Do Your Dog And Cat Pets Get Sick Like You?
Dogs and cats can get sick too. They can catch a cold or get the flu just like you and I can, however, they cannot transmit the virus to you or vice-versa.
Cats and dogs get runny noses, even sneeze and sometimes cough, they can also run fevers as well. You can check your pets temperature by inserting a rectal thermometer into their rectum just as you check a baby’s temperature, although they will not like it and may attempt to scratch or bite you.
So although your pet’s symptoms are the same as a humans when they are sick, there is one thing that is different and that is the actual virus that is causing their illness. Bacteria and viruses are host species specific and in order to jump from one species to another would require a dramatic mutation so the chances of you catching a cold or flu from your pet (or any illness for that matter) or your pet catching it from you are virtually impossible.
There are some things that are the same between humans and their pets while being sick, and this includes lack of energy, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, discharge or crust in the eyes and sleeping a lot.
Do the same things for your pet that you would do for yourself. Make sure they have plenty of water, let them rest (don’t try to play with them, roughhouse, or drag them out for walks more than they need to go. Offer them something to eat besides their regular plain dog or cat food (like meat or fish) so that they at least have some nutrients in their system, because they need them for energy and to get better.
And just as any human would do, seek medical attention for them if they don’t get better in a few days. A trip to the vet may be necessary.
