Can dogs get colds?

Hearing your dog coughing or seeing them looking under the weather is worrying for pet parents. But can dogs get colds – and do they get the same type of colds as us?

Whether dogs can get human colds is one of the most common questions owners ask – but, thankfully, the answer is no. There’s a lot of confusing information online, but ultimately, dogs are not susceptible to the same common cold virus that affects us.

Do dogs get colds in general, though? Yes. If you notice your dog has cold-like symptoms, they likely either have an upper respiratory infection causes by viral canine parinfluenza (the dog version of a cold/flu). This can also lead to a lower respiratory infection known as kennel cough, which is caused by canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria.

Both canine influenza and kennel cough symptoms are similar to cold or flu symptoms in humans.

The main difference between and upper and lower respiratory infection (kennel cough) is how it sounds and how it spreads.

Kennel cough is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog through minute droplets of saliva or by contact with surfaces an infected dog has touched or been close to.

It can be picked up at any time of year and from anywhere that brings your dog into contact with other dogs – such as the park, or after a stay at a kennel, as the name suggests. 

People often say kennel cough sounds like a ‘honking goose’, or as if something is stuck in the dog’s throat. This is caused when dogs yak to clear the phlegm caused by inflammation at the back of their throat.

Affected dogs often have inflammation in both their windpipe and their throat, which means that bouts of coughing usually end with your dog yakking or gagging. Alarming as it sounds, it’s usually worse to listen to than it is for your dog to experience.

In the first instance, kennel cough treatment is about easing your dog’s symptoms.

You can do this by: 

• Encouraging them to drink lots of water
• Keeping them in a quiet place, such as a bedroom, so their surroundings are as calm as possible and they have no cause to bark – which can bring on a bout of coughing
• Swapping their collar for a harness during their walks, since pulling on the neck can make coughing worse
• Keeping your home well-ventilated and smoke-free 

To stop the infection spreading, it’s also important to keep your dog away from other dogs – including other dogs in your household – while they’re ill. You should do this for at least a week after the coughing has cleared up.

Antibiotics won’t usually be prescribed unless your vet believes your dog has developed a secondary infection in their lungs – which is unlikely, but can happen.

In most cases, kennel cough clears up on its own. The honking cough lasts about two weeks, and most dogs get better without any treatment.

However, if your dog coughs persistently for more than three days and isn’t showing any signs of improvement, if they aren’t eating, or if the cough causes them to vomit, you will need to consult your vet. Your vet may recommend kennel cough treatment in the form of anti-inflammatory drugs or cough suppressant to help your dog to sleep and eat.

If you have dog insurance with Petplan, you can also access our Pet Expert Chat to speak with a vet professional about any concerns. Just log into your My Petplan account to get started.

There’s one simple way to protect your pet from most strains of the infection: the kennel cough vaccine. 

Puppies can have their first vaccine from as young as eight weeks old. Your vet will give your dog the kennel cough vaccine in the form of nasal or oral drops that help protect them from 90% of kennel cough strains. 

Bear in mind that you’ll need to budget for this yearly cost, as vaccines aren’t covered under under Petplan insurance policies.

While dogs can catch colds, these respiratory conditions are rarely serious and usually go away on their own.

Knowing the signs and how to treat kennel cough are the best tools for keeping your dog healthy. You can also help them fend off infections and keep their immune system strong by feeding them a good diet and ensuring they get plenty of exercise.