Grooming for Allergy-Prone Pets: How to Keep Them Comfortable in the UAE?

Living in the UAE can be tough for pets with allergies. The hot, humid weather increases allergens, while dust and pollen are always in the air. Even constant air conditioning can irritate them.

If your pet suffers from allergies, they need extra grooming care. Regular grooming helps reduce allergens and keeps them comfortable. In this guide, we’ll share tips on how to look after allergy-prone pets.

Understanding Pet Allergies: What Triggers Them in the UAE

Before you start grooming for allergy-prone pets, you should know what they face in the UAE:

• Environmental allergens – Dust mites in carpets and bedding, pollen from plants during warm months, mold in damp areas, and fine desert dust can all trigger allergies.
• Contact allergens – Shampoos, grooming sprays, cleaning chemicals, or materials like certain fabrics.
• Food allergies – Poor diet can weaken a pet’s skin. This makes reactions to outside allergens worse.

Knowing what your pet is allergic to helps you choose the best grooming methods.

Signs That Grooming is Required

Your pet might have a skin problem. Look for these signs:

• Frequent scratching, biting, or licking, especially on the paws, belly, or ears
• Hair loss, with bald patches, hot spots, or scabs
• Recurring ear infections, sometimes with visible discharge
• Flaky or dandruff-covered skin that may appear very dry or cracked
• Unpleasant odor, often caused by unclean skin folds or ears
• Noticeable behavior changes, such as restlessness or difficulty getting comfortable

If these are present, consult a vet to confirm allergy and get professional advice on treatment as well as grooming.

Grooming Best Practices for Allergy-Prone Pets in the UAE

Bathing

• Use a gentle shampoo for sensitive skin.
• Do not use strong soaps or products with perfume or dye.
• Choose products that have oatmeal, aloe, or ceramides.
• Rinse your pet’s fur very well. Leftover soap can irritate the skin.
• Bathe your pet every 3 to 4 weeks.
• If allergies are bad, bathe them once a week.
• Always bathe your pet after they play outside in dirt or humid weather.

Brushing

• Brush your pet often. This removes loose fur and dander.
• Use the right brush for your pet’s coat.
• Try to brush every day. This is especially important during the shedding season or after a sandstorm.
• If you cannot brush daily, try to brush two or three times a week.

Ear Care

• Clean your pet’s ears with a gentle cleaner from your vet.
• Always keep their ears dry.
• Check their ears every week. Clean them if they look dirty.
• Do not clean them too much. This can cause irritation.
• Always dry their ears completely after a bath or swimming.

Paw & Face Care

• Wipe your pet’s paws after every walk. This removes dust, sand, and pollen.
• Trim the long fur between their paw pads. This stops dirt from getting stuck.
• For some breeds, wipe around their eyes and face folds. This prevents buildup.

Coat Trimming & Maintenance

• Keep your pet’s coat free of mats. Mats can trap allergens and bacteria.
• A shorter haircut can make grooming easier. It can also hold fewer allergens.
• Pets with long or thick coats often need a professional groomer. They should go every 4 to 6 weeks.

Drying & Tool Hygiene

• Dry your pet completely after a bath. This prevents skin irritation.
• First use a clean towel to dry them.
• You can use a blow dryer on a low heat setting if you need to.
• Always keep your grooming tools and towels clean. This stops allergens from building up.

Environmental & Routine Changes That Support Grooming

Grooming is not enough. Change your pet’s environment and routine too. This makes grooming work better:

