Can Dogs Catch Colds?

Can Dogs Catch Colds?

Have you ever wondered if your furry companion can catch a cold, just like we do? The common cold is a widespread ailment among humans, but what about our canine friends?

Dogs can catch colds, but they don’t usually experience them in the same way as people do. In addition, dogs can’t catch colds from people and neither can humans be infected by canine colds.

Simply put a canine cold is usually associated with an upper respiratory infection which produces similar symptoms to those that people experience when they contract a nasty cold.

• Congestion and discharge from the nasal passages.
• Mild coughing.
• Runny eyes.
• Sneezing.
• Low-level fever.
• Lethargy.
• Lack of appetite.

Symptoms are not usually severe and most dogs will recover after a few days. It is important to keep your dog warm and dry. Cold weather conditions can make bronchial tubes constrict which will make the dog feel more congested.

If your dog has a loss of appetite you could try tempting them with some boiled chicken and brown rice. This will help strengthen the immune system and generally make the dog feel more comfortable. It is also essential the dog is kept hydrated with plenty of fluids.  You could try  tempting your pooch with some lovely bone broth if they are reluctant to eat, or drink.

If your dog’s symptoms appear more severe, it is important to seek veterinary attention. Cold type symptoms could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Puppies and geriatric dogs are more at risk and intervention should be prompt.

If your dog’s cold symptoms worsen, it is possible to treat the dog with antibiotics. However, these will be ineffective against possible viral conditions.

Some other more serious conditions affecting dogs can sometimes manifest themselves in the same way a cold would. Therefore, it is important to monitor your dog carefully. For some infections, your dog may be able to fight them of themselves. Others may develop into more serious illnesses without appropriate intervention.

Parainfluenza is one of the more common illnesses that have symptoms similar to the canine cold.

Kennel Cough.

This is caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and symptoms are similar to the common cold. Symptoms include a chronic cough, as well as discharge from the eyes and nose.

Dogs usually recover from kennel cough, unless they are already weak, or their immune system has been compromised. Although dogs can be vaccinated for kennel cough, the vaccine does not protect the dog from all strains of the disease.

This is a very contagious canine disease. Distemper can be very serious and the outcome is often fatal. Dogs can be vaccinated for this disease.

While dogs can indeed catch colds, they are usually mild and most dogs can cope with the symptoms well. However, it is always important to monitor your dog if he, or she, has cold symptoms.

Seek advice from your vet if your dog deteriorates in any way. Never give your dog cold remedies which are meant for humans – these could be highly toxic to dogs.

N.B – This article is for information purposes only. All matters relating to your dog’s health should be referred to a qualified veterinarian.