Autumn Allergies
Share
When autumn arrives it brings different air, damp ground, leaves on the ground, new things brushing against your dog’s skin - and even your home will feel different to them.
So if you notice more itching at this time of the year, it’s worth looking beyond what they are eating and asking what’s changed around them.
This blog looks at why autumn can stir things up for some dogs.
Not every itch begins in the bowl
Food reactions can cause skin problems, but itchy paws, recurrent ear issues and scratching are not specific to food reactions.
Environmental allergens like house dust mites, pollens and moulds can produce very similar clinical signs. That’s why, when a dog’s symptoms appear or worsen at a particular time of year, the timing and their environment become important clues.
Environmental allergies often affect the:
• Paws and between the toes
• Ears
• Face and around the muzzle
• Armpits
• Groin
• Abdomen
Signs can include paw licking and chewing, scratching, face rubbing, head shaking, redness, recurrent ear problems and changes to the skin or coat. Recurrent ear inflammation can also be associated with atopic dermatitis and, in some dogs, ear problems can be a particularly prominent sign.
Things worth considering include:
• When the symptoms started
• Whether they occur at the same time each year
• Where the dog sleeps
• Whether the dog sleeps on a human bed
• Carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture
• How frequently bedding is washed
• Increased time spent indoors
• Wet or muddy walks
• Contact with fallen leaves and decaying vegetation
• Whether paws remain damp after walks
• Changes in pollen and mould exposure
Understanding autumn allergies
House dust mites
Dust mites are a recognised environmental allergen in dogs and can play a role in canine atopic dermatitis. They thrive in indoor spaces on mattresses, bedding, carpets, rugs and soft furnishings, which makes a dog’s sleeping spot relevant, especially if they share the bed.
As autumn and winter settle in, dogs spend more time indoors. Windows stay closed, the heating comes on, and the indoor environment shifts. The heating itself doesn’t cause dust‑mite allergies, but the seasonal change can increase how much time a dog spends around indoor allergens.
You can lower your dog’s exposure by washing bedding regularly, including any blankets your dog uses. If they sleep on your bed, fresh sheets and a mattress protector can make a difference. Vacuum carpets and soft furnishings often, and keep their sleeping area as clean and dry as possible.
Mould
Moulds are another recognised environmental allergen in dogs.
Autumn provides ideal conditions for increased exposure to mould and fungal spores because of moisture and decaying organic matter - and we all know how they like to investigate grass, soil and leaves with their noses.
Fallen leaves, decomposing vegetation, damp soil, compost, woodland floors and other wet organic material can harbour moulds and fungi.
If they’re experiencing allergies, this is one to be aware of.
Autumn pollen
Pollen exposure does not necessarily finish when summer ends.
Different grasses, weeds and plants release pollen at different times of year, meaning a dog with environmental allergies may show a seasonal pattern that extends into autumn.
Wet paws and skin
Autumn often means more exposure to rain, wet grass, mud and damp ground. Moisture can remain between the toes, around paw pads and within skin folds, particularly in dogs with dense coats or hairy feet.
For dogs already prone to skin inflammation, persistent moisture can contribute to an environment in which secondary microbial problems are more likely to develop.
Malassezia yeast
Malassezia is a yeast that normally forms part of the microbial population found on canine skin. Finding yeast does not automatically mean that yeast is the original cause of the dog’s problem.
Dogs with allergic or inflamed skin can develop an altered skin environment that allows Malassezia to proliferate. Yeast overgrowth can then cause further itching and inflammation.
This can create a cycle:
Environmental trigger → skin inflammation → itching and licking → disruption of the skin barrier → secondary yeast or bacterial overgrowth → further inflammation and itching.
This distinction is important. Mould or fungi encountered outdoors should not simply be described as giving a dog a yeast infection.