Introduction:

Colds are a natural part of life, and you will get one no matter how hard you try to prevent it. The dogs don’t get colds from humans in the winter. If your dog is experiencing a runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes, he has a common cold. Your dog can suffer from infection with symptoms similar to a human cold. Humans catch a common cold due to a specific virus that affects only humans. So, being a pet parent, you shouldn’t be worried because dogs can’t catch common colds from humans.

Do dogs get colds?

Yes, dogs can catch colds, but it is different from human colds. Do dogs get colds like humans? It is the most commonly asked question by dog owners. Dogs suffer from cold and experience symptoms similar to humans. Do dogs get colds from humans? Keep in mind that dogs don’t get a cold from humans. Dogs can’t catch the same cold as humans get. Dogs who suffer from colds are due to specific viruses. When a dog gets infected, he experiences cold-like symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, runny nose, etc.

What is a cold?

A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that affects your nose and throat. Different types of viruses can result in a common cold. When you are affected by a common cold, you experience inflammation in your nose and throat. Common cold can quickly spread to others around you but not your dog. If your dog has a running nose, cough, sneezing, watery eyes, loss of appetite, lethargy, difficulty in breathing, and fever, all these are symptoms of a cold.

Cold or Kennel cough?

Can dogs get sick from humans? No, it isn’t true in reality. Your dog can have a common cold that usually gets better itself. Kennel cough is a severe respiratory infection caused by viruses or bacteria. Your dog will cough with a ‘honking’ sound that clearly shows kennel cough. Kennel cough lasts for up to 2 weeks on average. Take your dog to the vet for the timely treatment of kennel cough. Dog owners often complain that kennel cough worsens at night and in the morning.

Can kennel cough be spread by humans? Dog owners should know that it is rarely seen that kennel cough is transmitted to humans. Your dog can quickly get kennel cough from another infected dog around him. Dogs suffering from kennel cough experience irritation in their throat, sneezing, loss of appetite, running nose, lethargy, and low-grade fever. A common cold usually goes away on its own. A cold and Kennel cough symptoms are similar because viruses and infections cause them.

How do you know if your dog has a cold?

Dogs can get the common cold due to certain viruses. If you can’t figure out a canine cold, look for the following symptoms. The canine cold symptoms might be similar to human colds as well.

• Congestion
• Sore throat
• Runny nose 
• Sneezing 
• Cough
• Blocked nose
• Watery Eyes
• Loss of appetite
• Increased sleeping
• Lethargy

Kennel cough can also have the same symptoms as mentioned above, but this cough will have a honking sound. Brachycephalic dog breeds experience severe colds because they are prone to breathing issues.

How do you get rid of a cold for a dog? 

Dog owners shouldn’t panic when their furry friend gets a cold. Canine cold can be treated with simple remedies and doesn’t need treatment from a vet. When your dog suffers from a cold, you can get rid of a cold with simple home remedies. You have to take care of your pet and give him a nutritious diet with increased fluid intake to get rid of the cold. The following ways will help you get rid of a cold for a dog.

1. Increase fluid intake: 

Keeping your dog well hydrated is the best way to recover from a cold. Ensure that your dog drinks plenty of water to fight the cold. To make your dog drink more water, you can add low sodium chicken broth to plain water. Your dog should have access to clean drinking water. Wash the drinking bowl of your dog with hot water to prevent the spread of germs. If your dog is not drinking water, you need to call your vet right away.

2. Keep your dog warm: 

When your dog is suffering from cold, you must keep him warm and dry. Cover him with warm blankets so that he can relax. Your dog needs to stay cozy to get rid of the cold. Some dog owners look for heated dog beds that keep their dogs warm. A low heat setting will be safe for your dog when suffering from a cold.

3. Setup a humidifier: 

Dogs experience breathing difficulty during cold. Set up a humidifier near your dog’s bed. It will keep your dog relieved. It will give a peaceful sleep to your dog suffering from a cold. It is advised to monitor your dog when the humidifier is on. Your dog will feel much better when you give steam to your dog. Steaming will help to open your dog’s bronchial passages, and we’ll keep them moist.

4. Feed chicken soup to your dog: 

Your dog will quickly recover from a cold when you feed him chicken soup. Give a nutritious diet to your dog when he has a cold. So it is an excellent idea to serve low sodium chicken soup, brown rice, and cooked vegetables to your dog so that he can quickly recover from the cold. These will provide energy to your dog.

5. Give him enough rest: 

Your dog must rest when suffering from a cold. 12 -14 hours of sleep is necessary for your dog to deal with the sickness. Taking your dog for a walk will make it exhausted and tired. Your dog must take a rest until the cold symptoms are improved. You need to monitor the symptoms of colds in your dog from time to time. Contact your vet if symptoms get severe.

How to prevent dogs from getting colds? 

Dogs often share the same environment and usually get sick. Give your dog a healthy and nutritious diet to prevent your dog from getting sick, especially from getting cold. You can prevent dogs from getting ill with the following tips and precautions.

1. Quarantine your sick dogs: 

Dog owners with multiple dogs can prevent canine colds by separating dogs with cold-like symptoms. Your sick dog must be separated from other dogs and kept in a quiet and relaxing environment. Avoid sharing food and water in case of canine cold.

2. Keep dog’s toys and dishes clean: 

You should regularly clean the food and water dishes along with your dog’s toys to prevent the spread of diseases. If your dogs share the same toys, frequently clean them to prevent them from getting cold.

3. Set up a vaccination schedule: 

There is no such vaccination for canine cold. Vaccination prevents your dog from getting new infections. You can avoid diseases with cold-like symptoms through vaccines in dogs. Vaccines provide immunity to your dog and protect them against severe conditions.