Can dogs get colds
Can Dogs Get Colds or Flu?
Allow the dog to get plenty of rest
Keep daily walks at a comfortable pace and avoid excessive exercise while your dog is recovering from a cold. They might even snooze more than usual. This is normal as their body needs plenty of rest during this time.
Wash your dogs toys and blankets
Get rid of germs by cleaning the dogs toys, washing blankets and any other items the pup is constantly in contact with.
Your dog may not need treatment as many dogs simply get better on their own. If your dog has only mild dog cold symptoms, is eating and drinking as normal and still seems to have the same energy levels, its usually no need for concern and they should go back to feeling normal within a few days to a week. If it appears to be more than a mild dog cold and theyre off their food, not drinking, obviously uncomfortable and/or having difficulty breathing, you should contact your vet straight away.
If your vet suspects its something serious, theyll ask you about their dog flu or cold symptoms, do a full examination and may run some diagnostic tests to identify the cause of the problem. The recommended treatment will depend on the outcome of your vets diagnosis, but may include: antibiotics, cough suppressants and fluids. Never give your dog cold remedies for human use because these are highly dangerous.
Preventing dog flu and colds
Now you know the answer to can dogs get colds and flu, you may be wondering how you go about preventing it. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to minimise the risk of your pup getting poorly.
Keep their vaccinations up to date
Unfortunately, vaccinations wont protect your dog from everything, but it can dramatically reduce the risk of them getting certain illnesses like kennel cough. Your pups vaccinations will also protect them against parvovirus, canine distemper, leptospirosis and infectious canine hepatitis.
Clean their things regularly
Another thing you can do to prevent the spread of dog colds is to regularly wash their food and water bowls and their favourite toys. This is particularly important if they share with other dogs. Also, make sure that you change their water at least once a day.
Rest is key
On average, dogs will sleep between 12-14 hours a day. To prevent them from falling prey to certain illnesses, always make sure that theyre getting enough sleep.
Feed good quality nutrition
You know the saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and the same goes for dogs (not necessarily apples, but you get the idea). By feeding your dog a good quality diet that has all the nutrients they need, you can help to boost their immune system and prevent them getting dog colds or flu.
Look out for potential outbreaks
One of the best ways to protect your pup against dog flu is to keep an eye out for any possible outbreaks in your area.
Your local vet will usually alert you to anything of concern and will tell you if there are any further vaccines required, if there are certain areas you should avoid and if your dog should be kept inside for a period of time.
Do Dogs Get Colds?
Reviewed and updated for accuracy on January 15, 2020, by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the United States, there are millions of cases of the common cold in people.
The CDC states that adults have an average of 2-3 colds per year, and children have even more.
Human colds are so common that its natural to wonder whether dogs can catch colds too. And if so, can dogs catch human colds?
Heres everything you need to know about dog colds and what you can do to keep your dog healthy.
Can Dogs Catch a Cold?
The short answer is yes, dogs do catch colds, and they are very similar to our colds in terms of the symptoms they experience.
Dog Cold Symptoms
Many virusesand even a few bacterial speciesthat infect dogs (e.g., canine respiratory coronavirus, canine adenovirus type 2, canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica) cause clinical signs in dogs that are almost indistinguishable from those seen in people who are suffering from colds:
Runny nose
Congestion
Watery eyes
Sore throat
Coughing
Sneezing
Headaches
Body aches
Feeling off
The main difference between our colds and theirs is that different infectious agents are generally involved when a dog gets sick.
Can Dogs Catch Human Colds?
The CDC states that for people, many different respiratory viruses can result in the common cold. But lucky for your dog, the viruses that cause colds in people are generally species-specific.
That means that these viruses are virtually incapable of causing illness in dogs, except, perhaps, under the rarest of circumstances (for example with large doses of certain types of parainfluenza).
So the answer to whether or not dogs can catch colds from humans is almost always no.
Can Dogs Catch the Flu From Humans?
