What to Do When Your Dog Has a Cold
Tips for dog owners: how to help your four-legged patient recover
Dogs can show cold and flu-like symptoms during cold and damp seasons. These include a runny nose, sneezing, eye discharge, coughing, fever, shallow, noisy and laboured breathing due to congestion as well as a lack of energy and appetite.
Measures for recovery
As long as your four-legged friend only shows mild symptoms, but still has an appetite and is behaving normally, you can help them with simple measures to speed up their recovery. Dry air can irritate the airways, so set up a humidifier. The vapor can help to alleviate breathing difficulties. Clean the areas around the eyes and nose carefully with a lukewarm, damp cloth and allow your dog plenty of rest. Offer your four-legged friend plenty of fresh water and ensure they drink a lot. A balanced diet helps to strengthen the immune system (more details below). Keep your dog warm and away from other four-legged friends so that they don’t become infected.3,4,5 Definitely don’t smoke in the dog's presence and avoid the use of things like room sprays. Your four-legged patient should feel better again in one to two weeks.
If the above-mentioned symptoms worsen and severe breathing problems, bloody sputum when coughing, nosebleeds, reluctance to eat or drink and lethargic behavior occur, you must have your dog examined by a veterinarian.6,7 They can offer appropriate treatment options based on the results of the examination.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Catching a Cold
Preventive measures
- Dogs are most likely to catch the disease from another sick dog. Make sure that your dog avoids places where coughing and sneezing four-legged friends are present and do not let them drink from shared bowls or use shared toys.
- Strengthen the immune system with a balanced diet. Vitamins, fats, proteins and minerals are essential in a dog's diet.5
- If your dog spends most of its time outside, allow it to retreat to a dry, wind-protected, possibly heated dog kennel. Do you have a dog without enough undercoat? Then grant him a warm and suitable item of clothing.
- Have your dog examined regularly at a veterinary practice. This will help to recognize potential health problems before they become serious illnesses.
- Make sure that your four-legged friend's vaccination status is always up to date. A stable immune system is better equipped to fight off future infections.1,8
Conclusion
Bear in mind that the season of runny noses, watery eyes and coughs may be approaching for your dog. Be sure to protect them as much as you can. If they do fall ill, you can take simple measures to help; ask experts (e.g. vets) for advice. Observe your patient closely and do not hesitate to take them to a veterinary practice if the symptoms persist or worsen.
Disclaimer: All our guides are based on scientifically grounded research, current studies, and the expertise of FOUR PAWS experts. If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with our experts, please contact us at research.info@four-paws.org.
