Dogs can get sick from humans in some situations, but it is relatively uncommon and usually involves specific germs rather than everyday colds.

Quick Scoop

  • Most human colds and flu viruses do not infect dogs , so if you have a standard cold, your pup is unlikely to catch that same virus from you.
  • However, some viruses and bacteria can move from humans to dogs , a process called reverse zoonosis (germs going from people to animals).
  • Good hygiene (handwashing, not coughing directly on your dog, avoiding face licking when you’re ill) helps reduce any small risk.

When dogs can catch things from humans

A few examples where transmission is possible:

  • Certain flu strains: Research shows some human influenza strains (like 2009 H1N1 and some H3N2 variants) can infect dogs, though dogs often don’t get very sick.
  • Bacterial infections:
    • Salmonella (food poisoning) can pass from an infected person to a dog via poor hand hygiene and contact with the dog’s mouth or food.
* **MRSA** (antibiotic‑resistant Staph) can move from colonized or infected humans to dogs and cause skin, respiratory, or urinary infections.
  • Other germs like some intestinal bacteria and parasites can occasionally be shared between people and dogs, though this is still considered relatively rare.

What dogs don’t usually catch from humans

  • Typical human colds (rhinovirus) do not infect dogs, even though dogs have their own “cold‑like” illnesses (like kennel cough) that just act similarly.
  • Human herpes (HSV‑1, HSV‑2) does not infect dogs; dogs have their own canine herpesvirus that is separate.

COVID‑19 and dogs

  • Dogs can be infected with SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID‑19) from humans , but reported cases are rare and usually mild.
  • Health authorities emphasize that pets are not major drivers of COVID spread, but sick owners are generally advised to limit close face‑to‑face contact with pets as a precaution.

When to call the vet

Contact a vet promptly if your dog:

  1. Has vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or lethargy and you’ve recently been sick with a stomach bug, flu, COVID, or a significant bacterial infection.
  1. Shows skin infections, non‑healing wounds, or urinary issues and someone in the home has MRSA or another serious infection.

If you’re ill, basic precautions—handwashing, avoiding sharing utensils/plates, and limiting direct face licking—are usually enough to protect your dog while you recover.

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