When pollen counts rise in spring, some dogs start licking their paws, rubbing their faces on the carpet and shaking their heads with sore ears — signs of environmental allergy, which usually begins in young dogs and tends to return each season, so recognizing it early and working with your veterinarian on a long-term plan spares your dog a lot of discomfort.
The most important first
- Itchy paws, face, ears, armpits and belly that flare in spring or summer are typical of environmental allergy (atopic dermatitis).
- It usually starts between 6 months and 3 years of age, and can become year-round over time.
- Fleas make every itchy dog worse. Keep flea control up to date.
- There is no single test that diagnoses it; your vet rules out other causes first.
- It can be managed, not cured. Most dogs need a long-term plan rather than one course of treatment.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
What seasonal allergies look like
The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that atopic dermatitis is an allergy to things in the environment, such as pollens, molds and house dust mites. It usually begins between 6 months and 3 years of age. Dogs most often itch on the feet, face, ears, front legs and belly; licking the paws and rubbing the face and eyes are common, and scratching can lead to skin and ear infections and hair loss. Signs often follow the seasons but can be present year-round. Golden Retrievers, Labradors and West Highland White Terriers are among the breeds known to be predisposed.
Why some dogs develop it
Atopic dermatitis has both genetic and environmental causes. In a study of 2,445 Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Harvey and colleagues found that being reared in an urban environment was a risk factor, while living with other dogs and regular walks in woods, fields or beaches were protective. In a 2026 review, Marsella argues that changes in how dogs live, including more pollution, less contact with rural environments and more sedentary lifestyles, help explain why allergies have become more common, and urges veterinarians to focus on the factors owners can change.
Is it pollen, fleas or food?
- Flea allergy. A single flea bite can set off intense itching, especially over the back and tail base. Fleas also flare up other allergies, so effective flea control is the first step for any itchy dog.
- Food allergy. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes food allergy as less common than environmental allergy. It is diagnosed only with a strict elimination diet trial of up to 3 months, with no treats or table food; blood and skin tests are not reliable for food allergy.
- Environmental allergy. Diagnosed by the dog’s age, breed, signs and history, after other causes have been ruled out. Allergy tests help choose what goes into immunotherapy but cannot diagnose the condition on their own. Timing can matter: Faucher and colleagues, following 26 allergic dogs through all four seasons, studied how test results varied with the season, so ask your veterinarian or dermatologist when testing makes most sense for your dog.
How it is treated
In 2026 the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA) updated its treatment guidelines. Mueller and colleagues organize treatment into two phases: reactive treatment to calm a flare, then proactive treatment to keep the skin in remission and prevent new flares. Options include skin barrier care and bathing, treating infections, avoiding allergens and other flare factors, fast-acting anti-itch and anti-inflammatory medicines, and allergen-specific immunotherapy. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that immunotherapy is the approach many veterinary dermatologists prefer, but that it can take about 6 months to show improvement and up to a year to judge.
What you can do at home
- Wipe paws and face after walks in high pollen season, and wash bedding often.
- Keep flea control going all year.
- Follow bathing advice from your veterinarian; regular bathing helps the skin barrier.
- Watch the ears. Head shaking, scratching or a smell from the ear usually means a flare or infection.
- Keep a simple diary of when signs start and stop. It helps your vet spot the pattern.
- Keep your dog active outdoors. Harvey’s study found walks in woods, fields and beaches associated with lower risk.
In practice
Every May, an owner notices her two-year-old retriever licking his paws raw and getting ear infections. Her vet treats the flare, starts a plan for skin care and flea control, and refers her to a dermatologist, who suggests immunotherapy. The next spring the dog still needs some medicine during peak pollen weeks, but no ear infections.
(Illustrative, composite scenario.)
When to call your veterinarian
- Constant licking, chewing or scratching that disturbs your dog’s sleep.
- Red, broken or smelly skin, hair loss or a sore, smelly or painful ear.
- Swelling of the face or hives that appear suddenly.
- Itching that comes back every year at the same time, so you can plan ahead.
- If in doubt, call — your vet would rather hear from you early.
Work on it
A few minutes here will teach you more than re-reading the article.
Ask yourself
- Does my dog’s itching follow the seasons?
- Is my dog’s flea control up to date?
- Do I know which body areas my dog scratches most?
Find out & check
- Start a one-line diary of itching and ear problems this season.
Do one thing
- Wipe your dog’s paws with a damp cloth after every walk this week.
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Sources & further reading
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Allergies in Dogs. merckvetmanual.com
- Mueller RS, Banovic F, Bensignor E, Santoro D, Nuttall T (2026) — Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: updated guidelines from the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA). Veterinary Dermatology. doi.org
- Harvey ND, Shaw SC, Craigon PJ, Blott SC, England GCW (2019) — Environmental risk factors for canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective large-scale study in Labrador and golden retrievers. Veterinary Dermatology 30:396–e119. doi.org
- Marsella R (2026) — Environmental factors are responsible for the rise of atopic dermatitis in dogs: veterinarians should focus on modifiable influences. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 264:11–19. doi.org
- Faucher J, Love KR, Quinn AR, Bizikova P (2026) — Longitudinal analysis of seasonal variations in intradermal test reactivity and serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E in dogs with atopic dermatitis. Veterinary Dermatology 37:511–521. doi.org
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Fleas of Dogs. merckvetmanual.com
Where evidence is limited, recommendations rest on established practice and expert judgment, and may be updated as knowledge develops. Treatment choices and doses belong to your veterinarian. This is general information and does not replace advice from your veterinarian.
Next steps
- Read next: Atopic dermatitis and breeding.
- Related: Ticks and tick-borne disease in dogs · Puppy warning signs: when to call the vet.
- Return to the guide: For your puppy buyers.