Environmental allergies

Cats and dogs, like humans, are vulnerable to environmental allergies and can suffer adverse immune reactions to substances they inhale or that come into contact with their skin. Allergies are often attributed to food, but environmental allergies are much more common.

Allergies can be challenging to identify, especially when an animal has never previously reacted. Dog walking routes and household cleaning products might be consistent, but the immune system is not a static entity, and tolerance levels can fluctuate. Additionally, the environment is dynamic with different plants and fungi releasing different pollens and spores respectively throughout the year. New wildflower species may have grown, and crops are rotated.

Symptoms can include hay fever-type symptoms (conjunctivitis, congestion, and nasal discharge) and irritated skin. Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition largely caused by environmental allergens, although food may be implicated. Genetics can play a role, with several popular dog breeds including the Labrador, Golden Retriever, and English Springer Spaniel being susceptible. The University of Nottingham determined that at least 10% of the UK canine population is affected by atopy, making it one of the most common causes of skin disease in dogs. Felines can also be affected. Research is ongoing, but there is a suspected genetic predisposition in some cat breeds including the Siamese, Persian and Devon Rex.

Atopic animals produce an increased amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Normally, these antibodies help protect the body against parasitic organisms, but they are also responsible for triggering allergic responses which can range from mildly irritating to seriously detrimental.

Please see our itching fact sheet for more information.

Pin-pointing allergens can be difficult because there are numerous potential culprits. If you suspect an allergy but don’t know what is responsible, try reducing exposure to those that are most common (please read on for details). While this might not always be totally viable (we and our pets cannot live in a bubble), taking feasible precautionary measures is sensible. Appropriate nutrition is important since immune support via diet may help increase allergy thresholds, leading to milder symptoms.

Tip: Although allergies are not directly caused by stress, it can worsen the symptoms. The gut-brain connection is therefore an important consideration and another reason to ensure the very best diet for sensitive pets even if they are suspected to suffer from environmental as opposed to dietary allergies.

Please see our adverse food reactions and diet & behaviour fact sheets for more information regarding dietary allergies and the effects of nutrition on our pets’ demeanour respectively.

Allergy season in the UK typically extends from late March to late September when there is more pollen in the atmosphere, but the colder seasons can bring their own challenges. An overlap between seasonal allergens can occur with their timing, peak, and severity being influenced by temperature, humidity, rain and wind.

Tip: Pollen tracker apps are useful for checking whether a rise in specific plant borne allergens locally could be responsible for allergy-symptoms that cannot be attributed to other causes.

Year-round symptoms are not uncommon due to substances other than pollen to which the animal is exposed, and it is also not unusual for sensitive cats and dogs to develop allergies to more than one substance if the immune system is working over-time. Below are some common seasonal allergens (this is not an exhaustive list):

• Alder
• Ash
• Birch
• Elm
• Hazel
• Oak
• Pine
• Plane
• Poplar
• Rape
• Sycamore
• Willow
• Yew

• Various grasses (especially Rye Grass & Timothy)
• Insect bites & stings, including fleas, ticks, ants, bees & wasps

• Broadleaf Plantain, Dock Weed, Mugwort, Nettle, Ragweed, Mugwort & Sorrel
• Harvest mites (Neotrombicula autumnalis)

• Dust mites (Dermatophagoides spp.)
• Mould (many species including Alternaria & Cladosporium can grow indoors if there is a moisture source)

Limiting exposure to outdoor allergens is difficult because dogs need to be exercised and many cats enjoy being outside. If you suspect which plants are problematic, it may be possible to alter dog-walking routes at certain times to avoid them. Pollen counts are generally lower when it is wet, damp, humid or windless as the pollen stops circulating and drops. However, our canine and feline friends’ noses are closer to the ground than ours so inhalation is still possible, although less likely. Pollen can also stick to the paws and coat and be inhaled when animals are grooming themselves.

Check your garden too for plants that could be an issue and replace them with other suitable species if feasible. Many plants are toxic to cats, and there are quite a few that dogs should avoid too, so be careful not to resolve one issue and end up with another!

