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Claims data from per insurer PD Insurance shows allergic reaction claims rose by about 182 per cent from winter to spring in 2025, with almost three times as many claims recorded in spring as in winter.
Chair of veterinary organisation Healthy Pets NZ, Dr Hayley Hunt, says dogs tend to be more susceptible to seasonal allergies than cats because they generally spend more time outdoors and are exposed to a wider range of environments.
Environmental allergens can cause reactions similar to hay fever in humans, but identifying the trigger is not always straightforward.
“The challenge is that there isn’t always one obvious cause,” Hunt says. “There can be multiple allergens, and they can change with time and exposure.”
Symptoms can include itching, rashes, swelling of the skin or face, sneezing, inflamed paws, vomiting, lethargy, excessive licking and eye discharge. More serious reactions can cause difficulty breathing and require urgent veterinary attention.
Possible triggers include pollen, grasses and plants, mould, dust, insect bites and stings, parasites and secondary bacterial or yeast infections.
PD Insurance says claims during 2025 included reactions linked to bee and other insect stings, spider bites, bluebottle stings and contact with plants including Tradescantia, commonly known as wandering jew.
Hunt recommends owners who notice recurring problems keep an “itch diary”, recording where their pet has been, what it has been doing and when symptoms appear.
Photographs can also help, particularly when swelling, rashes or other signs disappear before a veterinary appointment.
The aim is not for owners to diagnose the allergy themselves, but to give their vet more information to help identify patterns and possible causes.
Bedding, shampoos and diet can also contribute to irritation, while dust, pollen and mould can build up in areas where pets sleep.
PD Insurance chief operating officer Michelle Le Long says allergies have been among the 10 most frequent claim types for dogs in recent years, with some breeds, including terriers, retrievers and bulldogs, particularly prone to them.
Some dogs require long-term treatment, which may include medicated washes, topical treatments, tablets or regular injections.
Where a trigger is known, reducing exposure can help.
Le Long says her own bulldog reacts strongly to kikuyu grass, which she tries to avoid.
For owners, the key is to watch for changes, record recurring symptoms and seek veterinary advice when reactions persist or become severe.
