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Seasonal allergies aren’t just a human problem - our dogs can suffer, too. Just like us, they can react to pollen, grasses, molds, and other environmental triggers that show up at certain times of year. The most common sign that something’s wrong? Itchy paws.
What Are Seasonal Allergies in Dogs?
Seasonal allergies, also known as atopic dermatitis when they’re chronic, happen when a dog’s immune system overreacts to environmental triggers. These allergens are usually inhaled or absorbed through the skin, which makes dogs itchy from the inside out.
Unlike food allergies (which are year-round unless the diet changes), seasonal allergies tend to flare up at specific times of year:
Spring – pollen from trees, grasses, and flowers
Summer – insect bites, grass, mold spores
Fall – ragweed, mold from damp leaves
Winter – dust mites, indoor allergens, dry air
Common Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
The symptoms often overlap with other conditions, which is why allergies can be tricky to pin down. Keep an eye out for:
Itchy paws (licking, chewing, or gnawing at the feet)
Red, inflamed skin between the toes
Ear infections or head shaking
Itchy, watery eyes
Sneezing or reverse sneezing
Hot spots (red, irritated patches of skin)
Generalized itching, especially belly, armpits, and groin
Because allergens often stick to a dog’s paws, paw licking is one of the earliest and most noticeable signs.
Why Dogs Get Itchy Paws
Dogs’ paws act like sponges - they touch every surface, including grass, dirt, and sidewalks coated in pollen or chemicals. Here are the main reasons paws get itchy:
Environmental allergens – pollen, grass, mold, dust mites
Food sensitivities – proteins or additives in their diet
Irritants – fertilizers, pesticides, de-icing salts, or cleaning chemicals
Infections – yeast or bacteria thrive in warm, damp paws
Histamine overload – some dogs react to high-histamine foods like fermented or aged products
Behavioral causes – stress or boredom can lead to obsessive licking
Do Symptoms Differ by Season?
Yes, and tracking patterns helps narrow down the culprit:
Spring/Summer – itchy paws, watery eyes, scratching at ears
Fall – sneezing, itchy paws, belly rashes
Winter – dry, flaky skin, cracked paw pads, dust-related itching indoors
Why Fermented Foods Aren’t Always the Answer for Dogs With Allergies
It’s common to hear that a dog’s seasonal allergies must be tied to a “leaky gut” or similar digestive imbalance. While gut health does play a role in the immune system, jumping straight to fermented foods as a fix can actually backfire. Here’s why:
1. Fermented Foods Are High in Histamines
Fermented veggies, kefir, yogurt, and bone broth naturally contain histamines.
Dogs with allergies are often already dealing with histamine overload - that’s why they’re itchy, red, and inflamed.
Adding fermented foods can pile on more histamine and actually worsen allergy symptoms like itchy paws, ear infections, and hot spots.
2. Gut Healing Is a Process, Not a Shortcut
Leaky gut doesn’t develop overnight, and it doesn’t heal overnight.
While probiotics and prebiotics are useful, they need to be introduced carefully and often as part of a structured plan (like Adored Beast Apothecary’s Leaky Gut Protocol).
Simply adding fermented foods without addressing diet, environment, and the immune system is like putting a band-aid on a bigger wound.
3. Every Dog Has Different Triggers
Some dogs tolerate fermented foods well. Others flare up immediately.
Seasonal allergies are primarily triggered by environmental allergens (pollen, grass, mold, dust) - not just gut health.
Supporting the gut is valuable, but it needs to be tailored, not assumed.
Instead of using fermented foods (or supplements) to improve gut health and boost the immune system, probiotics by Adored Beast Apothecary are excellent alternatives:
Fido’s Flora - canine species-specific, multi-strain probiotic
Pawsitive Immunity - a colostrom alternative that helps maintain normal histamine levels and combat seasonal allergies
Can Bathing More Often Help Dogs With Allergies?
Yes - but with some guidelines. Frequent baths can:
Wash off pollen and allergens from the coat and skin
Provide relief from itching with soothing shampoos
Reduce secondary yeast or bacterial infections
Tips for allergy baths:
Use a gentle, fragrance-free, moisturizing shampoo formulated for dogs.
Don’t overdo it - every 1–2 weeks is usually enough unless your vet suggests more.
Always rinse thoroughly; leftover shampoo can irritate skin.
Follow with a dog-safe conditioner or paw balm to restore moisture.
Grooming products I use:
Kin+Kind dog shampoo for itchy skin with olive oil, coconut oil, and cedarwood
Kin+Kind coat conditioner with shea butter and aloe
I also love shampoo bars. Gussy’s Gut makes an organic, gentle shampoo bar for members that contains palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, calendula, and aloe vera.
