Can Dogs And Cats Get Colds From Humans?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,


Pets can’t catch a cold from us

, but symptoms of the dreaded virus, such as sneezing, coughing, and runny/stuffy nose, can be pretty similar.

Can my dog or cat catch a cold from me?


Dogs are mostly safe from any interspecies transference. Cats, on the other hand, incur a bit more risk

. While a cat is unlikely to outright catch your rhinovirus-fueled cold, they can develop “cat flu” in the form of upper respiratory infections. Some studies also suggest H1N1 can make the jump from human to a feline.

Can I pass my cold to my cat?

Cold Symptoms in Cats

Although

cats can’t catch human colds

, they can develop symptoms similar to the human cold from other viruses.

Can cats pass a cold to a dog?


No, canines cannot catch a cold from felines

. Or at least, they are very, very unlikely to. This is because the bacteria and viruses that cause colds tend to be species-specific and stick to one kind of animal.

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.

How did my indoor cat catch a cold?

Cat colds can be viral or bacterial and are commonly passed between cats

through the droplets spread by sneezing

. Outdoor cats are much more susceptible to catching a cold due to their frequent contact with other cats.

Is cat flu contagious to dogs?

NO! Thankfully,

your dog cannot contract the flu from their feline neighborhood friend or housemate

.

How do I know if my cat is cold at night?

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 dogs get 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.

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.

Can dogs and cats share illness?

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.

Why are my dog and cat sneezing?

What’s Normal: An occasional sneeze from your dog or cat is a normal bodily process that is caused by

irritation within the nostrils

. Dogs and cats will sometimes “reverse sneeze” when the nasal passageways are irritated.

Can you catch virus from 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 catch upper 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.

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.

Are cat respiratory infections contagious to other cats?


A cat that has an acute upper respiratory infection will be infective to other cats during the incubation period and for up to three weeks after developing symptoms

.

Can humans and dogs pass viruses?

But

pets also carry certain bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that can cause illness if transmitted to humans

. Humans get these animal-borne diseases when they’re bitten or scratched or have contact with an animal’s waste, saliva, or dander.

What can I catch from my cat?

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

Can you get sick from a dog sneezing in your face?


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. Colds spread through saliva and aerosol droplets.

Can cats get Covid 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.

How can I treat my cats cold without going to the vet?

  1. Warm, humid air. Keep a humidifier near your cat, or take them into the bathroom with you as you shower to allow the steam to open their nasal passages.
  2. Soft, strong-smelling foods. Cat flu can affect your cat’s sense of smell and a sore throat can make eating uncomfortable. …
  3. Gentle face washing.

Why is my cat cold to the touch?


Colder Extremities

A cold cat’s extremities may feel cooler to the touch than normal, like the tips of his ears, tail, or nose. A cat in danger of hypothermia may become sluggish, with dilated pupils or shallow breathing. Symptoms like that may require immediate vet attention.

How do I know if my dog has cat flu?

Dogs that develop the disease show signs of the illness within 3 to 7 days. The signs may include

lethargy, vomiting, fever, and diarrhoea (usually bloody)

. Generally, the first sign of CPV is lethargy. Secondary signs are loss of weight and appetite or diarrhoea followed by vomiting.

Can you catch cat flu from your cat?


People can potentially get flu from a sick cat by touching virus-containing secretions from the cat and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth

. Also, sick cats may cough or sneeze, which can expel droplets containing the virus into the air that a person can breathe in or that can enter a person’s eyes, nose or mouth.

Can cats with cat flu go outside?

Have your cat vaccinated as soon as they are old enough (8-9 weeks) and continue regular vaccines throughout their lives.

Don’t let them outside until they have been fully vaccinated

.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.