Itchy Dog This Pollen Season? Build Their Summer Support Kit

'Tis the season to be itchy. With a sneeze here and a scratch there, it's clear: allergy season is in full swing. And just like us, our dogs can feel the effects of environmental allergens, too. If your pup is stuck in a cycle of scratching, licking, and biting—with a few well-timed “achoos”—they might be reacting to the rising pollen levels in the air.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to spot the telltale signs of seasonal sensitivities, which behaviors to keep an eye on, and what you can do to help your dog feel their best. Because instead of itching through summer, they deserve to romp, roll, and run free. Let’s dig in!

Recognizing the Signs: Is Your Dog Affected? 

Dogs are known to lick, bite, and scratch, so how can you tell if it’s just your dog being a dog or something more troubling? 

Let’s take a look at these common warning signs, from nose to tail:

Skin

• Symptoms: Redness, bad odor, hair loss, scaly skin, dry, irritated. 
• Behavior: Scratching, licking, trembling, rubbing on objects.

Ears

• Symptoms: Bad odor, waxy discharge, yeast infections. 
• Behavior: Scratching, rubbing, shaking head

Paws

• Symptoms: Red or brown between toes, inflamed, hot spots, dry or cracked skin pads.
• Behavior: Chewing and licking.

Face

• Symptoms: Red, hair loss around ears or muzzle, swollen.
• Behavior: Lots of scratching, rubbing face with paws, sneezing.

Coat

• Symptoms: Redness, bare spots, bad odor, discoloration from licking, or sores. 
• Behavior: Licking body, scratching, rubbing on furniture.

If you’ve noticed your pup in a constant pattern of symptom-related behaviors, their immune system has likely flagged external airborne allergens as a threat.[1] This causes their cells to release histamine, redirecting blood flow to affected areas and activating nerve endings, spiking their irritation levels. [1]

The Itch is Real: Why Pollen Season Triggers Skin Trouble

During allergy season, pollen levels rise, and the environment becomes filled with particles. As a result, spending time outside with your dog might no longer be “a walk in the park.” These allergens can be found everywhere—in the grass at their favorite dog park, on the outdoor furniture where your dog naps, and even carried by the wind into their water bowl.

In fact, itchy skin related to environmental triggers is one of the most common concerns reported during high-pollen months.[2] 

When pollen levels are at their peak, dogs tend to show more intense signs of CAD, with excessive paw licking being a top indicator that they’re experiencing discomfort.[3] 

Related Read: Why Dogs Lick Their Paws & When It’s a Concern

How Your Zip Code Shapes Your Dog’s Reaction

When it comes to pollen, geography matters. Did you know your pup’s allergies are greatly influenced by where you are on the map? 

Based on the 2025 Allergy Capitals Report, Kansas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina rank among the worst states for seasonal allergies due to high pollen counts from grasses and weeds. 

States like Florida can be less forgiving because of their year-round warm climate and wide range of pollen-producing trees like oak, pine, and ragweed. And the data on pet insurance supports this, with one major insurer reporting a much higher increase in allergy claims compared to the national increase. 

On the other hand, the western part of the United States is known to be one of the best areas for dogs with allergy sensitivities. Mountainous and desert landscapes have drier climates and higher elevations, offering less exposure to winds filled with pollen. 

If you live in a higher-risk city or state, monitor your pup even closer, watching for concerning symptoms.  

What’s in Our PupGrade Summer Support Kit?

If you notice persistent or worsening symptoms, consult your veterinarian to determine the best course of action. Meanwhile, plan for the future by building a summer support kit with items that will help comfort your pup during pollen season. Here's what's in ours:

1. Supportive Supplements

• • Itch & Allergy Soft Chews: Support your dog’s natural response to seasonal allergies from the inside out with a blend of quercetin, omega-3s, and vitamin C.[4,5,6]

  • Skin & Coat Soft Chews: Support skin barrier function and a glossy coat with ingredients like fish oil, biotin, and zinc, and help your dog look and feel their best all summer long.[5,7]

2. Gentle Shampoo & Conditioner: Regular bathing helps reduce pollen buildup in your dog’s coat, and this Complete Care formula deep cleans with saponified coconut oil while staying gentle on the skin. It also features neem, organic aloe, oats, and calendula to support skin health and comfort.[8,9,10]

3. Wipes for Paws: Wipes are an easy way to support itchy paws by removing allergens stuck between paw pads, especially after walks. 

