Why Is My Dog Scratching More in Spring? Pollen, Paw Licking & Itchy Skin in Australia
By VeraPaws Editorial Team·11 min read
Quick Answer
Some dogs experience seasonal skin changes in spring, often linked to environmental allergens such as grasses and pollens. Common signs include scratching, licking or chewing at the paws, face rubbing, red or irritated skin, itchy ears or head shaking, and skin that looks dry or flaky.
These signs don’t automatically mean pollen is the cause. A few different things can cause them, so a persistent or worsening pattern is worth a vet check.
Collagen is nutritional support for normal skin and coat health. It is not an allergy or itch treatment.
Key Takeaways
More scratching, paw licking or chewing in spring is common in Australian dogs, often linked to grass and pollen, though not always.
Watch for red or irritated skin, dry or flaky patches, itchy ears and head shaking.
Pollen timing varies a lot by state and region. There is no single “Australian pollen season.”
A simple, consistent spring routine (clean paws, current flea control, regular checks) supports comfort day to day.
Collagen is nutritional support for skin and coat, not a treatment for allergies or itching.
Persistent, worsening or spreading skin irritation should always be assessed by a vet.
Where These Signs Come From
The seasonal skin signs in this guide, itchy or irritated skin, paw licking or chewing, scratching, itchy ears and head shaking, reflect published guidance from RSPCA NSW on seasonal allergies in pets, which notes that pollen exposure is only one possible cause and recommends veterinary assessment rather than assuming pollen is to blame.
Source: RSPCA NSW, “Seasonal Allergies in Pets.”
Why Is My Dog Scratching More in Spring?
Spring means longer walks, greener parks and more time outside with your dog. But for some Australian dog owners, it’s also when familiar changes start showing up: more scratching, more paw licking, chewing at the feet, red skin, or ears that seem more irritated than usual.
It’s tempting to assume this means pollen allergy, but itching and paw licking can have a few different causes. According to RSPCA NSW, pets often show seasonal allergies through the skin, with itching and excessive paw, tummy and leg licking among the signs. Spring simply brings more contact with grasses, flowering plants and other outdoor triggers on walks and in the yard, which is why these patterns are so common this time of year.
If your dog’s scratching or paw licking is new, worsening, or not settling down, a veterinary check is the right next step to work out what’s actually going on.
Why Is My Dog Licking or Chewing Their Paws?
Paw licking and chewing is one of the most common spring complaints Australian dog owners notice, and it makes sense. Paws are in direct contact with grass, soil, seed heads and whatever pollen has settled on the ground during a walk.
RSPCA NSW’s guidance on seasonal allergies notes that affected pets often lick excessively at their paws, tummy and legs, alongside scratching, chewing and biting at the skin. If your dog is licking their paws after walks on grass, or chewing at their feet more than usual, it’s worth a closer look rather than assuming it’ll pass on its own.
A quick paw check after each walk, looking between the toes and pads, is a simple habit that helps you notice change early, whatever the underlying cause turns out to be.
Red Paws, Dry Skin and Flaking: What Should You Watch For?
Skin changes are usually easier to spot than the itching that causes them. Keep an eye out for:
Red or pink tinged paws, especially between the toes
Skin that looks dry, flaky or slightly irritated
Small areas of rash or redness on the belly, underarms or legs
Patches your dog keeps returning to lick or chew
RSPCA NSW’s spring reminders note that feet, underarms and bellies are common areas for owners to notice irritation during spring, with licking, scratching, redness and rashes among the signs to watch for. These are worth noticing, but they’re not a diagnosis on their own. Red or flaky skin can have several causes beyond pollen, including fleas, irritants, or skin conditions unrelated to the season.
If redness or flaking is spreading, doesn’t settle, or your dog seems uncomfortable, that’s a sign to get it checked rather than wait it out.
Can Spring Allergies Affect a Dog’s Ears?
Yes, ears are a common but easy to miss part of the picture. RSPCA NSW notes that itchy ears, scratching at the ears, and head shaking are commonly seen alongside skin signs, and that ear infections can develop in affected pets.
If your dog is shaking their head more than usual, scratching at their ears, or you notice odour, redness or discharge, it’s worth a vet visit. Ear infections rarely clear up by themselves, and they’re usually easier to treat early than once they’ve taken hold.
Pollen Season Is Different Across Australia
One thing worth understanding is that there’s no single “Australian pollen season.” Australia’s states and regions have quite different climates, rainfall patterns and plant life, so grass and pollen timing varies significantly depending on where you live.
The regional notes below come from pollen monitoring services, describing pollen conditions and timing, not veterinary evidence about dogs. They’re useful for understanding when outdoor exposure may be higher in your area, one piece of the picture alongside the skin and ear signs already covered.
Victoria
Victoria entered spring after a wet, unusually warm winter, with stronger green growth across many western, northern and central areas.
That could support a more active grass pollen season than last year in some regions.
Typical grass pollen period: October to December
Source: Melbourne Pollen, 2026
New South Wales
The Riverina entered spring with wetter soils and stronger vegetation growth than last year, creating conditions that could support a larger grass pollen season.
Typical pattern: Spring into early summer, depending on region
Source: Sydney Pollen, 2026
Western Australia
Perth and the south west typically see stronger grass pollen activity through spring and early summer.
Rainfall, temperature and wind can all affect how strong each season becomes.
Typical grass pollen period: October to December
Source: Perth Pollen
Queensland
Queensland’s subtropical climate means pollen activity can extend beyond the traditional southern spring window.
Timing can vary considerably by location and grass species.
Typical pattern: Longer season, often extending into summer
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SPRING 2026 LOCAL OUTLOOK
Victoria and NSW (Riverina): Both entered spring wetter than last year, which could mean a more active grass pollen season. Gippsland and the south east tend to stay drier, and the Riverina’s outlook still depends on moisture holding through to flowering.
