Have you ever wondered if your dog could catch the same kind of cold that you currently have or gotten in the past?
Coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes regularly afflict humans, but can dogs get colds too? Not exactly. While the common cold is a catch-all for many human illnesses, dogs can’t contract the same bugs. However, dogs can get sick with cold-like symptoms, like a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes.
“Veterinarians use the term Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) to refer to cold-like respiratory infections in dogs,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian at Vetster. Most CIRDC cases are spread through close contact, like sharing water or food bowls or chewing the same toys, and resolve on their own. However, you should consult a vet for cold-like symptoms if your dog is a puppy, a senior, a brachycephalic breed, chronically ill, or when symptoms linger or worsen.
Dogs with cold-like symptoms should be isolated from healthy pets. If your dog’s cold-like symptoms persist for more than a week or worsen, it may indicate an underlying and potentially more serious condition.
Below, we’ll explore the dog version of a cold and the mysterious dog illness currently circulating. Our experts also discuss serious conditions pet parents might mistake for a mere cold.
What Are the Symptoms of Colds in Dogs?
Dog cold symptoms come from viruses (like canine adenovirus and parainfluenza) and bacteria (such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, the culprit behind kennel cough). Because dogs aren’t affected by the same viruses as us, “there is minimal risk of dogs catching colds from humans,” assures Dr. Abel Gonzalez, DVM, a veterinarian and clinical director at Dutch, a veterinary telehealth service.
With that said, dog cold symptoms include the following.
- Runny nose
- A wet, hacking cough
- A dry, honking cough
- Shallow or wet breathing
- Fatigue
- Red or irritated eyes
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
Additionally, if your dog has pale lips or is having breathing problems, seek emergency care.
Finally, consult your veterinarian if you see any signs of illness in your dog, particularly if your dog is a puppy, immunocompromised, brachycephalic, or elderly. Your veterinary clinic will determine if your dog needs to be seen by a vet or if you can monitor their symptoms at home.
What Conditions Cause Dog Cold Symptoms?
A common human cold is caused by over 200 viruses, of which 99-plus types are rhinoviruses. Similarly, CIRDC doesn’t have a single origin and doesn’t cause just one type of illness. Canine flu, kennel cough, and distemper make up a portion of CIRDC and are caused by different pathogens.
It’s also difficult to diagnose illnesses associated with CIRDC because other conditions can show similar symptoms.
| Serious conditions associated with CIRDC | Defining symptoms | Treatment |
| Canine flu (Canine influenza) | The canine flu doesn’t have any defining symptoms. Like most cases of CIRDC, you can’t tell which type of bacteria or virus is causing your dog’s respiratory illness, Myers explains. | In mild cases, veterinarians don’t recommend additional testing to determine the cause. Instead, pups with mild cases of the flu should stay home to rest with plenty of hydration. |
| Kennel cough | Gonzalez says kennel cough is characterized by a honking cough. Myers adds that dogs may have coughing spells severe enough to cause vomiting. Otherwise, dogs usually appear healthy. | Myers says most cases go away without treatment in two weeks or less. Dogs with more severe symptoms, such as a fever, lack of appetite, and lethargy, may require antibiotics. |
| Distemper | Distemper symptoms come on quickly and progress rapidly, including lethargy, eye discharge, and fever. Dogs with distemper may have gastrointestinal and neurological signs as well. | Distemper can be fatal, and there is no specific treatment for the virus. Instead, veterinarians aim to manage symptoms and prevent secondary infections using antibiotics, IV fluids, and other supportive medications. |
| Conditions with cold-like symptoms not associated with CIRDC | Defining symptoms | Treatment |
| Allergies | Symptoms beyond the typical cold-like signs include repetitive issues like itchy skin, hair loss, and skin or ear infections. | Minimizing exposure to the allergen. |
| Heart disease | Cold-like symptoms that persist and may lead to shortness of breath, fainting spells, and weight changes. | Early diagnosis is key so your veterinarian can start your dog on cardiac medications that correct an irregular heartbeat or slow the build-up of fluid in the lungs. Other conditions may require surgery, such as valve repair or a pacemaker. |
| Breed-specific respiratory conditions like Brachycephalic airway syndrome | Loud snoring, heavy breathing, snorting, struggling to exercise, and collapsing or fainting. Most often seen in Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers. | Keeping your brachycephalic dog at their ideal weight is the best way to ensure they breathe easily. Additionally, avoid strenuous exercise and exposure to heat. In severe cases, vets might recommend surgery. |
iStock/Photoboyko
How Do Dogs Catch Colds?
