Can Dogs Get A Cold (And What You Should Do About It)?

TL;DR: Yes, dogs can catch a cold, viral upper respiratory infections that cause coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and lethargy. Most colds resolve on their own in 5-10 days with rest, fluids, and bland food. Call the vet if symptoms worsen, your dog stops eating, breathing becomes labored, or it's a puppy or senior dog. Kennel cough, dog flu, and pneumonia look similar but are more serious. Dog colds and human colds are caused by different viruses, so you can't catch your dog's cold or vice versa.

If your dog has been sneezing all morning, has a runny nose, and isn't quite as bouncy as usual, you've probably wondered the same thing pretty much every dog owner wonders at some point: can dogs actually get a cold? The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that "cold" covers a wide range of mild upper respiratory infections, and it's helpful to know what to look for and when something more serious might be going on.

Here at Cooper's Treats, we live with a goofy golden retriever named Maple, and we've seen our share of sniffles, sneezes, and "is she okay?" moments. This guide walks through what a dog cold actually looks like, the symptoms to watch, the more serious illnesses that can look like a cold (kennel cough, dog flu, pneumonia), and the practical things you can do at home, plus when it's time to stop home-treating and call the vet.

The Short Answer: Can Dogs Get Colds?

Yes. Dogs catch viral upper respiratory infections that look and act a lot like the common cold in humans. The viruses involved are different (canine parainfluenza, canine adenovirus, canine respiratory coronavirus, and a few others), but the symptoms and course of illness are very similar: a few days of coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and feeling generally lousy, followed by recovery.

Important: human and dog colds aren't cross-transmissible in either direction. You can't give your dog your cold, and your dog can't give you theirs. So the cuddles on the couch are safe (for the virus, anyway).

Symptoms of a Dog Cold

The classic symptoms look very similar to human cold symptoms:

• Sneezing, sometimes in clusters
• Runny nose, usually clear discharge
• Coughing, mild and occasional, not constant or honking
• Mild congestion, you might hear faint nasal sounds when they breathe
• Reduced energy, more sleeping, less interest in play
• Mild appetite loss, eating somewhat less than usual but still eating
• Watery eyes, sometimes with mild discharge

The hallmark of a regular cold is that everything is mild. Your dog is uncomfortable but not really sick. They're moving around, drinking water, eating a little, and the symptoms don't escalate.

Why Is My Dog Coughing?

A mild, occasional cough during a cold is normal, similar to a tickle in your own throat when you have a cold. But coughing has lots of potential causes, and the type of cough can help tell them apart:

• Mild, occasional cough with sneezing and runny nose, most likely a cold
• Loud, honking cough that sounds like a goose, kennel cough (see below)
• Persistent, deep, wet cough, could be bronchitis or pneumonia, call the vet
• Reverse sneezing, sounds dramatic but is harmless. Looks like the dog is sucking in air with a snorting noise. Triggered by excitement or irritation. Not a cold.
• Cough paired with exercise intolerance or fatigue, could be a heart issue, vet visit
• Cough with retching or vomiting, could be kennel cough or something more serious

If the coughing is mild and your dog is otherwise alert and eating, monitor for a few days. If it's frequent, severe, or paired with breathing difficulty, call the vet.

Why Is My Dog Sneezing?

Sneezing during a mild cold is normal and not concerning by itself. But persistent or severe sneezing can have other causes:

• Allergies, seasonal pollen, dust, mold
• Foreign body in the nose, grass seed, dirt, or small object stuck in the nasal passage. Often causes sudden onset of intense sneezing.
• Nasal mites or infection, less common but possible
• Dental issues, infections of upper molar teeth can cause sneezing

Cold-related sneezing is usually mild and clears up in a few days. Sudden, intense, repeated sneezing, especially with bloody nasal discharge, warrants a vet check.

Why Does My Dog Have a Runny Nose?

Clear nasal discharge is common with a mild cold and usually nothing to worry about. The color and consistency of the discharge gives clues:

• Clear, watery discharge, mild viral infection (cold) or allergies
• Thick yellow or green discharge, possible bacterial infection or sinusitis, vet visit recommended
• Bloody discharge, could be a foreign body, trauma, or more serious issue. Call the vet.
• Discharge from one nostril only, often indicates a foreign body or localized issue, vet visit
• Discharge from both nostrils, more consistent with a viral cold

Kennel Cough vs Dog Cold

Kennel cough (technically called canine infectious tracheobronchitis) gets confused with a cold all the time. The big differences:

• Cough sound, kennel cough produces a distinctive loud, honking cough that sounds almost like a goose. A dog with a cold has more of a mild throat-clearing cough.
• Severity, kennel cough is louder, more frequent, and often comes in fits triggered by excitement, exercise, or pulling on a leash.
• Contagiousness, kennel cough is highly contagious between dogs. If your dog recently boarded, went to daycare, was at a dog park, or visited the groomer, kennel cough is more likely.
• Recovery, mild kennel cough usually clears up in 1-3 weeks on its own. More severe cases need antibiotics or cough suppressants from a vet.

Kennel cough usually isn't life-threatening in healthy adult dogs, but it can develop into pneumonia, especially in puppies, seniors, or immunocompromised dogs. If you suspect kennel cough, keep your dog away from other dogs and call your vet.

