How To Treat A Cold In A Dog
Introduction
Did you know dogs can get colds, just like humans do? It’s true, but they don’t seem to catch them as much or as often as we do. This means that it might be tricky to figure out if your dog is sick with a cold and what you should do about it. For example, dogs can have allergies that look like a cold and could potentially be serious. So if you notice some cold-like symptoms in your dog, then it’s important that you know what to do next.
Take a trip to your veterinarian.
When in doubt, the best thing to do is call your veterinarian. They will be able to help you decide whether or not your dog needs medication and, if so, what kind of medicine they should take.
Make sure you know what signs to look for to determine if your dog has a cold.
- Runny nose and nasal discharge
- Sneezing, coughing and wheezing
A runny nose, sneezing, coughing or wheezing can all be signs of a cold in dogs. If you notice these symptoms in your dog then it is important to get him to the vet as soon as possible. If your dog has a bacterial infection he may also have a fever so it’s important that you check his temperature regularly.
Keep your dog comfortable.
It’s your job to help keep your dog comfortable while he or she is sick. Here are some ways you can do that:
- Give your dog a warm, dry place to sleep. Your dog may want to curl up with you under the covers instead of taking a nap in his own bed, but that’s okay—just make sure he doesn’t get too hot by leaving him in a sunny spot.
- Give your dog extra attention and love when he’s feeling under the weather. Even if it seems like all you do is clean up after your sick pup, make sure that these acts of care get recognized! If possible, try giving them extra treats or playing games with them when they’re not feeling well so they know how much better things can be when they don’t have a cold anymore (or at least until their next round).
- Make sure their food and water bowls are clean. You should always keep these things clean anyway but it’s really important during cold season because bacteria can grow inside them if they aren’t cleaned regularly enough which could make matters worse for both people as well as animals alike! So…make sure these areas are always sanitized properly before placing anything into them again.”
Help your dog keep his nose moist.
You can help your dog keep his nose moist by using a saline solution.
Saline solutions have a chemical base (sodium chloride) that draws moisture from the air and into the mucous membranes of the body to prevent them from drying out. You can use a saline solution at home or purchase one over-the-counter at your local pharmacy or grocery store. You can also use a humidifier or vaporizer to keep your dog’s nose moist while he’s sick with a cold.
Vaporizers and cool-mist humidifiers are devices that produce warm, moist air that creates humidity in the air around them. This helps relieve congestion and watery eyes caused by excess mucus production in dogs with colds, which may mean less coughing too!
Give your dog some honey.
Honey is a natural remedy for coughs and sore throats. It also contains antioxidants that help boost the immune system. It can be given to dogs in small amounts, but only if they are not allergic to bees or honey.
Steer clear of medications – unless given by the vet – especially aspirin and ibuprofen.
There are many medications that can treat cold symptoms in dogs, but there are also several that should be avoided. Aspirin and ibuprofen have been implicated in causing stomach ulcers and other ailments in dogs, so it’s best not to give these medicines to your pet. You should also refrain from using cough medication, which can cause heart problems for animals with a sensitive respiratory system.
Instead of using human medications or over-the-counter remedies for colds, you might want to consider contacting your vet about antibiotics or antihistamines if your dog has pneumonia or bronchitis. Your vet will be able to assess whether cough syrup is appropriate for your pet’s symptoms as well as offer advice on other treatments they recommend (such as decongestants).
Remember that dogs have colds too, but they don’t seem to get them as often as us humans do so it can be tricky to know when they are sick.
Remember that dogs have colds too, but they don’t seem to get them as often as us humans do so it can be tricky to know when they are sick.
If your dog is coughing or sneezing, he could be suffering from a minor respiratory infection and you may need to take him to see the vet. Here are some of the signs of a cold in a dog:
- A runny nose
- Sneezing
- Tenderness of the throat (they tend not to show this sign)
If you think your dog has caught something nasty, act fast! A vet will prescribe medication for him and should be able to help him recover quickly.
Conclusion
Once your dog is feeling well again, it will be important to make sure he or she stays healthy. This means keeping up with regular vet visits, making sure the vaccinations are up to date, and always keeping a watchful eye on your dog. If you notice something that doesn’t seem right – whether it’s a slight limp in the walk or a new skin irritation – let your veterinarian know right away so they can give proper treatment before things escalate into something worse than just having