The simple answer to this question is
yes
, but it is extremely rare. If you and your cat or dog are both sick at the same time, you may think you caught a cold from your pet, or vice versa. Some symptoms are certainly similar.
Is it possible to catch a cold from a cat?
What You Can’t Catch From Your Pet. The viruses that give animals things like coughs, colds, and the flu are different from the ones that cause these illnesses in people, and they don’t spread back and forth between humans and animals.
Can you catch a cold from your cat or dog?
The simple answer to this question is
yes
, but it is extremely rare. If you and your cat or dog are both sick at the same time, you may think you caught a cold from your pet, or vice versa. Some symptoms are certainly similar.
Can you catch a cold from your dog?
You can’t get a cold or the flu
from your dog
“The viruses that cause common colds have, over time, become specifically adapted to living in people — not dogs,” explains Dr. Long. “This means that the common cold can’t be passed between you and your dog.”
Can animals pass a cold to humans?
No
, your pet can’t catch your cold
That’s because the viruses that cause the common cold in people are species-specific. In other words, in the case of the cold, they can infect only humans.
Can I get sick from my cat sneezing on me?
Cats also can get
a herpes virus
that can cause upper respiratory problems, including sneezing. This virus can be spread to people by contact with the discharge, and can cause some irritation. If you follow proper cleanliness after handling your sneezing cats, your risk for exposure is minimal.
Can you catch a virus from a cat?
The answer is
yes
. There are actually a number of diseases you can contract catch from your cat, known broadly as zoonotic diseases. The word “zoonotic” is used to describe any disease that is transmittable from animals to humans.
Can my dog catch anything from my cat?
YES! People may think because dogs usually catch respiratory infections or kennel cough from kennels, that it must come from dogs. But, in actual fact,
dogs absolutely can catch the infection from cats too!
Read on to better understand the symptoms, how the infection spreads, and the treatment options.
Can cats catch Covid?
Pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been
infected
with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.
Can humans catch respiratory infections from cats?
Much like humans, cats can contract viruses that cause upper respiratory infections and show many of the same cold symptoms that we do. However, it’s important to note that
you can’t catch a cold from your cat
since the viruses that affect felines don’t affect humans.
Can dogs catch URI from cats?
Fortunately, the viruses that
cause feline URIs are not contagious to dogs and people
. However, remember to vaccinate your cat and regularly visit your veterinarian to prevent your furry friend from developing a URI.
Does my cat have cat flu?
Signs of cat flu can include
cat sneezing
, a runny nose, sore eyes, dribbling, subdued behaviour, loss of appetite, eye and mouth ulcers and a cough. While it can affect cats of all ages, it tends to be particularly severe in kittens.
Can I catch a cough from my dog?
While it’s possible to contract kennel cough from a dog or other pet,
it’s also unlikely
. People with underlying medical conditions are most at risk. The best way to protect against kennel cough is to make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations.
Can you get sick from a sick cat?
Although cats are great companions, cat owners should be aware that sometimes
cats can carry harmful germs
that can cause a variety of illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to serious illnesses.
How did my indoor cat catch a cold?
These pathogens are usually airborne but can also be spread through water. Most cats catch colds
by being close to a cat that is already sick
. This makes places with lots of cats in close quarters, such as a shelter, boarding kennel, or cattery, prime spots for transmitting colds.
Short answer:
Probably not
. The transmission of the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, is primarily from person to person.
