Dogs can catch colds too, here’s what you should know

Cold and flu season is in full swing and with many of us still suffering, you may be wondering if our dogs can get sick too.

With cold and flu season in effect and plenty of people passing germs around like they are hot potatoes, we often do everything our power to stay healthy and avoid getting sick. And while we may do everything from constantly washing our hands to avoiding people who might be sick, it’s not that easy for our dogs to do the same.

Sure, our pups can’t catch the same cold or flu that we have, but that doesn’t mean they can’t catch something themselves. In fact, not only can dogs get their own version of the common cold, but they are also germ carriers themselves.

When we actually do get sick, our dogs can actually carry our germs around, just like a blanket or any other surface in our home, according to Blue Buffalo. It’s actually not as surprising as you might think, since we often want comfort from our pets when we don’t feel well.

However, while our pups might carry our germs around, they won’t necessarily catch our flu or our cold. Rather, they are more likely to get the canine influenza or a canine cold.

Canine influenza is contagious, but not by humans (at least not yet). Similar to the flu that we get, dogs that experience canine influenza will have symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing, a sense of lethargy, and even coughing. Sometimes your dog may even end up with a fever, which means that there temperature could be between 104 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is important to pay attention to any symptoms your dog may be experiencing as the flu can be fatal. And even if your dog doesn’t show symptoms, be cautious if they are often around other dogs at parks or in doggy day care.

And just like our own colds, our pets can get the common cold, which will leave them wanting to just rest and not do the things they normally would. Treating a cold in a dog is similar to how we treat ourselves. Which means allowing them to rest, making sure they are getting lots of fluids, and getting them to eat, as they need the nutrients from their food.

When our dogs don’t feel good, it can definitely be hard to deal with as we want out animals to be healthy and happy. As long as we pay attention to their needs and make sure they are getting proper care, your pup should be back in tip-top shape quickly.

Just remember, even if they can’t get your cold or you can’t get theirs, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful of all those germs. Just like we try to avoid them out in the world, it is important to keep things clean at home too.

Did you know your dog can get their own form of the common cold? What do you do when your pup gets sick? Tell us your dog care tips and tricks in the comments.