Can My Pet Catch A Cold?

When you are sick, you know you can count on your furry friend to be right there with you through it all. As a pet owner in Bloomington, IL, you may be curious whether your pet can catch common sicknesses like a cold the way you can. The team at Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital shares some information about pets and colds below.

What Is a Cold?

A cold tends to be identified by watery eyes, runny noses, sneezing, coughing, congestion, and/or itchy throat. While pets cannot catch colds from humans, they can suffer from their own version of the cold.

What are the Symptoms of a Pet Cold?

Your dog or cat can indeed catch a cold, and their symptoms are very similar to those of the symptoms we experience as humans. They may have labored breathing as a result of congestion, nasal discharge, watery eyes, sneezing, and lethargy. As a general rule, cold symptoms can last roughly a week, give or take a couple of days.

Can a Pet Recover on Its Own? 

In many cases, you can care for your pet in the comfort of your own home. However, there are instances when a visit to the local veterinarian is necessary. When taking care of your pet at home and allowing your cat or dog to recover on its own, you will want to keep your pet comfortable with warm air, access to fresh water, and wiping nasal discharge away. If you notice your pet is having a lot of trouble breathing, appears to be in pain, or stops drinking/eating, contact a Bloomington, IL, veterinarian to get your pet checked out.

Contact Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital 

If you are worried about your pet and common sicknesses, contact the team at Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital in Bloomington, IL, to schedule an appointment. Call us at (309) 663-1414 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.