When is allergy season for pets in Texas?

Spring and fall are the busiest times. Dr. Kohout points to March through June, then again September through November, as the stretches when trees, grasses, and weeds are blossoming and pollen counts are highest.

She was careful to note that those windows are a general pattern, not a rule. Between our unpredictable weather and multiple pollen sources, she explained, allergies "can really occur at any time in Texas." A warm January can bring symptoms on early, a long fall can carry them into December, and indoor triggers like dust mites and mold are present all year regardless of the season.

She also mentioned a pattern worth keeping in mind at home. Environmental allergies tend to get worse when a pet is spending more time outside, which usually coincides with the heaviest pollen months. If you notice your pet's symptoms tracking with the seasons or with more time outdoors, that is useful information to share with your vet.

What causes pet allergies in the Dallas area?

Pets can be allergic to many of the same things people are. The difference, Dr. Kohout explains, is in how it shows up. Where a person tends to get a runny nose and itchy eyes, a dog or cat usually gets itchy, inflamed skin. That is part of why allergies are sometimes mistaken for a simple grooming or behavior issue.

The triggers she sees most often in Dallas are:

Fleas. This is the one she brings up first. She often uses an analogy to explain why it matters so much: "I always compare fleas in dogs to peanuts for people with nut allergies." Just as one peanut can cause a systemic reaction in someone who is allergic, a single flea bite can set off a whole-body reaction called flea allergy dermatitis, which is the most common skin condition in both dogs and cats. She also wants owners to understand that the flea itself is often never seen. As she put it, "You don't have to see the flea for the reaction to occur."

Tree pollen. Dallas has a wide variety of tree species, which makes for a long, layered pollen season.

Grass pollen. Dr. Kohout names Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, and rye grass as common culprits.

Weed pollen. A significant contributor, particularly in fall.

Mold spores and mites, including dust mites. These are largely indoor triggers, and part of why some pets stay itchy even when pollen is low.

Telling food allergies from environmental allergies. When a pet is itchy, one of the first things Dr. Kohout tries to sort out is whether food might be involved, and she looks at the pattern over time to do it. The warning flag she watches for, she told us, is when the itching never lets up: "if their signs of allergies never wax and wane." Environmental allergies come and go with the seasons. Food allergies stay fairly constant year-round, and they often come with digestive signs like chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or a reduced appetite. She also wants owners to know something before they pay for testing: there are no accurate blood or saliva tests for food allergies in dogs right now, and the ones that exist have a very high false-positive rate, which means they often point to foods a pet is not actually allergic to. The only reliable way to diagnose a food allergy, in her experience, is an elimination diet trial using a novel protein (one the pet has never eaten) or a hydrolyzed diet, run strictly for at least 8 to 10 weeks with no treats, table scraps, dental chews, or flavored medications outside the trial. Even a small weekly exception can undo the whole thing, which is why she talks it through carefully with owners before starting.

What are the signs my dog or cat has seasonal allergies?

The common signs, Dr. Kohout says, are frequent itching, scratching, or licking, especially around the face, ears, paws, belly, and armpits, along with recurring ear infections, hair loss, watery eyes, and sneezing.

She also pointed out that itchiness does not always look the way owners expect. Among the signs she lists are "licking, biting, corn-cobbing, and chewing," that last one being the nibbling motion dogs sometimes make along their skin. Because of that, persistent licking or chewing is worth taking seriously even when there is no obvious scratching.

In cats, allergies often look different. Cats are easier to miss, which Dr. Kohout says is part of why feline allergies frequently go unrecognized. Rather than scratching visibly, cats tend to overgroom, so owners usually notice thinning fur or bald patches, often on the belly or legs, before they notice the behavior itself. She described two patterns more specific to cats. Many develop miliary dermatitis, small crusting bumps and scabs scattered across the body that are often felt before they are seen. Some develop larger raised plaques or ulcers called eosinophilic granulomas, which can appear on the lips, chin, belly, or back legs. Cats are also more likely than dogs to show respiratory signs along with skin issues, including wheezing, sneezing, and discharge from the eyes. Even so, she wanted owners to know that flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin condition in cats, just as it is in dogs.

