What to do if my dog has a cold

Can My Dog Catch a Cold?

Colds don't just make people miserable. Dogs can also experience sneezing, coughing, congestion, and other common cold symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Colds in Dogs?

You're probably already familiar with the symptoms of colds in dogs, as they're pretty much identical to the ones you experience. In addition to sneezing, coughing and nasal congestion, signs and symptoms may include watery eyes, runny nose, sore throat, and body aches. Your pet might not be as energetic as usual, which is a good thing. Rest is very important, as it helps your dog recover from the viral infection.

Can My Dog Catch a Cold from Me?

Pets and people can share some illnesses but colds usually aren't among them. Several different types of viruses can cause cold symptoms in dogs.

Is It a Cold or Something Else?

Cold-like symptoms can also occur if your pet has another viral illness, such as canine flu or kennel cough. If your coughing dog sounds a little like a honking goose, kennel cough may be the cause of the symptoms.

Kennel cough can spread quickly through animal shelters, doggy daycares, and anywhere else dogs are in close contact with each other. The illness can be severe in puppies under 6 months or dogs with immune system conditions, according to the American Kennel Club. Most dogs get better on their own, but some will require veterinary treatment. The bordetella vaccine can reduce your pet's risk of developing kennel cough.

Canine influenza may also cause many of the same symptoms as colds. The illness is very contagious. In fact, nearly all dogs exposed to it become infected, although only 80 percent show symptoms, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Symptoms of canine flu may include sneezing, runny nose, fever, and a dry or wet cough. In some cases, dogs may develop pneumonia or a secondary bacterial infection. The canine influenza vaccine can decrease your pet's risk of getting the flu.

Are you worried that your pet's cold symptoms may actually be caused by the coronavirus? Although some dogs have tested positive for the virus, the numbers are fairly low. Most dogs that were infected with the coronavirus had mild symptoms, and none were fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Other illnesses that can cause upper respiratory symptoms include fungal or bacterial infections, allergies, worms, and heart disease.

What Should I Do If My Dog Has a Cold?

Since it's not easy to tell what type of illness is causing your dog's symptoms, it's a good idea to pay a visit to the veterinarian. Your pet's veterinarian can provide a diagnosis and treatment options no matter what the cause of the symptoms.

If your dog does have a cold, a cool-mist humidifier will ease nasal congestion and soothe your pet's sore throat. Be sure to provide plenty of water to ensure that your pet stays hydrated.

When your furry friend's nose runs, use a soft, moist washcloth to remove mucus. If your pet usually accompanies you on your daily run or long walk, leave him or her at home. Over-exertion may cause your pet to feel worse or make it difficult for your dog to keep up with you.

Call the vet if your pet's symptoms worsen or don't improve after a week, or your dog isn't interested in eating or drinking. Don't wait a week to call if your pet has a chronic condition, or is a senior dog or puppy. Let the veterinarian know immediately if your pet has difficulty breathing, walking, or standing.

Are you concerned about your dog's cold symptoms? Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

American Kennel Club: Kennel Cough in Dogs - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention, 1/23/19

American Veterinary Medical Association: Canine Influenza

American Kennel Club: Can Dogs Get Colds?, 8/23/17

PetMD: Do Dogs Get Colds?, 1/15/20

Tufts University: Can You Give Your Dog Your Cold?, 4/16/19

The short answer is no. Dogs can, however, catch infections that manifest themselves in similar ways to a common human cold. Dog colds are generally referred to as Upper Respiratory Infections. The most common respiratory infection seen in dogs is called Bordatella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough).

This can cause symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, runny nose and a hacking type cough. Bordatella is transmitted by direct contact with another dog. If your dog has regular contact with other dogs or will be visiting a kennel, it is advised that they are vaccinated against Kennel Cough. Be aware that some breeds, such as pugs, chihuahuas, and French bulldogs, are more likely to suffer from respiratory conditions.

Can dogs catch human colds?

Although dogs may display human cold-like symptoms they can't actually catch the human cold virus. For this reason, it's not possible for your dog to pass on their 'dog cold' to you and your family.

Can dogs get the flu?

In the same way that dogs can't catch the human cold virus, they can't catch human flu. What they can be susceptible to is canine influenza which is virulent in the US, but we don't see it in Europe and the UK.

Canine influenza, which has symptoms of fever, lethargy, and lack of appetite, can pass from dog to dog, but not dog to human. It's important to note that if you've been in contact with an infected dog, you could pass it on to your dog, so be sure to wash your hands and change your outfit.

How to treat a dog cold

If your dog is displaying symptoms of a respiratory infection you should contact your vet, as they may need antibiotics or further treatment. Never give them human cold treatments as they could make your dog very poorly.

If you feel that your dog's symptoms are more serious, it could be that they need antibiotics or further treatment designed specifically for dogs, so please contact your vet.

How to prevent dog colds

To help boost your dog's immune system to give them the best chance of staying fit and healthy:

• Ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date
• Aim for 12-14 hours sleep every day
• Give them a healthy and nutritious diet
• Change their water and wash their things daily
• Keep them warm during walkies with a dog coat

What other cold-like dog illnesses should you be aware of?

Once a life-threatening respiratory disease, canine distemper is now rarely seen in the UK thanks to responsible owners getting their dogs vaccinated. Dogs can also suffer from hay fever-like allergies brought on by the change of the season or the environment.

If there is ever cause for concern regarding your dog's cold or flu symptoms contact your vet straight away. Or, for general advice on caring for your dog, pop into your local Pets at Home store to talk to one of our friendly pet care advisors.

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