Dogs do get the flu, but it is usually caused by specific canine influenza viruses, similar to the situation with colds.
However, reports have been published where humans and dogs were infected with some of the same types of influenza viruses. Previously, we did not think dogs could come down with the human flu.
Were constantly learning more about human and canine viruses. In the meantime, practice common sense hygiene like washing your hands frequently when either you or your dog is sick.
How to Treat a Dog With a Cold
If your dog is showing signs of having a cold, we need to assess just how bad they feel.
If your dog is still eating and drinking and stays relatively active, its reasonable to try to ease their symptoms by using home remedies.
Encourage your dog to rest, drink, and eat so his immune system has the resources to fight off the infection. If necessary, wipe your dogs eyes and nose with a warm, damp cloth to keep him comfortable.
To help ease your dogs congestion, use a humidifier or keep your dog in the bathroom while you run a hot shower.
Do not give your dog over-the-counter cold remedies for humans without first consulting your veterinarianthey are dangerous when given to dogs.
When to Contact Your Veterinarian About Your Dogs Cold
Its time to make an appointment with your veterinarian if your dog:
Is not eating and drinking well
Appears to be uncomfortable
Has difficulty breathing
Has symptoms that arent greatly improved within a week or so
The doctor can then rule out other causes for your dogs congestion, sneezing, coughing, etc. These might include pneumonia, nasal foreign bodies, inhaled irritants or allergens, tumors, nasal mites, and fungal infections.
If your veterinarian does diagnose your dog with the equivalent of a cold, they might prescribe antibiotics (only if a bacterial cause is likely), cough suppressants, decongestants, or anti-inflammatories to make your dog feel better and hopefully speed up their recovery.
Finally, dogs who are congested, sneezing, and coughing are often contagious to other dogs. If your dog has these symptoms, keep them away from other dogs to help prevent the spread of disease.
Resources
Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Accessed 10/20/2016
Featured Image: iStock.com/marcoventuriniautieri
Can Dogs Catch the Common Cold?
With the common cold being so widespread in humans, you may be wondering if dogs with a runny nose might have a cold too. You may even be worried about passing cold germs to your beloved dog when youre feeling under the weather.
While dogs cant get the common cold, there are plenty of germs that cause cold- and flu-like symptoms in dogs.
When mild, many canine respiratory diseases will go away on their own, but its important for pet parents to know the symptoms and prevent the spread of doggie germs.
Can Dogs Become Sick With the Common Cold?
Dogs can get sick with a runny nose and a cough, which we might think of as a dog cold.
However, it's not the same common cold humans get. Just like in humans, upper respiratory issues in dogs aren't caused by one particular bug but by many different viruses and bacteria, sometimes working together.
Common human colds are often caused by rhinoviruses. Dogs can develop cold- or flu-like symptoms from viruses and bacteria such as canine adenovirus, canine parainfluenza virus, or Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough). These are just a few of the pathogens that are part of the canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) complex, similar to the common cold in humans.
While dogs cant get the common cold, there are plenty of germs that cause cold- and flu-like symptoms in dogs.
Signs of CIRD typically last for one to two weeks, according to Dr. Jane Sykes, an infectious disease expert at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine and a member of the medical advisory board for The Vets, a mobile veterinary service.
However, in recent months there have been reports of a mystery canine respiratory illness with signs in some dogs lasting up to eight weeks.
While its possible there is a new bug, Sykes says this also could be caused by more cases of some of the usual causes. It could possibly be multiple kinds of germs working together that increase the severity of symptoms.
Sykes cautions that coughing in dogs can be caused by conditions other than just a mild cold. If a dog does not get better in a few days or is lethargic and not eating, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian, she says.
How Do Dogs Catch the Common Cold?
Dogs are most likely to pick up a bug through direct contact with an infected dog, sharing toys or bowls, or by visiting the places where an infected dog has beenespecially indoors. Some pathogens can survive in the environment for mere hours while others can survive for months.
