Picture this: It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining. Your dog is frolicking in the grass. But then you notice that your puppy is scratching more than they’re playing, and they’re covered in red, itchy spots. Suddenly, you worry, “Can dogs be allergic to grass?”
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Just like humans, dogs can develop allergies to elements in the environment, and that includes grass.
What does this mean for your itchy dog? Get ready to find out. Here’s what you need to know about grass allergy in dogs, including causes, symptoms to look out for, and how to manage and treat this condition to soothe your pet’s itchy skin.
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Grass?
Yes, not only can dogs be allergic to grass, but grass allergy is also among the most common environmental allergies in dogs. Dogs that get itchy and inflamed skin from environmental allergens (including grass pollens, molds and dust mites) have a condition called atopic dermatitis. Also known as atopy, this condition affects about 10 to 15 percent of all dogs (1).
A smaller percentage of dogs with grass allergies have contact dermatitis. This means that contact with the grass itself, not just the grass pollens in the air, triggers the allergic reaction (2).
The likelihood of dogs developing grass allergies can vary significantly depending on factors such as your area and the season. That’s because grass pollen levels tend to be higher in warmer climates and at certain times of the year, such as spring and summer.
While grass allergies are not life-threatening, they can seriously affect your dog’s quality of life. If not managed properly, dog grass allergies can cause significant discomfort, manifesting as skin irritation, itching and inflammation.
What Causes Grass Allergies in Dogs?
Dogs with herb allergies typically have an abnormal immune response and a defective skin barrier. Normally, the skin behaves like a shield, blocking particles outside a dog’s body from entering deeper skin layers. When an allergen like grass pollen gets on the skin of an allergic dog, their immune system mistakes the harmless pollen for something dangerous. This misidentification triggers an allergic response that makes the skin inflamed and itchy.
Certain types of grass, such as Bermuda, Timothy, Kentucky bluegrass, Orchard and rye grass, are most likely to cause allergic reactions in dogs (3).
Although any dog can develop a grass allergy, some dog breeds are genetically predisposed to developing atopic dermatitis and grass allergy. These breeds include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, French Bulldogs, Boxers, German Shepherds, West Highland White Terriers, Poodles, Dachshunds, and Cocker Spaniels (1).
Symptoms of Dog Grass Allergy
If your dog is allergic to grass, they may have symptoms that appear seasonally when pollen counts are high. However, dogs with environmental allergies are often allergic to more than just grass (dust mites, for example). So symptoms can be year-round and occur internally and externally.
Symptoms of a grass allergy include:
- Constant scratching and licking
- Red, inflamed skin
- Hives or rash, especially on the belly and under the legs
- Chronic ear infections
- Less commonly, runny nose and watery eyes, especially during high pollen seasons
Identifying herb allergies can be difficult because of their non-specific symptoms, which can mimic other allergies. However, dogs with symptoms that appear seasonally are more likely to have a grass allergy, as opposed to a food allergy, for example.
Diagnosing a dog allergic to grass
Veterinarians diagnose herb allergies primarily by ruling out other types of allergies and, eventually, by allergy testing.
Diagnosing herb allergies begins with a thorough examination by a veterinarian. Your vet will examine your dog’s skin and note the pattern and timing of symptoms. If your dog is not on a year-round flea preventative, your vet will prescribe medication for this so that a flea allergy can be ruled out as a cause of your dog’s symptoms.
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If your dog’s symptoms are year-round, your vet may recommend a food trial with a new protein or hydrolyzed protein diet to rule out a food allergy as the culprit.
Once atopic dermatitis is confirmed, skin or blood tests to detect specific allergens can be done to identify specific allergies, including different types of herbs.
Dog Herbal Allergy Treatment
Herb allergies, like any other allergy, cannot be cured, but medications and other treatments can help eliminate or greatly reduce symptoms.
Some commonly used medications include:
Steroids
Steroids used to be the only effective treatment for severe allergy symptoms in dogs. However, this is less common now due to their risk of serious side effects (especially with long-term use) and the availability of newer, more targeted treatments.
Cyclosporine
This medication is safer than steroids when used to treat chronic grass allergies in dogs. However, it can take weeks for symptoms to improve, so it may not be the best choice for treating flare-ups. It is available in both generic and branded forms, in capsules or liquid medicine. Common side effects include digestive upset, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Immunotherapy
Allergy shots or sublingual drops containing the specific allergens a dog is allergic to can help desensitize the immune system to herb allergies over time. This tends to be effective in about 50 to 75 percent of dogs but can take up to 1 year to be effective (1).
