Are you currently sitting with a handkerchief glued to your hand because of that fantastic hay fever season? Safe to say you’re not alone. Many people suffer from pollen allergies, but four-legged friends can also suffer from hay fever. If your dog or cat – like its owner – is a victim of the pollen season, you can help your pet with these tips.
Also read: The reason to sleep better with your dog than with your partner
Pet with hay fever
People suffer from it, but pets can also suffer greatly from hay fever. Of course you want to help your beloved four-legged friend, but what is the best way to do that? Veterinarian Kristel de Munnik from AniCura Ermelo tells Editie NL how to properly deal with a sniffling animal. “It happens a lot, but people don’t think about it that quickly,” says Kristel in conversation with Editie NL. “They also say it a bit jokingly when they come by (at the practice, ed.): ‘It looks like he’s suffering from hay fever.’ That often turns out to be the case.” According to De Munnik, animals suffer from it just as much as people. “The complaints are similar to those of humans.”
Why do animals get hay fever?
In general, pets cannot always be compared to people, but when it comes to hay fever they can. Veterinarian Marnix Lamberts of EDZ Amsterdam states: “The immune systems of all mammals are somewhat the same. And we humans are of course mammals, just like cats and dogs. Any creature that has a respiratory system like ours can get hay fever.”
How do you help your animal?
Hay fever mainly affects dogs, in the sense that these four-legged friends really suffer from watery eyes, a runny nose and itching. How sad! “The treatment depends on what the complaints are and how bad they are. Sometimes eye drops are sufficient, sometimes anti-itch medications are needed,” explains veterinarian Kristel de Munnik. If your pet suffers from this for a very long time or on a recurring basis, the vet can also provide tailor-made medication.
If you want to help your animal without medication in the short term, it is smart to rinse their paws after they have been outside. This way they can’t rub the pollen in their face and it bothers them less. This applies to both dogs and cats. A cooling bath or anti-itch shampoo can also help! Those poor animals…
