Mary Allen
As soon as the temperature drops and it becomes uncomfortable outside, many pet owners worry about the health of their pets. Experience shows that the cold season for us humans begins with cold and damp weather. But what about our animal neighbors? They are often more reliable than we think. However, it is clear that cold and dampness can also weaken our pets’ immune systems. In particular, older animals can get sick faster in winter. Young and healthy animals usually do not catch colds in the classical sense but infect other species.
The First Signs of a Cold in Animals
Who doesn’t know: You have a sore throat, a runny nose and you want to crawl into bed. Hoarseness, runny nose, and sore throat are usually the first harbingers of a cold. Sick pets have very similar symptoms. You can often recognize the onset of a cold in animals by the fact that your four-legged friends are noticeably tired and show reduced appetite. Frequent sneezing, breathing noises, and lacrimation also occur.
Not only dogs and cats can catch a cold, but also small animals and birds. Please always remember that exhaustion and refusal to eat can also indicate other serious and in some cases even life-threatening illnesses. Therefore, as soon as symptoms persist for a long time, you should definitely see your veterinarian.
You Can Do This for Colds in Animals
If you have a mild cold, chances are it will go away on its own. However, this takes time and rest. With a sick dog, you should not take long walks in the cold, but rather make small circles. If it rains or snows, you should towel dry afterward. The same is, of course, for free access cats that come home wet. Dry heated air can worsen symptoms in all pets. If there is heating, you can hang up wet towels or install an indoor fountain to increase the humidity in the room.
If symptoms do not improve or even worsen, a visit to the veterinarian is imminent. At worst, a relatively harmless animal cold can develop into life-threatening pneumonia. Even if you’re not sure how bad your pet’s condition really is, you shouldn’t shy away from visiting your veterinarian.
Here’s How You Can Prevent Your Dog’s Cold
Of course, colds in animals cannot always be prevented. However, there are several things you can do to protect your pet’s health. For example, dogs should not sit or lie down for long periods of time in cold temperatures. Otherwise, four-legged friends, like us humans, can quickly develop cystitis. In the warm winter, it is best to have long conversations with other dog owners. Especially after playing, the dog can quickly cool down and catch a cold faster.
In winter, a few short walks are recommended for most dog breeds instead of a few hours. With sturdy and cold-loving breeds such as the Siberian Husky, the trip to the nearest park or forest may take a little longer. Four-legged friends, whose coat is very short and does not have an undercoat, can and should be protected from snow and ice with a waterproof dog’s coat. If your dog gets wet while playing, it should be thoroughly dried after a walk and allowed to warm up.
Here’s How to Prevent Colds in Cats and Small Animals
Free access cats who cannot return to the warm house need a dry and insulated shelter. For example, you can install a sufficiently insulated box on a balcony or terrace, in which a velvet foot can get comfortable.
Rabbits tolerate cold better than guinea pigs, and can also spend the winter in an open cage. However, they also need a shelter in which they can snuggle together in cold weather. Otherwise, eared rabbits can quickly get sick with a rabbit cold. Bring old or weakened animals to a protected place at sub-zero temperatures. Rabbits that are temporarily housed in an apartment can only return to an open enclosure at a moderate temperature.
In animals with osteoarthritis or similar diseases, it should also be remembered that cold tends to worsen symptoms. Therefore, dogs with joint problems should be taken outside for a short time at low temperatures and, if possible, additionally protected with dog clothing.
This is Worth Paying Attention to If You Yourself Have a Cold
Pet owners often ask if there is a risk of infection if they are sick themselves. Unfortunately, there is no clear answer. Fortunately, we cannot give our pets the flu, but we can get the common cold. However, the likelihood of infection is very low, especially in healthy and young animals. However, if you have a cold, you should not squeeze your four-legged friends too much. But this does not mean that they need to be kicked out of the living room. Chronically sick, old, and weakened animals are more susceptible, so you should keep a distance from them. When you recuperate, you can, of course, hug again to your heart’s content. After all, what could be more pleasant in the cold season than to warm each other?