is a great product for rinsing gunky eyes. It's sterile and less harsh than plain water. Use it directly or put it on a clean cloth and wipe down the eyes.

* Clean your house! Maintaining a clean environment for your pet will help keep allergies at bay for both of you. Vacuum and clean your floors regularly and don't forget any pet bedding. Pollen can be brought in on your pet and will stick to upholstery and bedding.

* Check your cleaning products, including your laundry detergent. Harsh detergents and toxic chemicals can aggravate allergies and make your pet uncomfortable. I use an essential oil-based cleaner as well as an all-natural oil-based cleaner in our house, and the smell is amazing! You and your family will be safer, too.

* Diet. This is a biggie. The better your pet's diet, the better his immune system. The better his immune system, the better his body can fight off the nasties. Foods high in carbs (plant proteins like corn, wheat, soy, etc.) will create or worsen inflammation. Your pet's food should be grain-free or have a low grain content. Just because the front of the bag says it's healthy does not mean it really is. Check the label. The first two or three ingredients should be meat, like chicken, beef, lamb or fish. Big pet food companies are sneaky and will add a lot of plant protein to their foods to pass off as meat protein, which for them saves money on their manufacturing costs. (They don't pass that savings on to you, either.) Read the actual ingredient panel, and if you recognize the ingredients, chances are it will be better for your dog or cat.

* Add a healthy vitamin supplement. There are lots of great things out there beyond fish oil. I am a fan of coconut oil for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Kelp is another great supplement. With more than 50 naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, it's a superfood for pets! Be careful of vitamins that add a bunch of unrecognizable ingredients. Chances are they are chemicals or artificially made.

* Add a probiotic or digestive enzyme to your pet's diet. Probiotics are microorganisms (live bacteria) that restore good bacteria to the body. Your pet's body needs a healthy balance of good bacteria to outweigh the bad bacteria. Probiotics can be administered several times a week. Good probiotics do not need flavor or anything added to it. Look for ingredients like lipase, protease, amylase (digestive enzymes that help with the breakdown of food) and L. (Lactobacilllus) acidophilus, L. salivarius or L. plantarum (good or "friendly" bacteria). Most probiotics and digestive enzymes come in powder form and can be sprinkled on food with a little water.

If you are diligent and have tried these things and still don't see improvement, don't hesitate to go to your vet. It might be time to have your pet tested for allergies. While allergy testing will incur a moderate cost for you, it will help determine if there are environmental or food related allergens that you can eliminate and help your pet live a happy and full life.

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About Stacy

Stacy Busch-Heisserer is the owner of Busch Pet Products and Deer Creek Doggie Day Camp in Cape Girardeau. She is a lifelong animal lover who has four cats and four dogs.