Can Pets Get Human Flu or Colds?

When the whole family is sneezing in the monsoon or in Pune's January chill, and the dog starts sneezing too, it's natural to wonder if everyone caught the same thing. Usually they haven't.

Human colds and pets

Common colds in people are caused mostly by rhinoviruses and similar viruses that are adapted to humans. They don't infect dogs or cats in any meaningful way. Your cold isn't the reason your pet is sneezing.

Influenza is more complicated. Flu viruses can occasionally jump between species. There are documented cases of people passing influenza (for example the 2009 H1N1 strain) to pet cats, ferrets and occasionally dogs. These cases are rare, but they're a good reason for sensible hygiene when someone at home has flu.

Pet birds are a separate concern: some respiratory infections pass between birds and people. Psittacosis from birds can cause a flu-like illness in humans.

What pets actually catch

Dogs: "kennel cough" (canine infectious respiratory disease)

• A harsh, honking cough, often ending in a gag that owners mistake for "something stuck in the throat".
• Spread between dogs in boarding, grooming salons, parks and daycare.
• Caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, parainfluenza and other agents. Parainfluenza is part of the routine DHPPiL vaccine, and a separate kennel cough vaccine is available for dogs that board or groom regularly.

Cats: "cat flu" (upper respiratory infection)

• Sneezing, runny eyes and nose, mouth ulcers, fever and loss of appetite.
• Caused mainly by feline herpesvirus and calicivirus, both covered by the Tricat vaccine.
• Very common in kittens from shelters, pet shops and street rescues.
• Cats that can't smell their food stop eating, so a blocked nose is a bigger problem for cats than for people.

When to bring your pet in

• Sneezing or coughing for more than 2–3 days
• Thick yellow or green discharge from the nose or eyes
• Not eating (24 hours for a cat, shorter for kittens)
• Laboured or fast breathing at rest, or breathing with an open mouth (an emergency in cats)
• Fever, lethargy, or a cough in a puppy or a flat-faced breed (Pug, Shih Tzu, Persian)

Hygiene when someone at home is ill

• Wash hands before handling pets, food and bowls.
• Avoid face-to-face cuddling and sharing a bed while you have flu.
• Ideally, have a healthy family member feed and care for pets until you recover.
• Keep pet birds away from anyone who is sick, and keep cages clean and well ventilated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give my dog my cough syrup?
No. Many human cough and cold medicines contain ingredients (pseudoephedrine, paracetamol, some antihistamines, xylitol in syrups) that are toxic to pets.

My indoor cat never goes out. Can she still get cat flu?
Yes. Viruses come in on shoes, clothes and new pets, and many cats carry herpesvirus from kittenhood, which can flare up with stress. Vaccination is still recommended.

Should I steam my pet's room?
Sitting with your dog or cat in a steamy bathroom for 10–15 minutes can loosen nasal discharge. Never put your pet's face over a hot bowl of water.