The short answer
Yes. Seasonal allergies affect an estimated 10 to 15% of dogs, possibly more. The clinical term is canine atopic dermatitis — an inherited tendency for allergic reactions to environmental factors. It looks nothing like human allergies. Dogs don’t sneeze much. They itch.
What it actually looks like
Humans get runny noses and watery eyes. Dogs get itchy skin, especially on their paws, belly, armpits, and ears. You’ll notice your dog licking their feet, scooting on the carpet, shaking their head, or chewing at their flanks. Chronic ear infections are another giveaway, particularly if they come back every spring or summer.
The itching comes from an overactive immune response to airborne allergens like tree pollen, grass pollen, ragweed, mould spores, and dust mites. Certain breeds are predisposed to atopic dermatitis.
The Ontario picture
Southern Ontario’s pollen season runs from roughly April through October. Tree pollen hits first in April and May. Grass pollen peaks from June through July. Then ragweed takes over in August and September. Ontario and Quebec get some of the highest ragweed counts in the country.
If your dog’s itching lines up with those windows, seasonal allergies are a strong bet. If the itching never lets up regardless of season, food allergies are worth investigating instead.
Walking through Bronte Creek or Lions Valley Park during peak pollen months means your dog is wading through triggers. A quick rinse of your dog’s paws and belly after outdoor walks makes a noticeable difference.
What you can do
Mild cases respond to regular paw wipes, more frequent baths with oatmeal shampoo, and keeping your dog out of freshly mowed grass. Benadryl is an option for mild flare-ups, but it falls short for most dogs with moderate to severe symptoms.
For dogs who are genuinely uncomfortable, treatment usually involves a combination of medication to reduce the itch and inflammation plus topical treatments to clean and protect the skin. On the medication side, your vet has much better tools now than a decade ago. Apoquel (a daily tablet) and Cytopoint (an injection every 4 to 8 weeks) target the itch pathways directly and work fast.
If you’re not sure whether your dog’s symptoms are allergies or parasites, here’s how to tell the difference between allergies and fleas.
Key takeaways
- An estimated 10 to 15% of dogs experience seasonal allergies. It’s one of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet.
- Dogs show allergies through itchy skin, not sneezing. Watch for paw licking, ear infections, and belly redness.
- Ontario’s pollen season runs April through October, with ragweed in late summer being a major trigger.
- Wiping paws and belly after walks reduces allergen load.
- Modern treatments like Apoquel and Cytopoint outperform older options for most dogs.
References
- Olivry, T. et al. “Canine Atopic Dermatitis: Prevalence, Impact, and Management Strategies.” Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, 2024. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PetMD. “Dog Seasonal Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” petmd.com
- Kleenex Canada. “Pollen Calendar: Types of Pollen by Month.” kleenex.com