How to Treat a Dog with a Cold

A dog with a cold may lack the energy to play.

Dogs, like their human companions, can contract viral infections that cause coldlike symptoms. Common cold-related problems include lethargy, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing and sneezing. Though a trip to the veterinarian may become necessary to treat the infection with antibiotics, often these respiratory illnesses can be treated with supportive care at home. Providing your pet with the rest and the nutritional support to get over the cold is the best care you can provide.

Things You'll Need

• Food
• Vitamin Supplement
• Electrolytes

Instructions

1. Provide your dog with as much food and water as it wants while it is sick. It is important that the dog's body has the energy to fight off the infection. They need plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

2. Watch for signs of dehydration. Buy a sports drink, or electrolyte mix to add to their water and replace fluids that they may be losing to increased mucus production. Check with your vet to make sure the ingredients are safe for your dog.

3. Give the dog warm broth if it acts uninterested in food. This will provide some caloric intake and will be soothing to the dog's throat. The heat may also help to clear excess mucus from the dog's airway.

4. Put the dog in the bathroom with the hot water running for about 10 minutes. This will moisten the mucus passages and may make the dog's cough more productive, helping break up the congestion in his airways.

Tips & Warnings

• Puppies, elderly dogs and dogs who show no improvement after 14 days should be taken to see their regular veterinarian. In some cases a cold can turn into a bacterial infection that will require antibiotics to clear up. Also, some coldlike symptoms can be caused by an allergic reaction to an airborne pathogen. Dogs who suffer from seasonal allergies will be prescribed an antihistamine.

References

• "Clinical Medicine of the Dog and Cat"; Michael Schaer; 2010
• "What's Wrong With My Dog: A Pet Owner's Guide To 150 Symptoms and What to Do About Them"; Jake Tedaldi; 2007
• The Dog Health Guide": Dog Cold Symptoms
• My Dog Health Care; How To Treat A Dog With A Cold; Dr. James Talbott; October 2010

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Read this Article in Spanish