Can a Dog Catch a Cold From a Human: When we have colds or flu, we feel very bad, and we need to take care of ourselves and rest and take medication and some natural remedies. As these viruses are very contagious, we try not to get too close to others or be in places with many people, since in addition to infecting others being weak, we could get infected again with other viruses and get worse.
Can a Dog Catch a Cold From a Human?
In addition, those who live with dogs often wonder if they can get it and, vice versa, if dogs can infect us with this type of virus. At ThePetsAid, we want to help you learn everything you need to take good care of your dog, and one of these things is prevention in terms of disease transmission in both directions. Therefore, in this article, we will answer the common doubt about: Can I give my dog the flu? Can a Dog Catch a Cold From a Human?
What are cold and flu?
As they are very similar cases caused by viruses, the first thing is knowing how to differentiate a cold from the flu. Thus, the flu is a respiratory disease in which a viral infection occurs, which is caused by the virus called “influenza,” a virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family.
If this problem is not treated well, it is easy for it to lead to more serious ones since the virus advances until it occupies all the respiratory tract, both upper and lower.
Instead, a cold or common cold is also a respiratory disease caused by a viral infection, but it is mainly caused by viruses of the rhinovirus and coronavirus type. In addition, this type of virus does not attack all the respiratory tract but usually only affects the upper or upper respiratory tract.
How to tell a cold from the flu
Although the basic symptoms are very similar and, therefore, confusion can be created when differentiating the flu from a cold, the truth is that it can be done taking into account some factors. For example, the flu causes fever, and instead, a common cold does not cause it or only produces tenths.
The cold produces a runny nose and discomfort in the upper respiratory tract, such as the nose and throat, but the flu has other symptoms such as exhaustion and generalized muscle, joint, and bone pain, in addition to tenses or fever.
Likewise, from the time the flu virus is spread, it can take between 1 and 3 days for symptoms to appear, and it is necessary to rest for a few days or even weeks. It can lead to bronchitis, pneumonia, and other diseases if it gets complicated.
In the case of a cold, symptoms such as the runny nose and itchy throat usually appear first, and from the 4th or 5th day, the cough appears, which can last between 1 and 2 weeks. The cold can be cured by itself when the virus has completed its cycle, if it is not complicated or if the incubation was not very long.
Dogs and other animals also suffer from these types of conditions and, therefore, it is common for us to worry about knowing if dogs can get it when we have the flu or cold and vice versa if they can transmit it to us. For this reason, below, we detail everything you need to know about this question.
What about the coronavirus?
As a concerned pet owner, reading about the coronavirus disease COVID-19 may leave you wondering about the risk of infection between you and your pet. There is no evidence that pet dogs, cats, food, or packaging of their food can be a source of infection for other animals or humans.
As the coronavirus situation evolves, it is important to check with the World Health Organization for updates as information becomes available.
Today at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are no reports of animals in the United States that have been identified with the virus. There is no evidence that dogs or other Pets can contract or spread the human version of the virus. If this still worries you, it’s best to talk to your vet.
Flu in Dogs
As we have mentioned, these animals can also suffer from diseases such as the flu and the common cold, but we must know that it is viral diseases such as influenza and canine parainfluenza that cause diseases such as kennel cough.
In other words, in the case of dogs, these diseases that we relate to the flu that we suffer from are caused by viruses of the Paramyxoviridae and Orthomyxoviridae families, such as the H3N8 and H3N2 viruses.
As soon as we detect that our dog has symptoms of a cold or flu, canine influenza or parainfluenza, or kennel cough, it is vital to go to the veterinarian as soon as possible to avoid complications. Some of the main symptoms are:
- TOS
- Nasal congestion
- sneezing
- Eye congestion
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Tenths or fever
- Muscle pain
- Apathy and depression
In addition, these viruses are highly contagious between dogs, so it is necessary to separate the affected dog from the rest if we live with several while the treatment lasts.
Can I Give My Dog the Flu? And Can My Dog give Me the Flu?
Cold and flu are highly contagious between humans. In the case of dogs, the same thing happens. They are highly contagious diseases between dogs, with the equivalent of their respiratory viral diseases that we also commonly call flu and cold. However, does contagion occur between species?
The conclusion reached by the studies carried out to date is that contagion is NOT possible. If we look at the above, the most common viruses that cause our cold and flu are not the viruses that cause canine influenza and parainfluenza, nor diseases such as kennel cough, although some may come from the same or similar large families.
They are definitely different viruses. Therefore, whether you have doubts about whether you can spread the flu to your furry friend or if the doubt is about whether dog flu is contagious to humans, the answers are clear: you CANNOT give your dog the flu, nor can he to you.
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Precautions to Avoid Colds
Colds in People
Colds and flu are easily spread, so it is necessary to take some precautions during the seasons of increased alertness (winter, especially the months of January and February).
Wrapping up warm both at home and on the street, wearing rain-proof shoes, warm and waterproof jackets, a scarf to protect the throat, and drinking hot drinks to warm the body are simple and essential things to protect ourselves.
At the same time, do not maintain close contact with other people if you have a cold, ventilate the rooms, and cough by putting your elbow instead of your hand to not spread it.
Colds in Dogs
In the case of dogs, we must avoid contact with other pets with colds and, above all, dry their hair, folds and paws well when returning from a walk and wear a coat on cold and rainy days. Although it seems only a canine fashion accessory, coats and raincoats for dogs are very useful to protect them from the cold.
How to Prevent and Treat Colds in Dogs?
With the drop and change of temperatures, there is more risk that your dog will get cold. Learn how to prevent colds and treat catarrh in dogs.
What Diseases Can Spread Between Humans and Other Species?
There are diseases that can spread between people and pets, but these are usually rare cases, primarily parasites, and fungi. More common, however, are skin infections caused by a bite or scratch from an animal.
In the case of pets, the corresponding vaccines and good hygiene and nutrition help reduce the chances of infection by scratches or bites (in addition to the fact that it is much less frequent than they attack us unless it is playing, but in the case of animals strays like cats, there is a danger of contracting tetanus.
That is why if we have received a bad-looking scratch from a stray animal, it is best to go to an outpatient clinic and have the professionals check the wound.