Dogs might get the sniffles and a cough, but it’s not likely they caught it from us. ‘Dog colds’ are more likely caught from a playmate than from snuggling with you. Germs can persist on surfaces, like a shared toy, be swapped through slobber, or inhaled.
Myers says that dogs regularly socializing with other dogs are generally at a higher risk of illness. The risk further increases when dogs play indoors with unvaccinated dogs.
The most common places for dogs to catch a cold include:
- Shelters
- Boarding facilities
- Grooming facilities
- Dog training classes and daycare
- Playdates
- Canine sporting events
- The dog park
Can cold viruses infect across species?
It’s unlikely that a dog would get a human sick and vice versa. However, some viruses, such as canine distemper, can affect animals of different species. If your dog appears sick, it’s best to err on the side of caution and separate them from other healthy pets.
Should I be concerned about the current mystery respiratory disease affecting dogs?
“There’s no evidence that this illness is something new,” assures Myers. It’s another form of CIRDC with symptoms lasting unusually long, sometimes up to 8 weeks.
She explains that the cough sometimes progresses to pneumonia, with a small number of dogs dying. However, Myers emphasizes that the risk of CIRDC progressing to pneumonia and resulting in death is no different from typical cases of CIRDC.
How to Treat Your Dog’s Cold
While dog colds typically clear up on their own in about one to two weeks, it’s a good idea to keep your vet in the loop. They can assess if your dog can recuperate at home or if veterinary care is necessary. If your pup’s cough sticks around for more than two weeks or if symptoms worsen, schedule a vet appointment ASAP.
Home remedies for dog colds
Myers says dogs with a cold might need nothing more than a little TLC and downtime at home. To encourage proper rest and hydration, try these tips:
- Swap kibbles for wet food
- Warm up your dog’s food; if they’re stuffy, they may not be able to smell too well
- Add water or bone broth to their meals
- Gently clean their eyes to minimize staining and discharge buildup
- Offer a heated dog bed or warm their favorite blanket in the dryer
- Use a humidifier or bring your dog into the bathroom while you run the shower
- Avoid exposing your dog to respiratory irritants, including smoke, certain essential oils, and strong fragrances
- Keep them isolated from other pets
Medications for dog colds
Unless they have more severe symptoms such as a fever, loss of appetite, or lack of energy, dogs with upper respiratory illnesses usually don’t require medication. However, when symptoms are severe, the illness is persistent, or your dog is at risk of complications, Myers says your vet may prescribe steroids, cough suppressants, or saline nebulization.
Don’t be surprised if your vet wants the illness to run its course rather than use medications. She says sometimes medications do more harm than good. For example, coughing can help clear bacteria from the lungs. Finally, when it comes to over-the-counter human cold medications, like cough medicine, never administer them unless directed to do so by a veterinarian.
iStock/macniak
How to Help Prevent Dog Colds & Other Illnesses
Like humans, sometimes dogs just get sick. However, there are ways pet parents can minimize the chances of their pup catching a cold, including the following.
Medical protection Vaccines
Will a vaccine guarantee your dog never gets sick? Not likely. But, many vaccines are highly effective in preventing illnesses or decreasing the symptoms if your dog catches a bug.
“The vaccine for rabies (not CIRDC), parainfluenza, and distemper are highly effective,” Myers says. She says while these illnesses can be deadly, vaccinated pups likely won’t even experience symptoms if they come in contact with the diseases. These make up the core vaccines for puppies, alongside vaccines for adenovirus and parvovirus,
Finally, Myers explains that vaccines against other CIRDC illnesses, including canine flu and kennel cough, offer similar benefits as our flu and COVID-19 vaccines. They decrease the likelihood of illness or minimize symptoms and duration of illness.
Home remedies for cold prevention
To help keep your pup healthy and cold-free, consider these at-home tips:
- Stay up-to-date on vaccinations
- Keep your dog warm and dry
- Regularly clean your dog’s toys, food dishes, and water bowls, and avoid sharing them with other dogs
- Change the water in your dog’s bowl at least once a day
- Minimize exposure to indoor areas with lots of dogs, such as doggy care centers (use a pet sitter instead!)
- Reduce stress by maintaining a routine
- Provide your dog with plenty of mental and physical exercise; hire a dog walker if you’ll be away for an extended time
- Feed your dog a high-quality commercial dog food that meets or exceeds the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional adequacy recommendations for their size and life stage
Written by Janelle Leeson @ Rover
