Do Dogs Catch Cold?
Many people are under the impression that dogs have a better immune system and capacity of surviving cold temperatures and bacteria that are present in the environment. However, that is not entirely true. Dogs do feel cold and can catch a cold like us humans. Stress, low immunity levels, and inhospitable weather conditions are some major factors leading to cold in dogs. But how to determine if your dog has a cold? And most importantly, what to do if your dog catches a cold? Below are some facts and tips on what to do if this does happen do your dog.
Signs Your Dog May Have a Cold
To put it simply, a cold is an upper respiratory infection that leads to the following symptoms:
- Nasal congestion and discharge
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Occasional coughing
- Mild fever
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- General lethargy
- Loss of appetite
While these symptoms can make your dog uncomfortable, they are not severe. Most dogs will get over a common cold within a few days without any treatment. Make sure you keep your canine friend is warm and well hydrated while recuperating.
Can my dog catch a cold from me?
The answer is ”no”. Dogs can pass bacteria or viruses among themselves, but a human-to-dog transmission is very rare. The reason being, the virus that gets a dog down with a cold are different from the one that affects humans. Owners should not be worried about either, passing the virus onto their pets or vice versa. From our experience, we know that our dog sitter NJ doesn’t contract any deadly virus from sick dogs.
How to Treat Cold Condition at Home
There is no cure for the common cold, but some supportive measures can help your dog feel comfortable during cold, including:
- Always keep your dog warm and dry. Ensure their rest area is properly cleaned and santized.
- Avoid taking the dog outside during cold weather. Cold air tends to make the bronchial tubes constrict which makes it difficult for the dog to breathe.
- It would be great if your dog inhales steaming water, as this will unclog the sinuses. Bring over a tub of hot water, and gently make the dog to inhale the vapors. Avoid taking the dog too close to the steaming water.
- Feed him/her immunity-boosting food items like boiled chicken and brown rice. A good immune system will help keep the germs and bacteria at bay.
- Run a cool mist vaporizer near your dog’s bed to keep the bronchial tubes moistened.
- Encourage your dog to drink nutritious liquids. Chicken broth will work wonders for the dog, helping keep nasal secretion thin and less likely to block your dog’s nose.
Once you have determined that your dog have a cold, consider taking him/her to the vet. Although, cold gets better without medical intervention, but it is difficult to judge the severity of illness. You can administer children’s cold medicine only after consulting your veterinarian. Last, remember that just like us dogs also need a little extra pampering until they feel better.
