Dogs don’t catch the same “common cold” virus that humans do, but they can get their own dog-specific respiratory infections that look very similar to a cold.

Quick Scoop

  • Dogs can develop runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and low energy from canine viruses and bacteria, sometimes called a “dog cold,” but it’s not the human cold.
  • The germs that cause human colds are largely species-specific, so it is very unlikely you’ll give your dog your cold or catch one from them.
  • Dog “colds” are often caused by things like canine parainfluenza, canine adenovirus, or Bordetella (kennel cough), which spread between dogs through close contact, shared bowls/toys, or airborne droplets.
  • Mild cases may clear up on their own, but because symptoms overlap with more serious illnesses (like canine flu or pneumonia), a vet check is recommended if your dog is very tired, has trouble breathing, stops eating, or doesn’t improve in a couple of days.
  • Never give human cold medicine to a dog, as many common ingredients are dangerous for pets; treatment and safe meds should always be guided by a veterinarian.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.