Dog Flu vs Dog Cold

Canine influenza (dog flu) is caused by influenza viruses specific to dogs. It looks similar to a cold but tends to be more severe:

• Symptoms, dog flu causes higher fever, more severe coughing, more lethargy, and often eye and nasal discharge that's thicker.
• Vomiting, more common with dog flu than with a regular cold.
• Duration, dog flu can last 2-3 weeks vs 5-10 days for a typical cold.
• Complications, dog flu has a higher risk of progressing to pneumonia.

If your dog seems significantly more sick than a normal cold would suggest, especially with a fever or thicker discharge, call your vet. There's a vaccine for canine influenza that's worth discussing if your dog spends time around other dogs.

Is My Dog's Cold Contagious to Humans?

No. The viruses that cause colds in dogs are species-specific. You can't catch a cold from your dog, and your dog can't catch one from you. Same goes for the flu, dog flu and human flu are different viruses.

The one exception worth knowing about: in extremely rare cases, certain respiratory infections can cross species (avian flu being the most prominent example, but those are extremely rare in pet dogs). For the everyday cold and flu, you're fine.

Is My Dog's Cold Contagious to Other Dogs?

Yes. Dog colds, kennel cough, and dog flu are all contagious between dogs. If your dog is showing symptoms:

• Skip the dog park, daycare, and boarding
• Avoid letting your dog interact closely with other dogs on walks
• Wash your hands after handling your dog before petting other dogs
• Clean food and water bowls, toys, and bedding regularly

Most dogs are contagious for the duration of their symptoms, plus a few days after they appear better. Err on the side of keeping them isolated for an extra few days.

What to Do If Your Dog Has a Cold

For a mild, uncomplicated cold, supportive care at home is usually enough. Here's what helps:

• Rest. Skip the long walks and intense play. Let your dog sleep as much as they want.
• Fluids. Make sure fresh water is always nearby, even better, right next to their bed. Dehydration makes everything worse.
• Bland, easy food. If your dog isn't eating much, plain boiled chicken and white rice is gentle and appealing. Warming it slightly can boost the smell, which encourages eating when the nose is stuffy.
• Humid air. A humidifier in the room your dog sleeps in can help loosen congestion. Sitting in a steamy bathroom for 10 minutes works too.
• Warm, dry sleeping area. Cold and dampness make symptoms worse. Soft bedding, away from drafts.
• Clean their face. Wipe discharge from the eyes and nose with a soft, damp cloth a few times a day.
• Skip the leash pressure. A harness instead of a collar reduces throat irritation during a cough.

What NOT to do: don't give your dog human cold medicine. Ingredients like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and pseudoephedrine are toxic or dangerous to dogs. If your vet prescribes something, that's different, but pulling something from your own medicine cabinet is risky.

When to Call the Vet

Most colds resolve in 5-10 days. Call the vet if you see any of these:

• Symptoms worsen instead of improving
• Symptoms last longer than 10 days
• Persistent or worsening cough
• Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or open-mouth breathing at rest
• Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
• Refusal to eat for more than 24 hours
• Refusal to drink water
• Lethargy that goes beyond "tired and resting"
• Fever (normal dog temp is 100-102.5F, anything over 103F warrants a call)
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Wheezing or whistling breathing sounds

Lower your threshold for calling if your dog is a puppy under 6 months, a senior, has a flat face (bulldog, pug, French bulldog, Boston terrier, Shih Tzu), or has any pre-existing conditions. These dogs are at higher risk of complications.

How to Prevent Dog Colds

You can't fully prevent your dog from ever catching a cold, but you can reduce the risk and help them fight off illness when exposed:

• Keep vaccines current. Bordetella (kennel cough), canine influenza, and the core DA2PP vaccine all reduce respiratory illness risk.
• Avoid sick dogs. If a dog at the park is coughing, give them space. Same at daycare or boarding.
• Solid nutrition. A high-quality diet supports immune function. Look for "complete and balanced" on the label.
• Regular exercise. Active dogs tend to have better overall health and immunity.
• Quality sleep. Dogs need a quiet, dark place to get good rest. Same as humans.
• Stainless steel bowls. Clean better than plastic, less bacterial growth.
• Manage stress. Big changes (moving, new pets, owner travel) can lower immunity. Try to minimize disruption when possible.
• Regular vet checkups. Annual exams catch problems early.

Can Puppies Get Colds?

Yes, and puppies are at higher risk of complications than adult dogs. Their immune systems are still developing, and respiratory infections can escalate to pneumonia faster than in healthy adults.

If your puppy shows cold symptoms, especially if they're not yet fully vaccinated, call the vet sooner rather than later. The standard "wait a few days and see" approach for adult dogs doesn't apply, puppies need closer monitoring.

Can Senior Dogs Get Colds?

Yes. Senior dogs (typically 7+, depending on breed) have weaker immune systems and are more vulnerable to complications. The same advice applies: be more cautious, call the vet sooner, and don't try to wait out symptoms that linger or worsen.

The Short Version

Yes, dogs can get colds. Symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, mild cough, low energy) look a lot like human colds but are caused by dog-specific viruses, so they're not contagious between species. Most colds resolve in 5-10 days with rest, fluids, and bland food at home. Call the vet if symptoms worsen, your dog stops eating, breathing becomes labored, or you're dealing with a puppy or senior. Kennel cough (the goose-honk cough) and dog flu (more severe) look similar but need vet attention. Keep sick dogs away from other dogs, skip the dog park, and use a humidifier to help with congestion.