The use of home remedies can be very effective in treating colds in dogs. In this article, you’re going to learn how to spot the common cold in canines. You’ll also learn how and what natural remedies to use in treating them. If you’re a fan of treating sickness at home, this is for you.
Your pooch’s cold can spread and it’s not something to be taken lightly. If a cold goes untreated your dog’s condition can worsen. Don’t let this happen. If you have a lot of dogs, it’s best to keep the others from contracting the same illness.
What is a Canine Cold?
The common cold is a viral disease caused by viruses that are part of the parainfluenza family. The canine adenovirus can also be a cause. The area affected by this is the upper respiratory tract, often accompanied by sneezing and coughing.
Symptoms you see in dogs are similar to what humans experience. Running nose, coughing, and sneezing are present. The increase in body temperature will reflected by dogs showing signs of discomfort. Worsening of these symptoms means you need to pay a visit to the vet.
How You Can Help
First, make sure your dog is rested well. They’ll require more sleep than they usually get. You’ll also notice a loss in your dog’s appetite.
Next, make sure your dog is hydrated so always have water readily available. Water helps make the mucus thinner and it can help lower the body temperature of your pet.
Home Remedies You Can Use
Given your dog’s loss of appetite, you’ll need to serve them moist dog food. Use warm water approximately at 98.6º Fahrenheit (37º Celsius). This is a proven remedy that works.
A dog experiencing a cold has their metabolism speeding up. This means calorie intake should be high. But be careful – don’t suddenly change your dog’s diet as this may cause diarrhea.
If your dog has trouble breathing, then make sure that the environment is moist. Boiling some water or using a vaporizer or humidifier makes this possible. You can also add a scent like eucalyptus for better results.
Reducing You Dog’s Cough
Don’t make your dog exercise too much when they’re coughing. Also, avoid taking them outside if they’re an anxious dog. Their throat receives a lot of pressure too so either don’t take them out or use a looser collar or harness.
Reminders
These tips are just a few of the many things you can do to help your dog get through a common cold. Although helpful, one thing to keep in mind is how viral infections evolve. It’s ultimately up to your dog’s immune system to sort things out. All you can do is do keep your dog comfortable and help speed up the recovery.
If your dog’s condition doesn’t improve, there is only one person you can count on to help you: your veterinarian.
