We are now in the midst of the human hay fever season which means sneezing, runny eyes and other unpleasant symptoms.

Dogs too can suffer from summer allergies but rather than the respiratory system, with the dog it is usually the skin which is affected.

Reactions are usually blamed on grasses and pollen which are difficult to avoid.

While you cannot change the external environment, you can change your pet’s way of reacting to these external influences.

This is quite easy to do, by changing your dog’s diet to a more natural, wholesome diet.

Ideally, this way of feeding should be the norm throughout the year but it is not too late now.

In my experience, a diet based on simple wholegrains such as brown rice, oats or wholegrain maize (but not wheat), low in protein and fat and without chemical additives, can calm the system and reduce the dog’s overheated (no pun intended) inflammatory response to its normal environment in as little as three weeks.

Look for a food which lists all ingredients by name; no vague terms such as “cereals, cereal derivatives, meat or animal derivatives”.

This type of food, and nutrition advice to go with it, is more likely to be available from specialist pet suppliers rather than grocery stores. The fewer the ingredients in the food, the less chance of an adverse reaction to an ingredient.

Animal proteins are more likely than whole grains (but once again, avoid wheat) to cause an adverse reaction so the food should have a single animal protein source.

This is generally known as a “hypoallergenic” food.

Lastly, to reduce an inflammatory reaction, it is important to control the calorie intake so feed sparingly, with minimal fatty treats, something which can be difficult for over-indulgent pet owners.

John Burns BVMS, MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon and Founder of Burns Pet Nutrition