Your dog sneezes several times and walks a little slower on your morning walk. Your cat’s eyes look watery, and breakfast sits untouched. Meanwhile, someone in the house has been coughing since Tuesday. Did everyone catch the same bug?
Well, pets do get cold-like respiratory infections, but the germs often differ from the ones that make people sick. As a pet owner, you’ll want to be aware that:
- Most pet “colds” come from germs that spread among animals, not from a person with the sniffles. People can occasionally pass the flu to pets, but this is typically very rare.
- Sneezing, coughing, watery eyes or nose, and tiredness are main warning signs of sickness in pets.
- These illnesses spread between pets through close contact, airborne droplets, and shared items.
- Trouble breathing, lost appetite, or symptoms that drag on usually mean it’s time for an exam.
At Blue Lake Animal Hospital, we care for dogs, cats, and pocket pets alike whenever they start feeling unwell. If you suspect your pet is showing cold or flu symptoms, reach out to our Caledonia pet care center to schedule an appointment.
Do Pets Catch the Same Colds and Flu as People?
While pets can get cold- and flu-like sicknesses, they’re usually not the exact same ones that people get. Animals carry their own respiratory germs that rarely match the viruses behind a human cold.
In dogs, “kennel cough” is a general name for a group of contagious, species-specific viruses and bacteria that present like a cold. Dogs can also catch canine influenza, a true flu that circulates among dogs. Cats follow a similar pattern, with specific feline viruses (like calicivirus or herpesvirus) generally being more common than the flu. Flu can still cross species now and then, but this kind of transmission is fairly uncommon.
What Cold and Flu Symptoms Should You Watch for in Different Pets?
The signs of sickness tend to overlap between species. Typical symptoms for pets can include:
- Dogs: Coughing and sneezing, eye or nose discharge, and low energy.
- Cats: Frequent sneezing, eye or nose discharge, tiredness, and poor appetite.
- Rabbits: Sneezing, wheezing, and nasal discharge, sometimes with crusty fur on the front paws from wiping their noses.
- Pocket pets: Wheezing or congestion, eye or nose discharge, and lethargy.
You’ll notice that a lot of these symptoms seem like the ones people can experience! If you notice these in your pet, they’re probably feeling like you do when you have a cold.
How Do Respiratory Illnesses Spread Between Animals?
Most illnesses travel the same few routes between animals as between people:
- Close contact and shared air: Coughs and sneezes send droplets between pets.
- Shared items: Bowls, toys, and bedding can pass germs along.
- Silent carriers: Dogs can be contagious before any signs appear, and cats infected with herpesvirus carry it for life, with flare-ups potentially returning later.
Vaccines are a key way to help prevent many illnesses. An effective vaccination plan should be built around your pet’s age, health history, and lifestyle for the best protection.
When Should a Sick Pet Be Examined by a Veterinarian?
Mild symptoms can often pass on their own. Certain signs, however, can call for an exam, such as:
- Fast, labored, or persistent open-mouth breathing
- Refusing food or water
- A cough that hasn’t improved in two weeks, or any fever or weakness
- Thick, colored discharge
- Puppies, kittens, seniors, or pets with other health conditions
A veterinary exam can separate a simple cold-like illness from more serious problems like pneumonia. If your pet is showing one or more of these signs, call ahead to set up an appointment, and mention respiratory symptoms so the team can protect other patients when your pet is seen.
Keep Your Whole Family Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
Pets can catch sicknesses like colds, and a few flu viruses may cross between species occasionally. Most pet “colds,” however, come from species-specific germs that spread by close contact with other animals. If your pet is showing symptoms or simply seems off, contact Blue Lake Animal Hospital to schedule a visit. Our team can help you decide what care should come next.
