Can Dogs Get Colds? Symptoms and Treatment of Dog Colds

As the cold and flu season approaches, and the sniffles begin, you may start to wonder how this will affect your pooch. But can dogs get a cold? Can dogs get the human common cold virus?

We’ve put together this handy guide to explain whether dogs can get colds, cold symptoms in dogs, when to contact your vet and how to help your dog recover, so you’re prepared for the next bout of snuffles.

Can Dogs Catch a Cold?

Can dogs get the cold or flu? Now, the term ‘cold’ covers a whole host of viruses that cause similar symptoms. Because the symptoms look similar, many owners refer to these illnesses as “dog colds”.

The reality is that dogs cannot catch the exact viruses that cause the common cold in humans, as human cold viruses infect people rather than dogs. However, dogs can suffer from several viruses that cause cold-like symptoms like sneezing and congestion. Some are more serious than others, like kennel cough, influenza virus (dog flu), canine parainfluenza virus, bronchitis, or canine distemper.

Can Puppies Get Colds?

Puppies can develop respiratory infections and are often more vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing.

If a puppy develops cold-like symptoms, it's best to seek veterinary advice promptly, as they can deteriorate more quickly than adult dogs.

What are Dog Cold Symptoms?

Symptoms that your dog is suffering from a cold include:

• A runny or congested nose
• Sneezing or snuffling
• Slightly sticky or watery eyes
• Mild cough
• Tiredness
• Lack of appetite or fussiness with food
• Napping more and having less energy
• Laboured or noisy breathing caused by congestion
• A hoarse bark, or one that sounds quieter or “different”

Symptoms that require veterinary attention:

• Difficulty breathing
• Blue or pale gums
• Refusing food
• Persistent coughing
• Fever
• Severe lethargy
• Thick green discharge from the nose

How Long Does a Dog Cold Last?

Most mild respiratory infections in dogs, causing cold-like symptoms, usually improve within 5 to 10 days. Recovery may take longer in puppies, senior dogs and dogs with underlying health conditions.

If symptoms worsen or fail to improve after several days, contact your vet.

Can Dogs Get Colds from Humans?

If you’re wondering, ‘Can a dog get a cold from a person?’, the answer is no, dogs can’t catch the same colds and flu that humans do. This is because the virus that causes a human cold is specific to humans. If you have a standard human cold, it’s very unlikely your dog will catch that same cold from you. Likewise, people are unlikely to catch viruses that cause dog colds.

While the symptoms may seem similar, dogs can develop symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and a runny nose. They're likely caused by viruses specific to dogs and no threat to their human companions. So if you get a sniffle, it may not be a full-on cold, but your dog can suffer cold-like symptoms. Good hygiene is still sensible if you’re ill, and you should avoid sharing food or allowing excessive licking if you have flu-like symptoms.

It’s not common for the viruses that cause colds in humans to spread to dogs and vice versa. You’re unlikely to suffer from the viruses that cause your dog’s cold. But other animals will, so to stop it spreading, keep your contagious dog separate from other pets until they've fully recovered. To protect other animals, keep a dog with cold symptoms away from other pets until they’ve fully recovered, as dog colds can spread easily between dogs.

Does My Dog Need to See a Vet?

Some pet colds can be cared for at home and will go away on their own, but others may need veterinary treatment. Dog cold symptoms can be a sign of a more serious condition, so it’s best to speak to your vet. Bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections can cause cold-like symptoms and can lead to lung tissue damage and pneumonia.

You should contact your vet urgently if your dog:

• Is struggling to breathe or breathing very fast
• Stops eating or drinking
• Becomes extremely lethargic or collapses
• Seems to be in pain, very distressed, or has a high temperature

Your vet will carry out a physical examination of your dog and listen to their heart and lungs. They may need to run some diagnostic tests to rule out any more serious conditions. This may include x-rays, poop analysis, and bloodwork. If your dog does have an infection, they’ll need rest, a course of antibiotics, cough suppressants, and fluids to get them over the worst.

Dog Cold Treatment

Once the vet has given your dog the all-clear from other conditions, here’s what you can do to help your dog when it’s suffering from a simple cold virus:

• Give them plenty of fresh water to keep them hydrated.
• Keep their eyes and nose clear by wiping off any discharge.
• Let your dog rest as much as possible.
• Give them warm, humid air to help with congestion. This can be done using a humidifier or letting them in the bathroom while you have a nice hot shower.
• Separate sick pets from healthy ones to prevent them from catching a cold, too.
• Wash their toys, bedding and bowls regularly to stop germs from spreading.

Never give your pet over-the-counter medications without talking to your vet first, as they may do more harm than good.

Getting some fresh air can be beneficial when feeling under the weather. Continue to walk your dog if they seem up to it, but make sure it’s just a short, quiet walk. Strenuous exercise will put extra strain on their respiratory tract, which will already be inflamed. For some dogs, spending some time in the garden will be enough.

What is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough, also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is a highly infectious respiratory disease. It’s most commonly passed around in kennels, but it can be caught in other places, too. Anywhere that has a large number of dogs in one place is most at risk.

Kennel cough is treatable, and most dogs recover well, but puppies and dogs with low immune systems are at risk of more serious complications.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough

Distinctive symptoms of kennel cough include:

• A dry, harsh cough that sounds similar to a goose honking
• Sneezing
• A runny nose
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• A low fever

How To Prevent Your Dog From Getting Kennel Cough

To prevent your dog from getting kennel cough, avoid any dog that you know to be contagious and make sure they’re up to date with their kennel cough booster vaccination, especially if visiting somewhere like a kennel.

Most kennels ask that your dog be vaccinated against kennel cough before they’re allowed to stay. And ideally, the vaccination should be given a couple of weeks before they’re due to stay, so you’ll need to do a bit of advanced planning if this is the case.

How Does a Dog Catch a Cold?

Colds typically spread through direct contact with an infected dog, sharing toys or bowls, or by visiting a place where an infected dog has been. Viruses and bacteria that cause dog colds can spread by:

• Sniffing or licking another dog with a cold
• Sharing water bowls, food bowls or toys
• Being in the same enclosed space as a coughing or sneezing dog

Some germs can live in the environment for months! Dogs catch colds in places like kennels, doggy daycares, the groomers, dog parks, training, or behaviour classes, or even visiting a friend’s house. So, if you know an infected dog has been somewhere, avoid taking your dog there if possible.

How Can I Prevent My Dog from Getting a Cold?

Unfortunately, there’s no prevention from the common cold because there are so many viruses that could be the cause. However, there are a few things to do to help protect your pup:

• Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date - there are vaccines for kennel cough, distemper, and canine influenza viruses to help protect your dog from these conditions.
• Keep your dog away from other sick animals and stay in the know about any current outbreaks. That way you can avoid taking your dog to areas where there may be lots of other dogs that may be contagious.
• Regularly wash all your dog’s toys, bowls, and bedding - to prevent the spread of germs.

Dogs can suffer from cold and flu viruses, but they’re unlikely to suffer from the same ones as we do. Cold symptoms in dogs are like those in humans, with sneezing, coughing, lethargy, and a runny nose being very common.

In some cases, your dog will recover from a cold without needing any veterinary treatment. Plenty of rest, fluids and a warm, cosy bed will do the job. But there are some respiratory infections that will need veterinary care, so it’s best to speak to your vet if you’re unsure.

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