4. Topical & Physical Paw Barriers

• • Paw Balm: A non-invasive protective layer against allergens that helps soothe and moisturize paw pads–ideal for dogs with dry, irritated skin.  
  • Doggie Booties: Prevents direct contact with allergens. A great choice for extremely sensitive dogs, though they may require training or desensitization.  

5. Air Purifier with HEPA filter: HEPA air purifiers can significantly reduce indoor allergens by trapping pollen, pet dander, and dust. Be sure to choose one sized for the room your dog spends the most time in. 

6. Lint Roller: Frequently roll clothing and furniture to reduce the buildup of indoor allergens that your pup may re-encounter inside the home.

Empower Your Pup Against Summer Allergens

The sooner you’re able to identify the warning signs of allergies, the sooner you can take action to improve your dog’s comfort, hopefully preventing more severe reactions that call for a vet visit. 

Whether you live in a pollen-packed state or just want to be ahead of the summer spike, building your own support kit is a great first step. With the right routine and products on hand, your pup can spend less time scratching and more time soaking up the sunshine.

Ready to give your pup the comfort they deserve this pollen season? Shop PupGrade’s summer essentials today!

We've gone ahead and enclosed a 10% OFF Coupon below for you to use in the store - remember, your puppy DESERVES to have the healthiest life! Click here to start shopping!

This information is intended for general purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet or health routine, especially if you notice persistent or concerning changes in your dog's movement or behavior.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

Resources:

1. Rossbach, K., Stark, H., Sander, K., Leurs, R., Kietzmann, M., & Bäumer, W. (2009). The histamine H receptor as a new target for treatment of canine inflammatory skin diseases. Veterinary dermatology, 20(5-6), 555–561. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2009.00854.x 

2.  Drechsler, Y., Dong, C., Clark, D. E., & Kaur, G. (2024). Canine Atopic Dermatitis: Prevalence, Impact, and Management Strategies. Veterinary medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 15, 15–29. https://doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S412570 

3. Cerdeiro, A. P. S., Farias, M. R., Cunha, V. E. S., Secchi, G. V., Pacheco, B. D., Alcalá, C. O. R., & Ganho, R. G. R. (2021). Grass pollen sensitization in dogs in Paraná, Brazil: Comparison between percutaneous and intradermal testing. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 73(4), 821–826. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-12111 

4. Weng, Z., Zhang, B., Asadi, S., Sismanopoulos, N., Butcher, A., Fu, X., Katsarou-Katsari, A., Antoniou, C., & Theoharides, T. C. (2012). Quercetin is more effective than cromolyn in blocking human mast cell cytokine release and inhibits contact dermatitis and photosensitivity in humans. PloS one, 7(3), e33805. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0033805

5. Calder P. C. (2017). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochemical Society transactions, 45(5), 1105–1115. https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20160474 

6. Wakui, N., Togawa, C., Ichikawa, K., Matsuoka, R., Watanabe, M., Okami, A., Shirozu, S., Yamamura, M., & Machida, Y. (2023). Relieving psychological stress and improving sleep quality by bergamot essential oil use before bedtime and upon awakening: A randomized crossover trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 77, 102976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102976 

7. Marsh, K. A., Ruedisueli, F. L., Coe, S. L., & Watson, T. G. D. (2000). Effects of zinc and linoleic acid supplementation on the skin and coat quality of dogs receiving a complete and Balanced Diet. Veterinary Dermatology, 11(4), 277–284. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3164.2000.00202.x 

8. Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A. The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review. Iran J Med Sci. 2019 Jan;44(1):1-9. PMID: 30666070; PMCID: PMC6330525. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6330525

9. CHAP, Mäkinen, Outi, Sozer, Nesli, Ercili-Cura, Dilek, Poutanen, Kaisa. 2016/10/25, Protein From Oat: Structure, Processes, Functionality, and Nutrition, 10.1016/B978-0-12-802778-3.00006-8, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309642754

10. Parente LM, Lino Júnior Rde S, Tresvenzol LM, Vinaud MC, de Paula JR, Paulo NM. Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:375671. doi: 10.1155/2012/375671. Epub 2012 Jan 24. PMID: 22315631; PMCID: PMC3270572. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3270572/