Watch for secondary infections. Dr. Kohout was especially concerned to correct a misconception she sees often. Allergies weaken the skin's natural defenses, which makes bacterial and yeast infections more likely. Signs include pustules that resemble pimples, circular lesions called epidermal collarettes, crusts and scabs, an odor from the skin or ears, red or moist patches, and head shaking or ear scratching. As she puts it, "it is a common misconception that pets with skin problems just need antibiotics or anti-fungal treatment." Treating the infection on its own addresses the symptom but not the cause, so it tends to return once the medication stops. For that reason, she treats the secondary infection and the underlying allergy together rather than one at a time.

Some breeds are more prone than others. Any breed in Texas can develop allergies, Dr. Kohout emphasized, so this is about tendency rather than certainty. That said, she does see some breeds more often, including bulldogs (French and English), pugs, pit bulls, Staffordshire bull terriers, poodle mixes like goldendoodles and labradoodles, West Highland white terriers, golden retrievers, and shar-peis.

How do vets diagnose allergies in pets?

Allergies are what Dr. Kohout calls a diagnosis of exclusion. There is no single test that confirms them, so she works by ruling out other causes and watching how a pet responds to treatment. That is part of why the first visit is often not the whole story.

Her process generally includes taking a thorough history: when the symptoms started, which parts of the body are affected, and how they change through the year. Photos of a flare taken at home are helpful, since skin can look different by the time you get to the appointment.

Before anything else, she rules out parasites. She confirms the pet is on a consistent prescription flea preventative and actually receiving it, then uses a flea comb and skin scrape to check for fleas and mites. Without this step, she explained, allergy treatment often will not work, because the pet may still be reacting to bites.

From there she may sample the skin or ears. Cytology tells her whether a secondary infection is bacterial, yeast, or both, which guides the right treatment. Intradermal skin testing, which is what most people mean by "allergy testing," is done by a veterinary dermatologist, and Dr. Kohout does not order it for every itchy pet. Most pets react to grass, tree, and weed pollen, and there is no practical way to avoid those, so she recommends it mainly when the plan is to pursue immunotherapy, which has to be built around a pet's specific allergens.

When to stop treating at home and see a vet. Earlier than many owners do. Dr. Kohout's advice here was simple, and something she repeated: "Contact your veterinarian at the first sign of itch." Treatment tends to be more effective before inflammation sets into the skin, and waiting often means treating both the allergy and a secondary infection instead of just the allergy. If you are not sure whether what you are seeing needs a visit, Modern Animal members can reach our care team through 24/7 Virtual Care in the app to talk it through first. Book an appointment at your closest clinic now.

What are the treatment options for pet allergies?

There is no cure for allergies, so Dr. Kohout frames all of this as management, usually with a combination that is adjusted over time. It helps to think of it in two parts: clearing a secondary infection during a flare, and a longer-term plan that starts control measures before a pet's difficult months and gets revisited as they age.

Treating secondary infections. Based on skin or ear cytology, this may involve topical treatment, oral antibiotics, antifungals, or a combination, alongside allergy treatment rather than in place of it.

Cytopoint. Dr. Kohout describes this as an injection of a canine monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-31, the factor that drives itch in dogs. It is given under veterinary supervision, takes effect within 24 to 48 hours, controls itch for about 4 to 6 weeks, and can be repeated as needed. Because it has little anti-inflammatory effect, she finds it works best when started at the first sign of itching rather than during a full flare.

Apoquel. A prescription oral medication that reduces itch and inflammation. It belongs to a class called JAK-STAT inhibitors, which block several inflammatory proteins involved in itch. It is usually given twice daily as a loading dose, then once daily for longer-term control. Dr. Kohout notes it has more anti-inflammatory effect than Cytopoint, which makes it useful when the skin is already inflamed.