Homemade Paw Soaks for Itchy, Allergic Paws
If your dog comes home from a walk with red, itchy feet, a simple paw soak can help.
Epsom Salt Soak
½ cup Epsom salt in a gallon of warm water
Soak paws for 5 minutes, rinse, and dry thoroughly
Apple Cider Vinegar Soak (great for yeast)
1 part apple cider vinegar to 2 parts water
Soak paws for 5 minutes (avoid open wounds), rinse, and dry
Oatmeal Paw Soak
Blend plain, unsweetened oats into a powder
Add ½ cup to warm water
Soak paws for 5–10 minutes to soothe itching
Always dry paws completely before applying a salve - moisture trapped between toes can make yeast worse.
How to Soothe Dry, Cracked Paw Pads
Allergies and frequent licking can leave paw pads raw, cracked, or sore. Here are ways to help:
Natural paw balms – look for beeswax, shea butter, or coconut oil-based balms.
DIY balm – melt equal parts coconut oil and shea butter, let cool, and apply sparingly.
Protective boots – use dog boots during allergy season or in winter to prevent contact with irritants.
Dietary support – omega-3 fatty acids (from wild Alaskan salmon oil) help strengthen skin and reduce inflammation from the inside out.
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Adored Beast Apothecary Protocols for Allergy Support
Adored Beast Apothecary offers natural protocols designed to target the root causes of allergy flare-ups instead of just masking the symptoms. Two of their most popular are:
Yeasty Beast Protocol
This protocol focuses on balancing yeast overgrowth in the body - a common issue in allergic dogs who lick their paws. By supporting the gut and immune system, it helps reduce redness, irritation, and paw chewing. Benefits include:
Restoring a healthy microbiome to keep yeast in check
Reducing inflammation and itchiness
Supporting skin repair and healing from the inside out
Leaky Gut Protocol
A dog with allergies often has a compromised gut barrier, which allows allergens to leak into the bloodstream and trigger immune reactions. The Leaky Gut Protocol works to:
Heal and strengthen the gut lining
Reduce systemic inflammation
Improve nutrient absorption and immune balance
When used together - or tailored based on your dog’s needs - these protocols can address both the symptoms and root causes of seasonal allergies.
The Role of Betadine Spray for Paw Care
Another tool in managing itchy, irritated paws is Betadine spray (povidone-iodine). It’s an antiseptic that helps disinfect the skin and reduce the risk of secondary infections from constant licking or scratching.
How Betadine Helps:
Kills bacteria and fungi on the skin’s surface
Reduces risk of infection in open cracks or sores
Can be used after walks or paw soaks as a protective measure
Drawbacks to Consider:
Betadine can be drying to the skin if used too often
It may stain fur temporarily
Not ideal for dogs with very sensitive skin unless diluted with water
To use safely: apply a diluted solution (the color should look like weak iced tea) to your dog’s paws, let it sit briefly, then pat dry. Follow up with a paw balm to prevent dryness.
Contact your veterinarian for a product recommendation.
Treating My Dog’s Environmental Allergies
Seasonal allergies can be frustrating for both you and your dog. Still, with the right care - regular baths, paw soaks, soothing balms, targeted gut support, and occasional antiseptic sprays - you can keep your dog comfortable year-round. The key is observation and consistency: track when symptoms flare up, note what works, and adjust as needed.
I noticed that Buffy had allergies in August. She began to itch a lot and bite her paws. Initially, I thought it was fleas because I had become lax in prevention, and we had a few fleas. But once the fleas were dealt with, her itching and paw licking continued.
I removed foods that are high in histamines from her diet: bone broth, kefir, and other fermented foods.
I switched her from Gussy’s Gut to Adored Beast Apothecary probiotics and colostrum.
I increased the amount of salmon oil I was adding to her meals.
I wipe and dry her paws a few evenings a week and apply a salve; daily hasn’t been necessary for her.
Thankfully, I had already switched from canned fish (sardines, salmon, mackerel) to fresh fish (Oma’s Pride, locally sourced). I do add canned oysters to my meal prep, but the amount is minimal (a can for every 10 pounds of dog food).
Your dog may not outgrow allergies, but with natural support and a little extra TLC, they can still live a happy, itch-free life.
Of course, for dogs with more severe allergies, these steps might not be enough - but they’re an important starting point. Partner with a holistic veterinarian to explore options for giving your dog some relief. In some cases, prescription medication may be necessary. While it may not be your first choice, I see it as a temporary tool to keep a dog comfortable while working toward a more sustainable, natural routine.
