What should you know about dog hay fever?

Hay fever can cause repeated sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, an itchy nose or throat, watery eyes, and reduced sense of smell. Symptoms may be seasonal or continue when indoor allergens are present. Nasal inflammation can contribute to sinus pressure, mouth breathing, poor sleep, or a cough caused by mucus draining into the throat. It is different from a viral cold because itching, repeated exposure patterns, and the absence of a general unwell feeling may point toward allergy, although symptoms can overlap.

Notice whether symptoms follow outdoor exposure, cleaning, or a particular season. Keep windows closed when pollen is high, change clothes after outdoor activity, and rinse the face or hair if pollen is suspected. A pharmacist or clinician can advise on a non-drowsy antihistamine, a nasal spray, or saline rinsing. Use nasal sprays with the recommended technique and timing; some work best when used consistently. If symptoms affect sleep, exercise, or concentration, arrange a review to check for allergic rhinitis, asthma, or sinusitis.

Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest tightness, blue lips, or difficulty speaking because these may indicate an asthma flare rather than uncomplicated hay fever. Arrange a medical review for one-sided facial pain, persistent fever, symptoms that keep returning, reduced hearing, or a cough that does not settle. Night-time snoring with pauses in breathing also deserves assessment.

Ask which trigger is most likely, whether testing would change treatment, how to use a nasal spray correctly, and whether your cough, sleep, or breathing needs separate assessment.