What plants can make my dog itch? A Step-by-Step Guide

Pollen is to blame for many people’s seasonal allergies. Just like people, dogs and cats can also have miserable seasonal allergies from pollen. However, pets can be more exposed to these allergens because while most pollen floats on the air or is carried by pollinators, much of it inevitably ends up on the ground. Dogs and cats then walk through it or roll around in it, collecting this pollen on their fur. Eventually, it travels down the hair shafts and onto their skin, which can cause them to rub against anything thing that may satisfy the itch.

Pets can’t tell us if they’re suffering from allergies any more then they can run to the drugstore for Benadryl. It is up to us, as loving pet owners, to notice the symptoms of pet allergies. If your pet is suffering from what could be allergies, the first step is to get him/her to the vet.

Trees and grasses usually cause pollen related allergies in spring and early summer, while other plants can be a problem from spring through fall. When weather is wet and humid, mold and fungi can also cause allergies in both people and pets. While you can’t put your pet in a protective bubble to keep all allergens away, knowing what might be triggering allergies can help you to control them.

When seasonal allergies hit, they can make you feel pretty miserable. Your eyes itch and water. Your nose feels twice its normal size, has a mysterious itching sensation that you just can’t scratch and your hundred sneezes per minute don’t help. A gagging tickle just won’t leave your throat, though you’re pretty sure you’ve managed to cough out a lung. Seasonal allergies can ruin the nice weather that many of us have waited through months of cold, dark winter for.

While you’re wrapped up in your own hay fever misery, you likely didn’t notice Fido rubbing his snout on the floor, clawing at it, or knocking over furniture while obsessively trying to scratch. “Hmm, the dog seems as miserable as I am,” you think. Then you wonder, “Can dogs and cats have allergies too?” Continue reading for more information about pets and plant allergens.

Michelle is a writer and ghostwriter, specializing in wellness, sustainability, and global social change. She is particularly fond of serving ethical organizations who contribute to a better life for people and animals through humane and environmentally responsible missions. At Vet Organics, Michelle uses her time as a vet tech, her academic studies in animal science and behavior, and nearly a decade working on a ranch teaching animal husbandry to write on a variety of cat and canine health topics. When she isnt writing, Michelle can be found hiking in the mountains of Colorado with her dogs or snuggled up with a good book and her cats.

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Symptoms of Plant Allergies in Dogs

Depending on if your dog is having a contact allergy or an inhalant allergy due to plants, the symptoms may differ. Symptoms of plant allergies in dogs include:

  • Wheezing
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Itchy eyes
  • Watery eyes
  • Red eyes
  • Eye discharge
  • Runny nose
  • Scratchy throat
  • Reverse sneezing
  • Irritated skin
  • Skin infections
  • Itchy skin
  • Excessive licking of the skin
  • Types

    There are two main types of plant allergies in dogs. These types are contact allergy and inhalant allergy. Many homeowners choose to purchase specific types of plants that are hypoallergenic. Some types of plants that are hypoallergenic are:

  • Chrysanthemums
  • Dahlias
  • Marigolds
  • Wildflowers
  • Bamboo Palm
  • Dracaena
  • Pet owners should be aware, however, that many plants contain toxic properties that are harmful to dogs. Research your plant purchases before making them; it is also wise to keep plants out of the reach of pets and small children.

    How To Treat Itchy Dog Skin at Home Naturally

    Tradescantia sp, commonly known as the Spiderworts, and even more frequently called “Wandering Jew”. Is an extremely common cause of contact allergies in our doggy friends. This plant is extremely common in the Queensland backyard, often accepted as a ground cover plant in some gardens. Here is a range of pictures of various subspecies and their flowers. As you can see the species can have many forms.

    Wandering Jew is a common cause of contact allergies in dogs. The problem normally affects the underbelly, armpits and groin of the dog, as well as ears and face. Starting as pustules surrounded by red skin which the dog will self-traumatize – occassionally leading the bleeding and raw skin.

    In the past few weeks I have seen at least 6 cases of confirmed allergy to this plant. The best recommendation I can give is to remove the plant from the garden. Failing that prevent their dog accessing the plant.

    In a recent review of this article I was able to identify another species of plant that may be incorrectly identified as Wandering Jew and is probably more common in south east Queensland. This plant is not considered a noxious weed however does seem very good at proliferating in sunny areas.

    I am still unsure as to whether this species is also allergenic but I suspect it might be. The plant has small hairs on the main stems that could plausibly cause allergic reaction in dogs.

    A native of South America, wandering jew ([wiki id=en]Tradescantia fluminernsis[/wiki]), also called Trad, is a fleshy-leaved creeping plant that grows as a ground cover.

    Treatments depends on the severity of the case. Mild cases may just need a bath to wash away the allergens. Moderate cases may need an injection of cortisone to relieve the allergic reaction. Severe ongoing cases may need more intestive therapy with antibiotics, pain relief and anti- inflammatories.

    Ben Charlton is one of the partners of Kalinga Park Veterinary Surgery and has been the principal Veterinarian at Kalinga Park since the surgery opened in 2008.