Can Pets Get Seasonal Allergies? Strengthening Their Defense from the Bowl

As the seasons change, many of us reach for the tissues to combat sneezing and watery eyes. But for our four-legged companions, seasonal allergies often look very different. Instead of sneezing, they scratch.

Watching your pet constantly lick their paws, rub their face against the carpet, or struggle with recurring ear infections is heartbreaking. You want to provide relief immediately. While environmental triggers like pollen, grass, and mold are often the cause, the secret to resilience lies in their immune system—specifically, in their gut.

Here is how ZEAL’s functional nutrition can help build a barrier against seasonal irritants from the inside out.

The Itch Starts on the Inside: The Gut-Skin Connection

It is easy to think of skin issues as an external problem, but science tells us otherwise. There is a powerful link between the digestive system and the skin, often called the "gut-skin connection".

When a pet’s gut microbiome is unbalanced—often due to highly processed diets filled with fillers and artificial additives—inflammation spreads throughout the body. This systemic inflammation weakens the skin’s barrier, making it more susceptible to environmental allergens.

• The Filler Problem: Many commercial pet foods contain up to 50% carbohydrates and fillers. These ingredients can cause inflammation, essentially keeping your pet’s immune system on "high alert." When seasonal pollen arrives, their system overreacts, leading to severe itching.

• The ZEAL Solution: By removing common irritants like grains, corn, soy, and artificial preservatives, ZEAL recipes lower the body's overall inflammatory load, allowing the immune system to handle seasonal triggers better.

Nature’s Anti-Histamines: Functional Superfoods

At ZEAL, we don’t just remove the bad stuff; we pack our recipes with functional ingredients that actively fight inflammation and soothe the skin.

1. The Omega-3 Shield

Fatty acids are your pet’s first line of defense against itchy skin.

• Salmon Oil & Krill Meal: Our recipes are rich in EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids derived from Salmon Oil (and Krill Meal in cat formulas). These nutrients help balance the body’s inflammatory response, reducing redness and itching while promoting a soft, glossy coat that acts as a strong barrier against allergens,.

2. New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel (GLM)

Included in every ZEAL recipe, GLM is a powerhouse ingredient. While famous for joint support, its high concentration of omega-3s and anti-inflammatory compounds helps soothe systemic inflammation, providing relief for skin sensitivities alongside mobility benefits,.

3. Turmeric and Ginger

Just as you might drink ginger tea to feel better, we include Turmeric and Ginger Root in our air-dried recipes. These natural roots are well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm the immune response and soothe the digestive tract,.

Protein Rotation: Lightening the Load

Sometimes, a pet’s "allergy bucket" gets too full. If they are eating a common protein (like chicken or beef) that they are slightly sensitive to, adding seasonal pollen on top can trigger a flare-up. Switching to a novel protein can help lower their total allergen threshold.

• For Dogs: Try ZEAL Canada Air-Dried Salmon & Duck. This unique dual-protein formula is rich in skin-soothing omegas and avoids common allergens like beef and chicken. Alternatively, the Turkey Recipe offers a lean, single-source novel protein option.

• For Cats: ZEAL New Zealand Venison Wet Food is an excellent choice. Venison is a novel protein that cats rarely have allergies to, making it ideal for calming a reactive immune system. The Salmon & Turkey Air-Dried recipe is also packed with omegas for skin support.

Strengthening the Immune System

A healthy pet is a resilient pet. To ensure your companion can fight off seasonal stressors, we fortify our food with immune-boosting basics.

• Dried Yeast: Rich in B-vitamins, this ingredient supports skin health and acts as a prebiotic to foster a healthy gut microbiome.

• Hydration: For itchy pets, hydration is key to keeping skin supple. ZEAL New Zealand Wet Food provides approximately 78% moisture, hydrating the body from within to prevent dry, flaky skin,.

By feeding ZEAL, you aren't just filling a bowl; you are building your pet’s biological armor. When you nourish them with 96% meat and organs and nature’s most powerful superfoods, you help them enjoy every season itch-free.

Return the unconditional love™ by investing in their long-term comfort and health