1. Improve Indoor Air Quality – A clean indoor environment helps your pet breathe easier. Fit HEPA filters in your AC and clean or replace them often. On high-pollen days, keep windows closed, and consider adding an air purifier to reduce airborne allergens.
2. Keep Textiles Fresh – Wash your pet’s bedding, blankets, and even your own sheets in hot water (60°C, if the fabric allows) once a week. Use dust-mite-proof covers on beds and pillows. Whenever possible, opt for washable rugs or avoid carpets entirely — they can trap dust and allergens.
3. Stay on Top of Vacuuming & Dusting – Allergens love to hide in soft furnishings. Vacuum carpets, curtains, and furniture regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. For dusting, stick to microfiber cloths, which lock in particles instead of spreading them.
4. Support Skin Health Through Diet & Vet Care – A strong skin barrier helps your pet resist allergens. Choose a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein. If you suspect food allergies, your vet may suggest an allergy test or a specially formulated diet. Good nutrition keeps your pet’s skin healthy and less reactive.
5. Adjust Care for the Seasons – In the UAE, sandstorms, humidity, and high pollen levels can increase allergen exposure. After outdoor play or during dusty winds, bathe or brush your pet more often, and tweak your grooming routine to match seasonal changes.

Choosing Grooming Products & Services in the UAE

When picking shampoos, tools, or salons, here is what to check:

• Product labels – Look for labels like “hypoallergenic,” “fragrance-free,” “for sensitive skin,” or “sterilized.” Always check the ingredients and avoid strong perfumes, alcohol, or sulfates if your pet has sensitive skin.
• Quality grooming tools – Use brushes with smooth pins and non rust metal. Choose good quality blades for trimming, clean your tools to avoid spreading germs.
• Experienced groomers – Look for groomers who have experience working with pets that suffer from allergies. Ask if they use separate tools for each pet and make sure their workspace is clean and well maintained. Check whether they’re open to special requests, such as using a specific shampoo or giving your pet a shorter trim to reduce irritation.
• Hygienic environment – Choose grooming salons with good ventilation and make sure they’re thoroughly cleaned between pets. Avoid places that use strong fragrances or cleaning products. If salons make your pet anxious or expose them to too many allergens, consider mobile grooming services or at-home grooming as a gentler alternative.

Sample Weekly Grooming Schedule for an Allergy-Prone Pet in the UAE

Here’s a sample you can adapt:

Adjust frequency up or down depending on breed, coat length, symptom severity, season and outdoor exposure.

Local Example

To illustrate impact, here’s a situation based on reports in the UAE:

A dog in Abu Dhabi struggled with seasonal allergies, showing signs like itchy ears, irritated paws, and heavy shedding after walks in dusty weather. The owner decided to make a few changes: brushing the dog twice a week, switching to a gentle sensitive-skin shampoo, wiping its paws after every walk, cleaning AC filters monthly, and using a HEPA air purifier. Within two months, the dog’s scratching and ear issues improved by 60–70%, and vet visits became far less frequent. Both pets and owners enjoyed better sleep and peace of mind, according to local vets and groomers.

Such results are typical when grooming + environment + diet are aligned.

Also Read – Pet Grooming: Technology Transforming Pet Care

When Grooming Isn’t Enough: Vet Intervention & Allergy Testing

If your pet’s symptoms continue even with good grooming, see a vet. Signs include cracked skin, repeat infections, bad itching, or hair loss. The vet may suggest:

• Allergy testing – Skin or blood tests to find specific allergens.
• Prescription treatments – Medicated shampoos or creams (like steroids or antifungals).
• Medications – Pills or shots to control flare ups (like antihistamines).
• Immunotherapy – Custom allergy shots or drops (less common but sometimes used).

Key Takeaways

Regular grooming is one of the best ways to reduce your pet’s allergies. Bathing, brushing, and cleaning their ears and paws help remove allergens and keep them comfortable. For professional care, visit The Groomers, Abu Dhabi’s trusted pet salon — our team is skilled in gentle, allergy-friendly techniques.

At home, choose hypoallergenic products, keep your grooming area and living space clean, and maintain good air quality. Wash your pet’s bedding regularly, and provide a healthy diet to support strong skin. Be mindful of seasonal changes and adjust your pet’s grooming routine as needed.

If itching or infections persist, consult your veterinarian. With the right care, you can help your pet stay happy, comfortable, and healthy in the UAE.