Keep windows closed at home when the pollen count is high, and if your pets travel in your vehicle make sure pollen filters are changed regularly. A humidifier may be a useful investment for pets with very severe pollen allergies, although dust mites require humidity to survive so exercise caution if your pet has allergies to both. Don’t dry your pets bedding outside if the pollen count is high. If this is your only option, shake it well before bringing it in and iron it before storing or using.

Tip: Wipe and dry your pets’ paws and bellies when they come in from outside in case they’ve picked up pollen from the ground or undergrowth and are inhaling it when cleaning themselves. This is also useful for dogs with contact allergies to chemicals used on crops or grass verges.

It is best to consult a professional for remedial advice if mould is present or suspected in your home as the spores can make pets and people very ill. It is essential to ensure that any areas where moisture can access the home are repaired otherwise the problem will be continual. To keep the home fresh, wipe down condensation from windows and windowsills, avoid drying clothes on radiators and ensure that all rooms are adequately ventilated. A humid atmosphere promotes mould growth and increases the dust mite population so a dehumidifier may be beneficial - keep indoor humidity at under 50%, but at the opposite extreme, you do not want the atmosphere to be too dry either.

Tip:

• Dehumidifiers – Take moisture out of the air; helping reduce mould and dust mites (but a drier atmosphere is conducive to pollens).
• Humidifiers – Put moisture into the circulating air; helping reduce pollens and may improve respiration (but conducive to mould and dust mites).
• Air purifiers – Primarily designed to remove dander, pollen, dust mites and smoke from the circulating air; some also have the capability to remove mould spores and pathogens.

Reactions to stings or bites from the likes of bees, wasps, midges and even ants can be severe if your pet is allergic to the enzymes released by the insect. If your pet has had a past anaphylactic reaction, your vet may provide epinephrine for your pet’s body in case of a future emergency.

More commonly, dogs and cats are affected by fleas, ticks and mites. Flea bite allergies are very prevalent, and parasite control is important. Be sure to use safe, species-appropriate products and do not exceed the recommended dose. Natural products are available too such as neem oil which can be useful if your pet reacts adversely to chemical treatments for fleas, ticks and mites.

Most topical flea preparations also kill ticks which can carry borellia, a type of bacteria responsible for Lyme Disease, a debilitating condition that can affect humans as well as our cats and dogs. However, learning how to properly use a tick hook to quickly and safely extract these pests immediately is a great skill your pets will thank you for.

Harvest mites (Neotrombicula autumnalis) live in the soil and are common in grassy areas and woodland. They are particularly prevalent in late Summer and Autumn and can cause intense itching. Check your pet closely for tiny orange visitors regularly from August to late November.

Tip: If you see even a single flea on your pet, it is sensible to treat your home with a suitable product as there are almost certainly eggs and larvae waiting to develop into adult fleas and hop back onto their host for a feed when the time is opportune. There are plenty of alternatives to aerosols which are kinder to the environment but effective against these persistently pesky parasites.

Storage mites can affect dry food at any time of the year. Although they are typically associated with dusty dry cereal based feeds, they also favour a high humidity and some species are keen on protein and fat as well

High sensitisation rates to the Tyrophagus, Acarus, and Lepidoglyphus species of storage mites have been reported in atopic animals, and dry pet food can be a suitable substrate for their reproduction. Environmental conditions influence food contamination and mite development, so careful storage is important. We suggest keeping the dry food within its original pack inside an airtight container for a double layer of protection from moisture, heat and contaminants.
Our kibble does not arrive with storage mites, but they can take up residence when the pack is opened if care is not taken.

Tip: If purchasing large packs, an additional smaller container to hold up to a week’s supply of food is a good investment. This means that the remainder of the food is not exposed every time the animal is fed. Make sure treats are stored safely too, as well as dry foods for people and any other pets.

Please see our fact sheet for more information about the safe storage of dry dog and cat food.