Citation point (locivetmab)
This is an injection containing antibodies that neutralize the compounds that trigger itchy skin in dogs with a grass allergy. One injection relieves itching symptoms for 4 to 8 weeks, but the shots can be quite expensive.
Apoquel (oclacitinib)
Apoquel has proven to be a game changer for treating herbal allergies in dogs. It targets the specific immune factors involved in the allergic reaction, offering quick relief from itching and inflammation without the potential for long-term side effects associated with steroids.
It is much more effective than antihistamines because histamine only plays a small role in dog allergy symptoms. Apoquel can begin to relieve allergy symptoms in as little as 2 hours, and it can be stopped and started as needed to relieve allergy symptoms.
Studies support that long-term use of Apoquel in dogs is safe (5). It tends to be well tolerated by most dogs, but can cause stomach upset on rare occasions.
Dog Grass Allergies Home Remedies
If you’re wondering if human medications, such as Benadryl or Claritin, could help tame your pet’s grass allergy itch, the answer is: probably not. These common over-the-counter solutions are antihistamines, which are not usually effective for allergies in dogs. According to one study, they performed no better than a placebo pill (6).
Also remember that it’s never a good idea to give your dog human medication without first consulting your vet. Although some may be effective, it is very important to first consult your veterinarian regarding dosage and the specific medications that are safe to use.
For mild herb allergy symptoms, some home remedies may help:
Soothing Baths
Washing your dog with a hypoallergenic or medicated shampoo can soothe the skin and help remove allergens from the fur. Just remember that over-shampooing can irritate your dog’s skin even more. So limit baths to once or twice a week, tops. And use cold water, because hot water can make irritated skin itch even more.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These “good fats” help build immunity, improve skin health, and fight inflammation—three important benefits that can strengthen your dog’s defenses against herbal allergies. Although these essential nutrients are found naturally in foods such as fish and flaxseed, most commercial dog foods are not sufficient. So you may want to consider a dietary supplement to ensure your dog is getting the full benefit that omega-3 fatty acids have to offer.
Prevention of Grass Allergy in Dogs
Preventing grass allergies involves minimizing your dog’s exposure to the allergen:
- Avoidance: Keep your dog off freshly mowed lawns and tall grasses, especially during peak pollen seasons.
- Paw and Body Wipes: Use hypoallergenic wipes to clean your dog after they’ve been outside to remove pollen and allergens.
- Indoor Air Quality: Use air purifiers to reduce indoor pollen levels, which can help during allergy season.
While grass allergies can be a challenge for dogs and their owners, understanding the symptoms, diagnoses and treatments available can lead to effective management of the condition.
If you work closely with your veterinarian, you can help ensure that your dog enjoys the great outdoors without suffering from bothersome allergy symptoms.
References:
- Gedon, Natalie Katharina Yvonne, and Ralf Steffen Mueller. “Atopic dermatitis in cats and dogs: a difficult disease for animals and owners.” Clinical and translational allergy vol. 8 41. 5 October 2018, doi:10.1186/s13601-018-0228-5
- Mason, Kenneth, and Merja Ruutu. “Canine dermatitis on contact with a grass leaf: A case series.” Veterinary dermatology vol. 34.2 (2023): 115-124. doi:10.1111/vde.13143
- Top 10 Pollen Allergy Symptoms in AnimalsNextmune, 18, Feb 2021,
- Gadeyne, Caroline et al. “Efficacy of oclacitinib (Apoquel®) compared with prednisolone for the control of pruritus and clinical signs associated with allergic dermatitis in client-owned dogs in Australia.” Veterinary Dermatology vol. 25,6 (2014): 512-8, e86. doi:10.1111/vde.12166
- Marsella, Rosanna, et al. “Oclacitinib 10 years later: Lessons learned and directions for the future.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical AssociationVol. 261, no. S1, March 25, 2023, p. 1–12, doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.12.0570
- Hsiao, Yun-Hsia et al. “Effects of cetirizine in dogs with chronic atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Journal of veterinary science vol. 17.4 (2016): 549-553. doi:10.4142/jvs.2016.17.4.549