Can Humans Get Colds From Cats And Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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In humans, the cold virus is usually a rhinovirus, though there are a few other culprits. These viruses are specific only to humans, and

cannot be passed to dogs or cats

. Similarly, dog and cat viruses cannot be passed to humans.

Can you catch a cold from a 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 a human catch a cold from a pet?


Dog colds are not contagious to humans

. You can’t catch a cold from your dog, any more than your dog can pick up a human strain of a cold virus from you. However, dog colds and influenza are highly contagious between dogs, which means we have to be careful not to help transmit the germs.

Can I catch cold from my 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 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 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 cats get Covid 19 symptoms?

Pets that do have symptoms usually have mild illness that you can take care of at home. Pets sick with the virus that causes COVID-19 may have:

Fever

.

Coughing

.

Can you get 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. The best known and most feared example of a zoonotic disease is rabies.

Can I catch a virus from my 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

.

Can humans get 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 I catch a respiratory infection from my cat?

Bordetella bronchiseptica, the small aerobic coccobacilli that cause kennel cough,

can be transmitted from both cats and dogs to humans through respiratory droplet transmission

. However, zoonotic transmission is uncommon, unless human patients are immunocompromised.

What can I catch from my cat?

  • Campylobacteriosis.
  • Cat scratch disease.
  • Cat tapeworm.
  • Cryptosporidiosis.
  • Giardiasis.
  • Hookworm.
  • Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus (MRSA)
  • Rabies.

Can a dog catch an upper respiratory infection from a cat?

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.

Can a dog make a cat sick?

The answer to both of those questions is yes. For example, did you know

cats can get dog flu

? The University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine recently reported that both species can become ill from a newly identified strain of canine influenza virus, H3N2.

Can cats and dogs share viruses?

YES! There are certainly some diseases your cat can pass on to you or to the other pets in your house. But not everything your cat may have is going to be shared with the family dog.

Some serious diseases can be passed from your cat to your dog and vice versa.

Is it OK for dogs and cats to share water?

There isn’t any medical reason why cats and dogs can’t share a bowl of water. In fact,

it’s completely safe for cats and dogs to share their water

. It’s just that cats are picky! In the wild, cats will hunt their food and eat it alone, it’s just the way that they are.

Can I get sick if my dog sneezes on me?

The good news is that

most common illnesses you’re familiar with, such as common colds and the flu, don’t affect humans and pets in the same way

. So you don’t have to worry about giving your cat a cold or your dog giving you the flu.

What animals can get Covid?

Recent experimental research shows that many mammals, including

cats, dogs, bank voles, ferrets, fruit bats, hamsters, mink, pigs, rabbits, racoon dogs, tree shrews, and white-tailed deer

can be infected with the virus.

How long does Covid last in cats?

In the naturally occurring case of feline COVID-19 from Belgium, the cat developed GI and respiratory problems and recovered within

nine days

. In the two cats from New York, both had mild respiratory illness and are expected to make a full recovery.

How long is someone contagious with Covid?

According to the CDC, if you have mild to moderate COVID-19, you may be contagious for

10 days from the first day you noticed symptoms

. If you were severely affected or critically ill from COVID-19, you may stay infectious for up to 20 days from the start of your symptoms.

Do cats carry germs from litter box?

Cats keep themselves pretty clean — much cleaner than dogs. But they’re still using those paws in the litterbox, and walking around on them too, which raises the potential that they’re picking up dangerous germs and bacteria and tracking them across your kitchen counters.

Can my cat get sick from a stray cat?


Stray kittens can also carry various infectious diseases that can be transmitted to other cats in the household, such as feline leukemia virus, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus

. Overall, the risks from adopting stray kittens are low, but they are real.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.