Seasonal dangers for dogs: allergies, grass seeds and more

Dogs can be allergic to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds, and to mould spores. In the UK, tree pollen comes first, in spring, then grass pollen from late spring into summer and weed pollen into early autumn, when damp weather also brings more mould spores. Timing varies by area and weather, so check a local pollen forecast.

In dogs, the allergy mostly shows in the skin: licking or chewing the paws, rubbing the face, scratching the armpits and belly, red skin, head shaking and repeated ear infections. Sneezing and runny eyes are much less common than in people. Flare-ups tend to return at the same time each year.

Fleas, mites, food allergy and skin infections cause similar itching, so your vet needs to rule them out first. Scratching damages the skin and invites infection, so do not wait it out. Never give human antihistamines or other medicines unless your vet says so: some are toxic to dogs.

Note when and where your dog itches, so your vet can see the pattern. In Snootly, a quick Daily Log note builds that record, and Pup Care keeps vet visits and any allergy your vet confirms.

• After walks: wipe your dog's paws, belly and muzzle with a damp cloth.
• At home: wash bedding weekly in the pollen season.
• Outdoors: avoid long grass on high pollen days, and keep your lawn mown short.

Grass seeds are the pointed seed heads of long grasses, often called grass awns by vets. Some act like tiny arrowheads, catching in fur and moving only forwards until they pierce the skin. They are mainly a summer problem in meadows and woodland, and dogs with hairy feet and ears are most at risk.

Toes and ears are the usual spots, but seeds also lodge in the eyes, nose, armpits and skin. Under the skin a seed can travel, occasionally as far as the chest, causing infections and abscesses, and seeds rarely show on X-rays.

After walks in long grass, check the toes, ears, eyes, armpits and coat, and pick off loose seeds. If one has started to burrow in, or may be in an eye, ear or nose, see your vet promptly rather than digging it out. Mown paths and short hair on the paws and ears help prevent problems.

• Paw: constant licking, a painful swelling between the toes or a sudden limp.
• Ear: head shaking, a tilted head, or pawing or rubbing at the ear.
• Nose: sudden, violent sneezing.
• Eye: redness, swelling or discharge, or an eye kept half closed.
• Skin or body: a sore spot, a wound that will not heal, or low energy with a temperature that comes and goes.

Spring brings adders out of hibernation and bulbs into flower. Snootly's 'Is this plant safe?' checker lets you look up house and garden plants.

The RSPCA says dogs are 10 times more likely to suffer heat illness out in hot weather than in cars. In summer, walk early or late, carry water, and test pavements with the back of your hand for seven seconds: too hot for you is too hot for paws.

• Tree pollen (spring): the year's first allergy flare for some dogs.
• Daffodils, tulips and other bulbs (spring): poisonous, especially the bulbs, and so is daffodil vase water.
• Adders (spring and summer): leave the bite alone and go straight to a vet.
• Easter treats (spring): chocolate eggs and the dried fruit in hot cross buns are both poisonous.
• Heatstroke (summer): heavy panting, drooling, confusion, weakness or collapse is an emergency.
• Hot cars (summer): never leave a dog in a parked car, even in shade with windows open.
• Grass seeds and grass pollen (summer): check your dog after every walk.
• Blue-green algae (mid to late summer): can kill quickly; avoid water that looks like pea soup or has foam at the edge.
• Bee and wasp stings (spring to early autumn): see a vet straight away if there is severe swelling, vomiting or trouble breathing.

Autumn walks are full of things dogs pick up, and fireworks around Bonfire Night and Diwali frighten many dogs.

In winter, small, slim, very young, older and short-haired dogs feel the cold most, so head home if your dog starts shivering or seems very tired.

• Conkers and acorns (autumn): poisonous if eaten, and they can block the gut.
• Wild mushrooms (autumn): some are deadly; if your dog eats one, go to the vet with a photo or a sample wrapped in paper.
• Fallen fruit (autumn): some pips and stones contain toxins, and mouldy or fermenting fruit can make dogs ill.
• Harvest mites (July to November): tiny orange mites causing intense itching on the feet, legs and belly.
• Fireworks (autumn): walk before dusk, draw the curtains and make a quiet den; ask your vet early if your dog panics.
• Antifreeze (winter): tastes sweet but can kill in small amounts; call your vet at once if your dog may have licked any.
• Grit and de-icing salt (winter): can irritate paws, and upset stomachs if licked; rinse paws after walks.
• Festive food (winter): chocolate is poisonous, and so is the dried fruit in mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake.
• Cold and wet walks (winter): dry your dog well and keep them on a lead near frozen ponds.
• Darker evenings (autumn and winter): use a reflective collar or a light-up lead and keep ID tags current.

Call your vet straight away, or an out of hours vet, if your dog has eaten something poisonous, been bitten by an adder, swum in water with blue-green algae or is struggling in the heat. Do not wait for signs or try to make your dog sick; take any packaging or plant sample with you.

For heatstroke, the RSPCA's advice is cool first, transport second. Stop exercise and move your dog out of the sun or a hot car into shade. Pour any water cooler than your dog over their body, especially the neck, belly and thighs but not the head, and fan them. A conscious, healthy dog that is not elderly can be immersed in a cool paddling pool or stream; otherwise, spray with room temperature water. Never lay a damp towel over your dog. Once cooled, drive to the vet in a cool, ventilated car, phoning ahead.

Trouble breathing, collapse and severe swelling after a sting need a vet straight away, as do vomiting, diarrhoea or trembling a few days after an autumn woodland walk, possible signs of seasonal canine illness. In Snootly, Pup Care keeps your vet's details in one place.