Common places dogs can become infected with a respiratory illness-causing germ include:
Doggy daycares
Boarding facilities
Training and behavior classes
Grooming facilities
Canine sporting events, such as flyball
Dog parks
Veterinary offices and hospitals
Sykes says that avoiding these places altogether isn't necessary. However, there are some precautions pet parents can take, such as keeping ill pets home and keeping new dogs separated from other pets for two weeks. Above all, dogs should be kept up to date on their vaccines.
If you suspect your dog has an upper respiratory infection, let veterinary staff know at the time of scheduling and mention any high-risk environments they might have visited. This allows the veterinary team to take precautions against further spread, Sykes explains.
Can Dogs Get Human Illnesses?
It is improbable that a dog would catch a cold from a human, says Dr. David Israel, DVM, medical director of Veterinary Emergency Group in Denver, Colorado. He explains that the viruses and bacteria responsible for human colds typically don't affect dogs, and vice versa.
There have been rare reports of dogs testing positive for COVID-19, but this usually leads to very mild or no symptoms, he adds.
However, there is the chance that respiratory viruses can mutate, changing the species they affect and the severity of the illness. To prevent potential complications, Israel recommends calling your vet at the first sign of cold-like symptoms in dogs.
Cold Symptoms in Dogs
Some upper respiratory infections in dogs come with few or even no symptoms. For instance, Israel says dogs with kennel cough tend to cough but otherwise look and feel healthy.
Other common signs associated with CIRD include:
Upper respiratory infections can progress into life-threatening pneumonia, especially in young, immunocompromised, or senior dogs, or those infected with multiple pathogens. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs like English Bulldogs and Pugs are particularly vulnerable to severe respiratory infections because of their already narrow airways, Israel adds.
How Common Colds in Dogs Are Diagnosed
Figuring out the exact cause of most canine respiratory diseases can be challenging, just as it is with the common cold in people. The signs and symptoms of CIRD are often nonspecific and may overlap with other illnesses, such as allergies, heart disease, or cancer. Therefore, pet parents and veterinarians cant diagnose an illness based solely on cold- or flu-like symptoms.
If medical attention is needed, a veterinarian can take samples for identification of the pathogen and perform other diagnostic tests to rule out underlying disease or illness.
Treatment of the Common Cold in Dogs
Fortunately, many upper respiratory infections in dogs are self-limitingmeaning they typically heal on their own without medication. However, its important to watch your dog's symptoms and seek immediate veterinary care if signs continue or worsen, especially if your dog has a lack of energy or stops eating.
Above all, dogs should be kept up to date on their vaccines.
Treatment for canine respiratory infections depends on the severity of the symptoms and the underlying germs, explains Israel.
Severe cases may require hospitalization with IV fluids, oxygen therapy, and antibiotics if the pathogen is bacterial, such as in the case of kennel cough.
Prevention of the Common Cold in Dogs
Israel and Sykes emphasize the importance of maintaining your dog's vaccination schedule, especially if they frequently mingle with other pups.
"Have your dog vaccinated for all the causes of respiratory illness that we have vaccines for, Sykes recommends. Protection against one bug can help to reduce the severity of illness when other viruses and bacteria are also present.
To reduce the spread of infectious pathogens, keep your dog home if they show cold-like symptoms. If youve recently brought home a new puppy or adult dog, keep them separated from other pets for two weeks to ensure theyre healthy enough to socialize. Lastly, avoid sharing toys or bowls with pups youre not familiar with.
When To Call Your Vet
Should you notice any signs of a respiratory infection, such as sneezing, coughing, unusual discharge from their eyes, or a runny nose, keep your dog home and away from other pups. Call your veterinarian to figure out if they should be seen for an exam.
If your dog's symptoms continue or show signs of worsening, especially lack of appetite, lethargy, or difficulty breathing, seek immediate veterinary care.
Featured Image:VioletaStoimenova/E+ via Getty Images
WRITTEN BY
Janelle Leeson
Freelance Writer
