How to Take Care of My Dog When It Has Cold??

Dogs are very faithful and playful animals and that is the reason why people love to have them as pets. If you notice some unusual behavior or dullness and lethargy in your beloved pet, you can easily come to know that your dog is sick. In case, you find any of these symptoms, then you will know that your furry friend has caught cold:-

The symptoms usually seen are-

• He is dull and lethargic
• Has runny nose and is flaring nose
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Able to breathe only in standing position
• Keeping elbows away from the body
• Extended head and neck

The puppies are more prone to colds, but even adults can get it. One tends to get worried over sick dog and is asking friends, “my dog is suffering from cold – what to do”?

When your cuddly dog shows symptoms of cold, it is necessary to provide good care and a visit to the veterinarian. Many pet owners can also try home remedies, as they have been found to be very helpful in curing your dog. Usually a little bit of treatment cures cold, but be careful that dog cold symptoms may often be a sign of other ailments, and it’s very important to have your pet checked by a vet to be sure that it’s just a cold and nothing more serious. If your vet confirms that then care at home is the best way to treat, some easy remedies of dog cold are-

Chicken Soup is best

This may sound unusual, but lukewarm chicken soup is very beneficial for humans and in the same way it helps dog’s to get over a cold. Chicken soup and chicken breast with brown rice will give it the necessary the strength and nutrition to fight off the cold. Chicken soup also works in keeping your dog hydrated, its immune system gets strengthened too. It is also easier for your dog to eat and digest when he’s weak.

Inhalation to soothe

Like human beings, the steam will relieve the nasal irritation of your pet and it kills the germs and viruses around, breathing becomes easy. Treat it just like a baby while giving it steam. If there is no other way, then one can run hot water tap in the bathroom and make it stand to inhale the steam for at least 10 minutes. If you have humidifier then that’s the best as decongestants or essential oils make breathing easier.

Increase Fluid Intake and vitamin C

Cleansing is the best remedy for any kind of ailment as it helps in cleansing. Fluids keep sick dog hydrated and immunity level strong. You can give it vitamin C mixed in its food. Giving baby carrots and slice of apple too makes sense.

Resting is Best

The dog in any case is not going to be too active when suffering from cold, but still make sure that it gets sufficient rest. Make sure to keep its resting place clean of any dust and make it comfortable with a blanket. During winter time, it is advisable to keep the area warm with a heater or a water bottle.

Generally the dogs catch cold from other dogs, the viruses of dog and human cold are different, so they can’t contract cold from each other. If yours is a multi dog household, then make sure to keep ailing pet separate from the rest or others may get infected too.

If after all these steps, the dog shows further signs of deterioration like-

• Rattling in the chest
• Obvious discomfort
• Stops intake of liquid

Then it is time to rush to the vet, who may put your dog on antibiotics. One needs to be prepared that antibiotics will make your dog dull as its immune system is trying to fight viruses. Only a vet can tell if it is a problem of common cold or the dog is developing pneumonia. He will take X-ray too to overrule all possibilities.