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Your dog has a cold? This is what you can do

In winter it is cold and often wet. This bothers our dogs just as much as ourselves. It is therefore hardly surprising that your dog can catch a cold, too. In the following we will explain which symptoms are associated with the infection, when the cold in your dog is a case for the veterinarian and which treatment measures help.

Your dog has a cold

What is a cold and why do dogs catch it? 

Several viral infections are summarised under the term „common cold“. In us humans, it is mostly rhinoviruses that are responsible for the common cold. Other pathogens among cold viruses are, for example, the respiratory syncytial virus as well as influenza and coronaviruses.


The symptoms caused by an infection with one of the pathogens mentioned above are always very similar. These include coughing, a runny nose, frequent sneezing or a sore throat and general exhaustion.


Dogs are no different. They too can catch a cold from an infection with a number of different viruses. The symptoms are often similar to those that a cold causes in us humans. However, depending on the pathogen responsible, they can vary in severity. If your dog has a cold, you should therefore take the matter seriously and be prepared to consult a veterinarian promptly if necessary


In our article on the causes, symptoms, and prevention of a cold in dogs, we take a closer look at the reasons why dogs can catch a cold.

When does a dog with a cold need a vet?

Fortunately, a cold in dogs is often harmless. Depending on the severity of the infection, it may however be necessary to take the sick four-legged friend to a veterinarian so that they can examine the animal and determine appropriate treatment measures if required.


As long as your dog with a cold only coughs occasionally, has a runny nose and seems generally under the weather, you can usually assume that the infection is harmless. In this case, it is sufficient to let the animal rest at home for a few days. With a little tender love and care, it shouldn't take long for your dog to get well again.


If, on the other hand, the infection is accompanied by more severe symptoms or if your dog's cold symptoms do not subside after several days, you should definitely contact a veterinarian.

You should take your dog to a vet if it displays any of the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Ear infection
  • Incessant sneezing
  • A strong cough
  • Purulent nasal discharge
  • Fever
  • Persistent refusal to feed

Some of the symptoms mentioned can point to a more serious cause than a simple cold. For example, a loud and dry cough can be triggered by an infection with kennel cough. A high fever can in the worst case be life-threatening for your four-legged friend and an ear infection is of course extremely painful for the dog.

Does a dog with a cold need medication?

Usually it is not necessary to treat a cold in a dog with medication. However, depending on the severity of the symptoms and their exact trigger, the veterinarian might prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms, such as antipyretic drugs, cough medicine or antibiotics. If this is the case, you must of course follow the veterinarian's instructions exactly.


Medicines from your own medicine cabinet, on the other hand, are off limits for your dog, because medicines intended for humans can be harmful and in some cases even life-threatening for your four-legged friend.

This is how you can help you dog with a cold at home

If your dog's cold symptoms are not severe, there is no need for a visit to the veterinarian. In this case it is sufficient to support its recovery with a few tried and tested measures and home remedies.

The following tips will help your dog with a cold get back on its feet soon:

  • A dog with a cold needs to rest. So make sure it gets enough sleep and restrict playing for a while.
  • To keep your four-legged friend warm, provide it with an additional blanket at its sleeping place.
  • Offer your dog plenty of fluids to drink. Warm chicken broth is a good choice for this purpose.
  • Make sure that your dog is supplied with adequate nutrients by feeding it  high-quality dog food like the products from Bellfor.
  • Keep your dog dry. After a walk in the rain, you should dry it off thoroughly.
  • Even if you yourself appreciate a bath when you have a cold, you should not bathe your dog in this case.
  • Keep walks short. Fresh air is definitely good for your dog. However, too much of it only makes the discomfort worse.
  • Steam inhalations with chamomile or sea salt as well as a humidifier can help against coughing.
  • If your dog has a cold, make sure that it keeps a distance from other dogs so that it cannot infect them.

Implement the measures listed and keep a close eye on your dog in the following days. Furthermore, take its temperature at regular intervals. If you don't know what to look for in the process, this article provides an explanation and advice on the subject. Usually, the symptoms of the cold will subside quickly. If this is not the case, you should contact a veterinarian to be on the safe side.

How can I reduce the risk of my dog catching a cold?

Hund erkältet? Das können Sie tun

Your dog is exposed to viruses and other pathogens every day, just like you. In a healthy animal, these are in most cases neutralised by the immune system before they can cause disease.


However, if the immune system of your four-legged friend is weakened, it becomes susceptible to infections, and cold viruses, amongst others, are more likely to cause discomfort.


If you want to prevent your dog from catching a cold, you must first and foremost ensure that its immune system works as well as possible. For advice that can help you with this, see this article:


A cold in dogs: causes, symptoms and prevention

Our advice for dogs with a cold

Dogs are particularly susceptible to colds when their immune system is weak. This is because a weakened immune system reduces the body's ability to fend off invading pathogens, which obviously also include cold viruses. Therefore, if you want to avoid your dog catching a cold, it is important that it has have a functioning immune system.


A balanced diet that provides your four-legged friend with all the important nutrients and the avoidance of excessive stress are key factors in this context.


In addition, we recommend that you offer a dietary supplement with Bellfor Immun. Bellfor Immun is a 100% natural preparation which, in addition to propolis and insect protein, also contains various well-known medicinal plants.


Thanks to its carefully coordinated recipe, Bellfor Immun provides your dog's body with high-quality amino acids as well as important vitamins and minerals that it desperately needs for a strong immune system.


Bellfor Immun is not only available as a powder, but also, for example, in the form of tasty soft snacks. The food supplement can make a valuable contribution to strengthening the immune system in the cold season and thus reduce the risk of colds in your four-legged friend or support a quick recovery in dogs who already have a cold.


Get to know Bellfor Immun in our shop

A cold in a dog – our conclusion

It's not uncommon for a dog to catch a cold in winter. Fortunately you usually don't have to worry too much about it. However, if the symptoms persist or symptoms such as fever or an ear infection add to the normal cold symptoms, a visit to the vet is definitely advisable.


Otherwise you can assume that with enough rest and warmth your dog should soon be healthy and agile again. In addition, we recommend that you support your four-legged friend's body defences with Bellfor Immun and contribute to their recovery that way.


The natural food supplement is suitable for dogs that already have a cold as well as for prevention in order to reduce the risk of colds in the cold season.

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