“Why Is My Dog Suddenly Itchy?!”: A Spring Allergy Survival Guide from Riva’s Pups

Last night on our usual post-tea wander, I got chatting to a lovely woman who was deep in the throes of a spring allergy spiral with her dog. You know the one – sudden itching, red ears, watery eyes, mystery rashes that pop up faster than your Amazon orders. They’d been through the ringer: tests, vet visits, more tests, yet still no clear answer.

Oh, how I felt for her.

Because we’ve been there – hi Riva – and trust me, it’s a rough ride when you’re watching your pup itch and scratch and sneeze their way into a frenzy. The good news? There is light at the end of the pollen-coated tunnel. These days, Riva’s looking mighty fine. Ears? Calm. Eyes? Clear. Belly? Not a rash in sight. And because I wouldn’t wish the allergy game on anyone, I want to share what we’ve learned the natural way – from one dog parent to another.

1. Nettle to the rescue (yes, really)

If you’ve not discovered the magic of nettle yet, allow me to introduce your new best friend. Nettle is nature’s antihistamine – it calms inflammation and soothes seasonal allergies in dogs without the drowsy side effects. We include it as standard in our cold-pressed food at Riva’s Pups, and we also sell a pure nettle supplement for an extra boost during high pollen times (looking at you, May).

Nettle's particularly great for calming red, itchy skin – and with Riva’s doodle coat, it's made a world of difference.

2. Local honey: not just for toast

A teaspoon a day of local honey (we swear by Blackberry Camp if you're an East Devon local) can help desensitise dogs to the very pollen in the air around them. It's like a little edible vaccine. Drizzle it over food, pop it in a Kong – just keep it raw and local for maximum effect.

3. Coconut oil: the all-rounder

Slather it, feed it, love it. Coconut oil is a fab natural remedy – antibacterial, antifungal and deeply soothing for dry, irritated skin. We often mix it with zinc oxide to treat sore spots or scratches (if you're renting and haven’t got a zinc stash, Sudocrem will absolutely do).

Bonus: coconut oil gives your pup a gloriously glossy coat. Think shampoo advert, but for dogs.

4. Paws, bellies, ears – wipe them down!

After every walk, we always wipe down paws, tummies and ears. It’s shocking how much pollen clings to curly coats and between little toes. We use Adios compostable, plastic-free wipes (available via our shop!) – kind to the planet, and kind to your pup.

5. Feed to heal – cold-pressed FISH

When you’re not sure what’s triggering the allergies (is it chicken? wheat? a rogue tree?), the best thing to do is strip it back. Our go-to? Riva’s Cold-Pressed FISH. It’s naturally hypoallergenic, packed with omega-rich oils for skin and coat health, and free from common allergens like chicken.

Once things settle, you can reintroduce other proteins bit by bit to find out what’s setting your dog off. We call it the “calm it, then crack it” method – and it works.

6. Thornit Powder: the old-school gem

This one’s a secret weapon: Thornit Ear & Foot Powder. It’s a natural, zinc-based powder made by a 100-year-old family business. We use it with Riva to soothe sore ears and itchy paws, and it’s been a game changer. If your pup’s constantly nibbling their feet or flapping their ears, this is well worth a try.

Gentle. Natural. And oddly satisfying to use.

7. Scratches, sores, and the dramatic flail

If your dog’s scratched themselves raw (it happens), a mix of zinc oxide and coconut oil makes a soothing, protective paste. For a quick fix? Yep – Sudocrem. We love a posh product, but sometimes the high street hero does just fine.

8. Sometimes... antihistamines

We’re big fans of natural solutions first, but sometimes you do need a little extra help. If things get really bad, a vet-approved antihistamine like Piriton (yes, the human one – but always vet-checked) is a safe go-to for dogs. Just don’t go rogue with the dosage.

Final thoughts: Be kind to yourself (and your itchy dog)

If your pup's scratching like mad or suddenly developing springtime symptoms, you're not alone. Allergies can creep up out of nowhere – especially for puppies experiencing their first ever spring (Willow’s flying through hers so far, touch wood!).

Keep it simple, keep it natural, and if you're stuck – give our cold-pressed food, nettle supplements and Adios wipes a go. We created them to help Riva, and now we’re sharing the love with all your pups too.

You can find everything mentioned over on Rivaspups.co.uk – and if you’re not sure what’s right for your dog, drop us a message. We’ve been through the chaos, now we’re here to help.

Here’s to a calmer, scratch-free spring 🐾
Love,
The Riva’s Pups Team