COLUMBUS, Ohio — Spring usually means allergy season for humans as well as animals.
“Typically, allergy season is always busy in central Ohio,” said Dr. Kim West, a veterinarian at Health & Harmony Animal Hospital. “If you're a veterinarian here, you know we're always busy. We're in spring, so everything is blooming, so it's definitely up right now.”
The number of allergy claims for insured pets in Ohio jumped nearly 25% from 2019 to 2023, according to pet insurance company Trupanion.
“Think of what's happening now as Central Ohio has always been like a mega-region of allergies,” West said. “And while I think that combination is probably always going to be bad, we're also starting to realize that we can do more.”
West pointed out that there are several signs owners should look out for to determine if their pet has an allergy.
“As you know, licking is a sign that it's itchy. So if they lick excessively or rub their face, or if you see symptoms such as hair loss, you may need to see your veterinarian,” West said.
Experts say pet owners can reduce the amount of allergens in their pets by wiping their pets with a damp cloth after going outside. Pet owners can also check to see if they have a clean air filter in their home. Animals have the same allergies as humans.
“We can have atopic dermatitis, which is basically like an inhalation or contact allergy from the environment,” West says.
Veterinarians say that if your pet's allergies aren't treated early, the pet's skin can become damaged and lead to secondary infections.