Steroids. Helpful when inflammation is very severe, because they broadly reduce the immune response, but Dr. Kohout does not use them first because of the side effects. These can include increased thirst, urination, panting, and appetite, and because steroids suppress the immune system, some doses can worsen an existing infection. Longer-term use can thin the skin, cause muscle loss, and slow wound healing. She avoids them in pets with heart disease or diabetes, and notes that long-term use in cats has been linked to diabetes.

Immunotherapy. Prescribed by a veterinary dermatologist after intradermal testing identifies a pet's specific allergens. It works by exposing the pet to very small doses of those triggers so the immune response becomes less severe over time, given as small injections or drops under the tongue. It is the only option here that works on the underlying immune response rather than the symptoms, though Dr. Kohout notes it can take up to 12 months to reach its full effect.

A note on over-the-counter antihistamines. They can help some pets, Dr. Kohout says, but she encourages owners to keep expectations realistic, since the itch cycle in dogs does not involve as much histamine as it does in people. Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Claritin can be used at the correct dose, and she recommends checking with your vet on the right amount for your pet's weight. One thing she was firm about: the product must not contain flavor additives, decongestants, or non-drowsy components, which can be toxic to pets. She specifically cautions against Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D, and suggests reading the active ingredients before every purchase. She also mentioned omega-3 fatty acids as a helpful long-term addition, since they support the skin barrier and reduce inflammation over time, and recommends a dog-specific or cat-specific product because those are better absorbed.

What can I do at home during allergy season?

Home care does not replace medical treatment, Dr. Kohout says, but it reduces how much allergen your pet is exposed to and can lessen how much medication they need.

Stay consistent with prescription flea prevention. Year-round, for indoor and outdoor pets. She is clear that over-the-counter flea products are not as effective, which matters when a single bite can trigger a flare. If keeping up with the monthly dose is difficult, Autoship in the Modern Animal app can handle reordering for products like Simparica Trio and Revolution.

Rinse allergens off the skin. Wipe paws and exposed areas with pet-safe grooming wipes after time outside, and bathe weekly or every other week during allergy season with a sensitive-skin or medicated shampoo. She adds one caution: overbathing with harsh shampoos can do harm, so it is worth asking your vet about the right product and frequency.

Keep the home environment clean. Vacuum regularly, wash bedding and toys, and change home air filters at least every 6 months.

Limit exposure during peak times. Take shorter walks during heavy pollen stretches, avoid tall grassy areas, and keep windows closed when air quality is poor.

Check the skin and ears regularly. Look for odor, red or moist areas, discharge, small bumps, and head shaking or ear scratching, so a secondary infection can be caught while it is still minor.

What does allergy treatment for pets cost?

Costs vary by location, and allergy care is rarely a single charge, because what a pet needs depends on how far along things are when they come in.

Several factors affect the total: the type of visit, your pet's age and health history, whether cytology is needed to identify a secondary infection, which treatment is recommended (an injection like Cytopoint is priced differently from a daily oral medication), and whether a recheck or a referral to a veterinary dermatologist is part of the plan. Ongoing prescription flea and tick prevention is a separate recurring cost, since it runs year-round in Texas, and pricing for those products is listed in the pharmacy hub in the Modern Animal app.

For a full breakdown of service and test pricing at Modern Animal, visit modernanimal.com/pricing. Everything is listed transparently so you know what to expect before you come in.

The bottom line. When we asked Dr. Kohout what she most wishes Dallas owners understood, her answer was straightforward: allergies are not curable, so a long-term plan is what keeps a pet comfortable through their season. Consistent, year-round flea and tick prevention, she added, is important for indoor and outdoor pets alike. And caring for a pet's skin usually means treating both the secondary infection and the allergy underneath it, not just one.

If your pet is licking, scratching, or overgrooming, it is worth reaching out sooner rather than later. You can book a visit at your nearest Modern Animal clinic, or start with a virtual visit if you would like a vet's opinion on whether it needs to be seen in person. We are always glad to help you figure out the right plan for your pet.