What helps when the dog has a cold?
Just like you, your dog can catch a cold. Because the cold and wet weather in winter does not leave your four-legged friend unaffected. It is therefore not unusual for your dog's nose to suddenly run or his eyes to water because of a cold.
In the following, we will explain how you can recognise a dog with a cold and how you can support its recovery. We also give you tips on how you can give your four-legged friend the best possible support during the cold season and thus prevent a cold.
How does a dog catch a cold?
If your dog has a cold, there can be various reasons for this. In most cases, however, it is primarily a weakened immune system that makes the infection possible in the first place. Apart from this, the risk of your dog catching cold increases considerably if, for example, you do not dry off your dog properly after walking in wet and cold weather.
In this context, you should also bear in mind that short-haired dogs are generally much more sensitive to cold than breeds with a long coat. To reduce the likelihood of catching a cold, it may therefore be advisable to avoid long walks in winter.
How do you recognise a dog with a cold?
When a dog has a cold, it is very similar to a person with a cold. Sniffing, sneezing and a runny nose are also typical cold symptoms for dogs.
It is also possible that your dog is coughing and choking and you may notice rattling noises in his breathing or a slowed or accelerated breathing. Other possible signs of a cold are watery eyes and frequent rubbing of the nose.
Apart from this, a somewhat more severe infection can sometimes also cause your dog to develop a fever, making him look remarkably tired and exhausted.
How to treat a dog with a cold?
A dog with a cold does not necessarily have to go to the vet. In most cases, a normal cold can be easily treated without veterinary assistance. However, if symptoms such as fever, purulent nasal discharge or very severe coughing occur, it may be advisable to consult a vet.
The vet will first examine your dog to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. Once this has been done, they may prescribe a cough suppressant and a remedy for fever, as well as antibiotics, if necessary.
However, this is often not necessary and you can easily get your dog's cold under control as follows
- Make sure that your dog gets enough rest and doesn't run around all the time.
- Make sure that your dog is nice and warm.
- Clean your dog's running nose at regular intervals.
- Fresh air should not be missing, although walks should be rather short.
- Make sure to thoroughly dry off your cold dog after walking him.
- Always provide your dog with fresh water and encourage him to drink, if necessary.
- Inhalations of chamomile can help to soothe the respiratory tract irritated by your dog's cold.
- A humidifier can often be set up in the home to combat dog coughs.
- With Bellfor Immun, you can strengthen your dog's immune system and thus support its recovery.
Can a cold dog infect people?
In theory, a dog with a cold can also infect people. In reality, however, this is extremely unlikely. However, the situation is different for other dogs living in the same household. In order to avoid infection, they should therefore be kept at a distance if possible until the dog has recovered from the cold.
How can you prevent a cold in your dog?
Whether your dog will catch a slight cold in winter depends mainly on his general state of health. The better his immune system works, the easier he can cope with cold and wet weather without catching a cold.
When autumn is just around the corner, it is, therefore, advisable to pay a little attention to the dog's immune system and support it with appropriate measures.
You should also be aware that your dog may be more, or less sensitive to cold, depending on the breed. Hours of walking in the snow with a Chihuahua or a pug, for example, are a very bad idea. A husky, on the other hand, will feel completely comfortable and will probably enjoy the trip in the cold to the full.
If you want to prevent your dog from catching a cold, walks adapted to his needs during the cold months of the year are a crucial factor.
Natural support for the immune system
Strong defences are of crucial importance for your four-legged friend. They not only ensure that your dog catches colds less frequently but also significantly reduce the risk of numerous other dog diseases.
To support the immune system and thus reduce the likelihood of your dog catching a cold, we recommend a dietary supplement with Bellfor Immun. Bellfor Immun is a natural preparation made from carefully selected ingredients, such as insect protein from the larvae of black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens), sea buckthorn and rosehip.
This easily-digestible food supplement provides your dog with important amino acids as well as vitamins and minerals. In this way, Bellfor Immun can help strengthen your dog's defences and prevent colds or promote recovery from existing infections.
Our conclusion on the subject of colds in dogs
As you can see, a cold is usually harmless for your dog. Nevertheless, the discomfort associated with it is naturally unpleasant, which is why you should counteract the infection as soon as possible.
If your cold dog develops a fever or his condition worsens in any other way, a visit to the vet is of course advisable.
Regardless of this, we recommend Bellfor Immun as a food supplement during the colder months of the year. This easily digestible product supports the immune system and thus helps to reduce the likelihood of your dog catching a cold.
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