House dust mites are found in the highest concentrations in carpets, bedding, curtains and soft furnishings. Their peak breeding season is May - October, but as with many other allergens, they can represent a year-round problem if the temperature and humidity is desirable for them. Central heating, bathing and cooking are essential but can raise humidity. A dehumidifier may be beneficial, especially if your home is prone to condensation.

1. Reduce humidity to below 50%.

2. Invest in hypoallergenic bedding for you and your pets (made from tight-weave natural materials that help reduce dust mite access).

3. Vacuum regularly including mattresses and pet beds

4. Damp dust frequently, especially in areas where people and pets sleep, sit or spend lots of time and dry afterwards.

5. Wash bedding at 60+ degrees which is high enough to kill the mites (clean bedding can be vacuum packed to protect it) 6. Launder curtains and soft furnishings regularly too (use gentle, un-fragranced products).

7. Don’t forget to wash soft pet toys regularly (items that won’t survive a hot wash can be sealed in a plastic bag in the freezer for a minimum of twelve hours once a month and then washed at a lower temperature)

8. If shampooing carpets and rugs, make sure they are properly rinsed and dried afterwards (a high temperature steam cleaner is ideal for hard floors).

9. Invest in a high-filtration vacuum cleaner with the capacity to retain a high proportion of the smallest particles.

10. Empty vacuum cleaners outdoors away from your pets.

With the exception of #1 (pollen is more prevalent in dry atmospheres so increasing humidity can help in such cases) these tips may also be helpful if your pet is affected by airborne allergens.

These include but are not limited to:

• Chemicals within grit preparations used to de-ice roads and pavements – boots may be required for dogs with extremely sensitive pads.


• Artificially scented cat litter.


• Straw itch mites (Pyemotes spp.) – these can infest the dry bedding (straw, hay and and other dried grasses) and grain-based feed of other animals (such as for rabbits and guinea pigs), although they generally do not survive for long indoors.


• Fragranced bath and body care products - perfumed products for people and pets.


• Home fragrances – artificially scented candles, reed diffusers, carpet fresheners and air fresheners (especially plug-ins).


• Bedding (both for people and pets), soft furnishings, dog coats etc - biological / scented cleaning and laundry products.


• Smoke.


• Medications - sensitive animals may experience allergic reactions to some topical medications.


• Dander - cat dander can be a particular problem for dogs. All cats and dogs in the household should be regularly groomed to remove dead skin cells and stimulate sebum production. Make sure grooming debris is quickly tidied up and disposed of. Wash brushes, combs and any other grooming tools regularly, and use separate equipment if you have both cats and dogs. Dogs may benefit from regular (but not too frequent) bathing with a mild emollient shampoo.


• Metal allergies – some sensitive animals may react to buckles/fitments on collars etc.

Tip: Regardless of the allergens affecting your pet, regular cleaning and vacuuming is a wise precaution. Frequent damp dusting to help reduce the number of particles being wafted up into the air that can be inhaled is also wise, as is eliminating or reducing the number of highly fragranced chemicals within the home.

High-quality diets that feed the skin and coat from the inside (for example, those containing higher Omega-3 levels) may be beneficial in cases of itchiness as a result of allergic dermatitis. The essential fatty acids EPA and DHA work in the skin to help reduce the amount and effects of histamine and other chemicals that are produced in response to allergens.

Animals do a lot of sniffing, so it’s no surprise that certain things can get up their noses and cause them problems. They are also smaller than adult humans, so what might be mildly bothersome to us such as a reasonably high pollen count on a summer’s day could be significantly more irritating to an atopic pet. As mentioned, a diet supporting the immune system (as well as the skin and other organs affected by allergic reactions) is recommended. For more information about our products and their potential suitability for cats and dogs with environmental allergies, please email our nutrition advisers or book a free 20-minute telephone consultation.

As a responsible and ethical company, Arden Grange fully appreciates the caution that must be taken when discussing the potential benefits of our diets and the nutraceuticals they contain. Whilst our ingredients are safe and natural, and may be beneficial to some of the cats and dogs fed on Arden Grange, we must highlight that their inclusion is not a substitute for veterinary intervention in the case of a sick animal.