Colds are not only an issue for humans, our four-legged friends can also catch colds and suffer from symptoms that are well known to us. In dogs, however, not only the cold season plays a role when it comes to colds. Unlike us, there is less of a special cold season in a dog’s life, since a cold in dogs is often associated with stress, irritation, or allergies and is not just due to infections. In this article, you will find out how a cold manifests itself in dogs and tips on how you can best help him to overcome his illness.
What do you mean by dog sniffles?
A cold is usually an inflammation of the nasal mucosa and/or an infection of the upper respiratory tract, both in humans and in our dogs. If a dog has a cold, however, it does not automatically have to be an illness caused by viruses or bacteria. Other ailments also cause symptoms reminiscent of a cold. It is therefore important here to find the right cause in order to be able to treat the dog correctly and according to its problems.
Cold in the dog – possible causes
There are a number of reasons why your dog suffers from a cold or a cold.
Short-term irritation of the respiratory tract and nasal mucosa
A dog’s nose is much more sensitive than that of a human and is therefore more susceptible to irritation. Strong smells and fumes, such as from cleaning agents, scented candles, cigarette smoke or perfume, can trigger such an overstimulation of the dog’s nose. In this case, there may be a light, clear nasal discharge, as this is the way the body tries to clean the mucous membranes. It can also happen that the dog has to cough or sneeze when such smells, vapors or smoke get up its nose. However, such irritation usually does not last long and the associated symptoms usually subside quickly.
Allergies
Dogs are also often affected by allergies, which can affect their airways and thus trigger symptoms similar to a cold caused by an infection. Grasses, house dust or pollen are common allergens that dogs react to. But food intolerance or allergies to shampoo and similar substances that come into contact with the skin can also occur. In the case of an allergy, the nasal discharge is usually accompanied by other symptoms that can tell the dog owner that it is not a classic cold. Irritation of the eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, scratching and licking certain parts of the body or coughing can occur.
Foreign body in the nose
When romping around in meadows and through forests, it can happen that foreign objects such as grass or grain get stuck in the dog’s nose. If the dog does not rid itself of this by simply reflexively sneezing, discharge and a constantly recurring urge to sneeze can occur. In such a case, the dog often needs surgical help from a veterinarian to get the foreign object removed from the nose.
Excitement and stress
When dogs are very excited or stressed, clear and thin mucus may come out of their nose. As soon as the dog is relaxed and calm again, the discharge will stop on its own.
Infections
Just like humans, dogs can also be infected by bacteria or viruses that lead to a cold due to infection. An infectious disease can usually be recognized by the color of the nasal discharge, even as a layperson. If this is not clear, but cloudy and rather green or yellowish in color, there is usually a real infection that should be treated by a veterinarian.
Tumors
Burrowing the nasal cavities with tumors can also lead to nasal discharge. For example, if only one nostril is affected by discharge or difficulty breathing, this can be an indication of such a problem.
Dental problems
Problems with the teeth or in the mouth area in general are often expressed by symptoms in the nose, since the oral cavity is connected to the nasal cavities. An inflamed tooth can therefore also lead to nasal discharge or sneezing. These symptoms are usually accompanied by a refusal to eat, increased salivation or visible problems with chewing.
Can a dog with a cold infect other dogs or people?
It is theoretically possible for the common cold to be transmitted to humans, but it is very unlikely. However, dogs can infect each other. Dog parks where many dogs interact with each other can therefore be a source of infection. If your dog is sick, it should be kept away from other dogs to protect them.
Cold in dogs – symptoms, and diagnosis
The symptoms of a dog cold are similar to those of a human cold. Not all symptoms have to appear at the same time. However, nasal discharge should always be checked for accompanying symptoms in order to be able to identify the cause of the cold. The following symptoms can occur:
- Sneeze
- discharge from the nose
- Labored breathing, rattling breath sounds
- hoarseness when barking
- Cough
- Fever
- Watery or swollen eyes
Important: If there is bloody nasal discharge, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately!
What treatments are possible for colds?
Depending on which disease actually belongs to the symptoms of the dog’s runny nose, the treatment is also designed. Tumors usually require an endoscopic procedure or an MRI to be detected. Deep-seated dental problems may only be able to be clearly identified by x-raying the jaw. If the infection is caused by bacteria, treatment with antibiotics may be necessary. Foreign bodies and tumors are usually surgically removed after they are discovered and therefore require general anesthesia.
Away from all medical interventions and assistance provided by the veterinarian, rest helps every sick dog to get back on its feet. Proper care of the sick dog is therefore also important at home to support its recovery.
When should my dog see the vet for a cold?
If the cold symptoms last longer than a day or the general condition of the dog is very bad, breathing problems or fever occur, the dog should definitely be given medical treatment. In this way, serious complications can be avoided.
Effective home remedies for dog sniffles
If the symptoms persist or are particularly severe, dog owners should not hesitate to take their dog to the vet as soon as possible. Even if the cause is not serious, as a loving dog owner, you would rather go to the doctor once too often than endanger the well-being of your four-legged partner. Nevertheless, there are also some home remedies that you can use to make your dog’s illness and its course easier, so that you can see him fit and energetic again as soon as possible.
First and foremost, the right care, rest, and protection help significantly so that the body can put its strength into healing. Walks should therefore be rather short and playing or training together must be postponed until the dog is feeling better. To enable better breathing, your dog’s nose should be cleaned regularly. The crust caused by the nasal discharge can be easily removed with a soft and slightly damp cloth.
It is also important that the dog drinks plenty of fluids. Fresh water should therefore always be freely accessible. In the case of very limp dogs, the bowl should not be far from where the dog is lying down so that it can get to the water without much effort. If the dog does not want to drink water, liquid can also be mixed with the food, for example in the form of meat broth. In terms of nutrition, fennel is a proven home remedy for a cold. Your dog can eat fennel both raw and cooked, depending on what he likes better. Finally, sleep, warmth, and a comfortable level of humidity will do the rest of the recovery. Cold and drafty places should be avoided at all costs when the dog is sick.
Can I prevent a cold in my dog?
In order to avoid a cold in the dog before it develops, there are some preventive measures that can help here:
Dogs with a generally weak immune system can be helped with supplements. This effectively strengthens the immune system and thus has the necessary defenses to defeat pathogens that have penetrated the body. However, the administration of such preparations should not be done on your own and should always be discussed with a veterinarian!
A balanced diet plays a large part in keeping the dog in the best possible state of health.
Unnecessary or excessive stress should be avoided, as this makes you ill in the long run. Situations that you know will stress your dog out should therefore be avoided as much as possible, or work should be done to make the dog more tolerant of the situation and therefore less stressed.
A lot of exercise boosts the metabolism and ensures a healthy body and a balanced mind.
Dogs with a little undercoat of their own or very thin fur should be protected by a dog coat in wet and cold weather to avoid hypothermia. If the dog does get wet, it should be dried off well and allowed to warm up. Caution should also be exercised when bathing in winter or with dogs that have been clipped. The risk of catching a cold is significantly increased here.
