We’re still in the depths of winter and that often means we’re still in the depths of cold season, and while a cold isn’t serious, it can still be irritating when you get one and make you feel quite rough. A cold is a fact of life for us humans, but what about our canine friends? Can they get colds too, and can they even catch a cold from us?
We thought we’d take a look.
WHAT IS A COLD?
A cold is a respiratory infection that mainly affects the nose and throat, and common symptoms include a blocked/runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, temperature and generally feeling tired and unwell. There’s no specific virus that causes the common cold, but a group of viruses that all cause similar symptoms.
CAN DOGS CATCH A COLD?
Dogs can’t get a cold in the same way that humans do, but they can pick up viruses that have similar symptoms to the human cold. They can catch them from social settings or from living in badly ventilated, or overcrowded living conditions.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR?
The symptoms are fairly similar to those we humans experience when we catch a cold; sneezing, coughing, runny nose etc, and your dog may not be as energetic as they usually are. It’s worth noting that some of the symptoms could also be a sign of allergies.
HOW TO TREAT A DOG WITH A COLD
Many dogs will get better on their own, so no treatment is needed, but there are few things you can do to make them more comfortable:
- Warm food – congestion may mean they can’t smell or taste their food as easily as normal, so warming it up will make the smell stronger, as well as making it softer and easier to eat.
- Hydration – as with us, your dog needs to stay hydrated to get better.
- Rest – having a cold may make your dog more tired, so they may not be as interested in a walk, in which case, keep walks short. They may also need to sleep a bit more.
- Hygiene – try to keep their blankets, toys, feeding bowls etc clean to get rid of germs, particularly if you have other dogs in the house.
CAN I GIVE MY DOG HUMAN COLD REMEDIES?
You should never give a dog cold remedies meant for humans as the ingredients can be harmful to dogs, including:
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
- Cough medicine
- Anything that contains Xylitol, e.g. cough sweets
- Sudafed
WHEN TO SEE A VET
Cold-like symptoms can also be a sign of other, more serious illnesses, such as canine flu or kennel cough so contact your vet if your dog shows any of the following symptoms that don’t seem to show signs of improvement:
- Trouble breathing
- A persistent cough
- Loss of interest in food
- A high temperature/shivering
- Has green/yellow/smelly discharge from the eyes or nose
- Is being sick or has diarrhoea for more than a day
HOW TO PREVENT YOUR DOG FROM GETTING A COLD
It’s always important to keep up to date with your dog’s check-ups and vaccinations, but you can also help keep them healthy by making sure they’re warm and dry, especially after being out in cold weather, and making sure their diet is balanced and healthy. It’s also worth keeping an eye on them around other dogs if there are any illnesses going around.
CAN DOGS CATCH COLDS FROM HUMANS AND VICE VERSA?
The viruses that cause colds in humans and dogs are completely different, so there’s no risk of them passing from one species to another. Other dogs in the house or immediate area can catch a cold from your dog though, so it’s a good idea to keep them away from other dogs.
WHAT ABOUT CATS?
Cats can also be affected by viruses with symptoms similar to the human cold but, as with dogs, they can’t pass it on to other species.
It’s not just colds that can affect your dog, there are other illnesses they can pick up too and while we all do whatever we can to keep our four-legged friends happy and healthy, there’s always the worry that the unexpected can happen – and with that comes the added worry of vet bills.
Our pet insurance policies are designed to give you reassurance that your pet is safe and protected, and you can tailor your policy to suit you, your pet and your budget, with a choice of optional benefits. There’s even a 10% multi-pet discount*. Give us a call or visit our website and get a free, no-strings quote that isn’t to be sniffed at.
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