Every year when the Fall knocks on our door so does the common cold and flu. With almost everyone having the sniffles, it’s easy to wonder if we can pass it on to our pets.
Can dogs get colds? The answer is yes. But not from us humans.
Dogs and cats can get infections of many kinds. Some of them are harmless but some can be a sign of a more serious disease.
But viruses from dogs don’t attack humans and vice versa, so there is almost no chance that your dog will catch a cold from you.
Keep reading and learn all about the symptoms of a dog cold, what is kennel cough and when you need to visit the vet.
What is a dog cold?
The word cold is used to label a variety of viruses. Because the symptoms of all these viruses are similar, they are all grouped together.
The most often symptoms of a cold are fever, sore throat, runny nose and weakness.
These rules apply to a dog cold as multiple viruses can cause cold symptoms in dogs.
Dog colds can be mild or severe, so it’s important to treat your sick dog with a bit more precaution than you’d treat yourself if you got a common cold.
Sometimes your dog can show symptoms of a cold but end up with a disease like kennel cough, so it’s really important to call your vet as soon as you notice that your dog might be getting sick.
What are the symptoms of a dog cold?
When sick, dogs can start acting odd and it is very likely that you will pick up that something’s not right. If you notice any of the below-mentioned symptoms, contact your local vet because it might indicate more than just a dog cold.
– Runny nose
– Congested nose
– Watery eyes
– Sneezing
– Coughing
– Tiredness
– Vomiting
– Diarrhoea
– No appetite
As we said, these symptoms can mean that your dog caught a cold but they can also indicate something more serious like dog influenza, kennel cough, bronchitis or parainfluenza virus.
If your dog shows some of these symptoms, the best option is to call your vet and consult with them.
