Did you know that dogs can catch colds?! While the temperatures remain low and ‘the sniffles’ become commonplace, find out how tell if your dog is also experiencing a cold.
What Causes Dogs To Get Colds?
There isn’t just one type of virus that causes colds in humans. Instead, there are a number of viruses which are grouped together because they all cause the typical cold-like symptoms.
The same holds true for dogs. They can be infected by several different cold-causing viruses, some of which can be more severe than others – meaning any cold symptoms in dogs should be tended-to with more diligence than you may treat your own.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Dog With A Cold?
The symptoms your dog might experience if he/she has a cold are similar to those humans endure when we have cold viruses. Common cold symptoms in dogs include:
Runny Or Stuffy Nose
Watery Eyes
Sneezing
Coughing
Lethargy
Poor Appetite
While these signs can indicate a common dog cold, they could also be symptoms of a much more serious condition. Bordetella (kennel cough), influenza, bronchitis, and canine distemper all present very similar symptoms. Therefore, it is important that you
take your dog to the vet to be checked out if they are showing any cold-like symptoms.
Can My Dog Catch My Cold
Your dog cannot catch your cold – or vice versa - these viruses tend to be species-specific. If there are other dogs in your household however, your sick pup could pass the virus onto them.
There is a very small possibility that your dog could catch the flu from you. Recently, doctors have discovered that some strains of the flu are ‘zoonotic’ and can be passed from humans to dogs. This scenario is highly unlikely though!
Uh Oh - My Dog Has A Cold! Now What?
The first step to take if you dog is showing signs of a cold is to
book an appointment with your veterinarian. During this visit, your pet will be thoroughly examined to ensure there is not a more serious cause of their cold symptoms.
Once your dog has been professionally diagnosed with a common cold, you will want to treat it the same way you’d treat your own. Make sure they get enough rest, food, and water. We also recommend wiping your dog’s eyes and nose with a warm, wet cloth to keep them clear and comfortable.
Humidified air is also helpful to help clear up their snuffy noses and aid breathing. So if you have a humidifier, make sure to plug it in the room your dog spends the most time in, or keep your dog in the bathroom with you when you’re bathing or showering.
Contact your veterinarian at any point if you notice your pup doing any of the following:
Not Eating Or Drinking Well
Experiencing Breathing Problems
Not Showing Signs Of Improvement After A Week Of Rest
In this situation, further examination or medication may be required to help your dog get back to full health again.
Speaking of medication, never give your dog human cold medication – this is incredibly toxic to dogs!
How To Prevent Dogs From Catching A Cold
Unfortunately, there is no full-proof way of preventing your dog from catching a common cold virus. But there are a few steps you can take to reduce their risks, especially during these cold weather months when germs are spread more rapidly:
Help your dog’s immune system stay strong and healthy by feeding them nutritious foods and making sure they get enough exercise. Try to minimize the time they spend outside in the cold weather as this can lower their ability to fight-off viral infections.
Wash your hands frequently if you have been around other unknown dogs.
Keep other sick animals in your household away from your dog.
Stay informed about any local disease outbreaks among pets in your community. Try to avoid places where lots of other dogs will be present (e.g., dog parks) if an outbreak has been reported.
Ensure your dog is up to date on their
vaccinations for the more serious causes of cold symptoms, such as Bordetella, Distemper, and Canine Influenza.
