Every dog parent should factor immune health into their pup’s lifestyle. A strong immune system is important year round, but it becomes even more crucial during springtime.

Springtime is rough for allergic pups. They do everything outside, whether that’s playing fetch, going for a walk or visiting other dogs. While they do so, they’re constantly bombarded with pollen that causes sneezing and itchy skin.

Itchy skin on pets is hard to ignore. The constant licking, chewing and jangling of their collar is enough to drive anyone nuts! People usually associate seasonal allergies with spring, leaving pet parents stumped as to why their fur babies are itching up a storm in the middle of winter. Most attribute it to the dry air, but skin irritation could be more serious than that.

Persistent itchiness and diarrhea are vague symptoms that puzzle many pet parents. They attempt to make their pups feel better by switching to a different food, but become even more puzzled when these symptoms persist. It’s clear something is wrong with your dog’s diet, but you can’t figure out what!

Owners typically assume their pet’s seasonal allergies will fade away along with the grass and flowers. But for some unlucky pups and cats, winter means their allergies have just begun! Spring and summer bring high pollen counts, but the cold months increase your pet’s exposure to indoor allergens like dust, mold and household chemicals.

Allergy symptoms in dogs are easy to spot. Recognizing when to step in and help is the hard part. Seasonal allergies are rarely fatal, but cases that go untreated can quickly become worse.

Sneezing, wheezing, itching—these allergy symptoms are all too common among humans. What pet parents tend to forget, however, is that their furry friends aren’t fans of pollen, either! Cats experience many of the same allergy signs as their owners, yet their comfort doesn’t always receive the same level of attention.

Summer is here, and that means you and your dogs are sure to hit the pool, the trails and tons of other places for adventures. Unfortunately, all this extra exposure to moisture and grass might leave your pup feeling itchy, or worse, at risk for a type of skin infection called a hot spot.

A scratch or two is nothing to worry about, but if your cat is constantly attacking red, swollen and itchy skin, it’s time to see the vet. Although it’s somewhat uncommon among cats, itchy skin can be a sign that your furry friend is allergic to something.