Pollen season and dog allergies in Florida
Florida's pollen season is brutal — oak, pine, and Bahia grass all peak between February and May, and unlike northern climates, there's no winter freeze to reset things. The pollen that lands on your dog's coat goes everywhere they go.
Symptoms of pollen allergies in dogs: itchy paws (chewed pink), red ears, scratching at the face, hot spots that appear out of nowhere, and worse-than-usual shedding. Many owners assume it's fleas; pollen is just as common.
The single most effective at-home tool: a quick paw wipe-down with unscented baby wipes after every walk. This removes 80% of the pollen before the dog tracks it onto the bed and licks it off the paws.
For the rest, professional grooming helps more than at-home baths. A high-velocity dryer blows pollen out of the topcoat far better than air-drying ever can. Schedule baths every 3 weeks during peak pollen — March through April — and ask your groomer to use a hypoallergenic shampoo.
If symptoms are severe — open sores, constant scratching, ear infections — see your vet. Apoquel and Cytopoint are common allergy treatments for Florida dogs and can transform an itchy spring into a normal one.