WA (Perth): Grass pollen typically peaks October–December, varying yearly with rainfall, temperature and wind.
QLD: There’s no specific 2026 forecast yet. Queensland’s longer, subtropical pattern makes timing harder to generalise across the state.
These are environmental outlooks from pollen monitoring services, not veterinary forecasts. None of it is guaranteed.
A Simple Spring Routine for Dogs With Sensitive Skin
A consistent, simple routine is one of the most practical things you can do this spring, not because it prevents anything, but because it helps you notice change early and keeps your dog comfortable day to day.
Spring Routine Checklist
Check paws after every walk, look between the toes and pads for redness, debris or grass seeds
Keep coat and paws clean, especially after time in long grass
Keep flea control current
Monitor ears for odour, redness, discharge or head shaking
Keep feeding and grooming routines consistent
Note when and where scratching increases, in case your vet needs the detail
Can You Get Your Dog’s Routine Ready Before Spring Peaks?
Some owners like to have grooming, flea control and nutritional routines already in place before the local pollen season picks up. It won’t prevent seasonal allergies. It just means the daily routine stays consistent as the season changes.
If you’re not sure what a sensible daily routine looks like for your dog, our guide to Choose the Right VeraPaws Collagen Routine walks through how owners typically choose between VeraPaws’ formulas.
Where Does Collagen Fit Into a Skin & Coat Routine?
Collagen sits on the nutritional side of a skin and coat routine, not the treatment side. The APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority) draws a line between general nutritional messages, like supporting normal, healthy skin and a glossy coat, and therapeutic claims, which include treating, reducing or preventing conditions such as itchiness (pruritus) or allergies. Those are two different things, and it matters which one a product is actually claiming.
In practical terms, that means collagen is best understood as part of a normal daily nutritional routine, not something that treats, reduces or prevents allergic itching. VeraPaws Skin & Coat Collagen is formulated with hydrolysed collagen peptides, MSM and biotin, and is served according to VeraPaws’ weight based serving guide, as nutritional support for your dog’s everyday skin and coat health.
Most spring skin and ear changes are worth mentioning to your vet, especially if:
Scratching, licking or chewing is frequent, or getting worse
Redness, rashes or flaking are spreading or not settling
You notice ear odour, discharge, redness or persistent head shaking
Your dog seems uncomfortable, restless, or is losing sleep over it
You’re not sure what’s causing it
A vet can properly assess whether pollen, fleas, grass seeds, food or another cause is behind what you’re seeing. There’s no substitute for a proper check when a dog is uncomfortable.
What Australian Dog Owners Should Remember This Spring
Spring scratching and paw licking are common, but that doesn’t make them pollen allergy, and it doesn’t mean you should ignore them either. Watch for the signs, keep a simple routine, remember that timing varies by region, and get anything persistent checked by a vet. That’s the practical version of spring skin care for Australian dogs.
Collagen can be part of that everyday routine, as nutritional support for normal skin and coat. It’s one piece of the picture, not a fix for allergies on its own.
Spring means more time outdoors around grasses, flowering plants and other environmental triggers, which is when some dogs show seasonal skin signs like scratching. According to RSPCA NSW, pets can experience seasonal allergies mainly through the skin, but scratching can also have other causes, so it isn’t automatically pollen allergy.
Why does my dog lick their paws after walking on grass?
Paws are in direct contact with grass, pollen and seed heads on every walk, which is why paw licking is one of the most common seasonal signs owners notice. RSPCA NSW notes that affected pets often lick excessively at the paws, tummy and legs alongside scratching and chewing.
Can dogs be allergic to pollen?
Yes, some dogs can react to environmental allergens including grass and tree pollen, usually showing signs through the skin rather than sneezing the way humans often do. A vet is the right person to confirm whether pollen is actually the cause for your dog.
Can seasonal allergies affect a dog’s ears?
Yes. RSPCA NSW notes that itchy ears, scratching at the ears and head shaking are commonly seen alongside skin signs, and that ear infections can develop, so ear symptoms are worth taking seriously, not just skin ones.
When is pollen season in Australia?
There’s no single Australian pollen season. Timing varies by state and region. Melbourne’s grass pollen season, for example, is typically counted between 1 October and 31 December, while Perth’s main grass pollen period is also generally concentrated around October to December, subject to yearly variation.
Is pollen season the same across Victoria, NSW, WA and Queensland?
No. Conditions and timing differ by region, even within Victoria, western and central areas can differ from drier Gippsland. Subtropical Queensland tends to follow a longer, less sharply peaked pattern than southern states. Local outlooks should always be read as regional, not national.
Does collagen treat dog allergies?
No. Collagen is nutritional support for normal skin and coat health, it is not an allergy or itch treatment, and it isn’t intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any condition.
Should I establish my dog’s skin and coat routine before spring?
Some owners prefer to have grooming, flea control and nutritional routines already in place before the local pollen season becomes more active. This doesn’t prevent seasonal allergies. It simply keeps the daily routine consistent before seasonal changes happen.
When should an itchy dog see a vet?
If scratching, licking or chewing is frequent or worsening, skin redness or flaking is spreading, or you notice ear odour, discharge or head shaking, it’s time for a vet check. A vet can work out whether pollen, fleas, grass seeds or something else is actually behind it.
VeraPaws Skin & Coat Collagen is a daily nutritional routine, Australian grass fed hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides, wild caught hydrolysed marine collagen peptides, with MSM and biotin, mixed into your dog’s usual food. It’s not a treatment for allergies or itching, just a simple, consistent part of everyday care.
