Can dogs catch flu virus from us humans?

[Mayblossom]

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I’ve been ill for over a week with the flu, hubby had it just before me and now Lily, our terrier, has developed a little cough. She’s fine in herself and vet says give her a couple of days as it usually clears up...if not bring her in for a check up. Having a google some info says yes, they can catch stuff from us and others say no. Our home has had continual germs for a couple of weeks now with this awful flu so surely it may affect them ? Hubby and me have both had the flu jab but obviously not for the strain that we’ve contacted can’t ever remember feeling so poorly.

 

[arealhuman]

That's the trouble with stuff online; often conflicting and/or lack of credible sources. I don't know the answer I'm afraid, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly.....

 

[JudyN]

I've also had a Google and come to the conclusion... maybe I hope you're better soon - DS2 had the flu over New Year and could barely get out of bed for a few days.

 

[June Jonigk]

I had this with my dogs when the Beijing flu epidemic hit. I didn’t catch it, but my husband was quite ill with it. Our dogs all got runny noses, dripping watery like drips from the ends of their noses. I worked for a vet at the time, and he said it is said that dogs don’t catch colds and viruses from us, but it was now thought that they could get it in a milder form. All cleared up without treatment after.

 

[Violet Turner]

No a dog cannot catch the flu from humans, this is because the common cold is spread species specific. And a dog can pass a cold onto another dog. Kennel cough can be passed onto other dogs by another dog with kennel cough drinking from the same bowl as a dog without kennel cough. Dogs can get dog flu, also known as canine influenza, is a respiratory infection like the human condition, this is spread via, coughing and sneezing from dogs that do have it. Hope it helps!

 

[Mayblossom]

Thanks guys luckily Lily’s cough cleared up but mines been going for over a week now and is driving me nuts! Think I need a visit to the vets poor doggies are having to have short walks as I just haven’t got the energy to go far, luckily they go off lead so have a good run about , feel like I’ve run a marathon when I’m done hope they’ll forgive me, bless them.

 

[Caro Perry]

Thanks guys luckily Lily’s cough cleared up but mines been going for over a week now and is driving me nuts! Think I need a visit to the vets poor doggies are having to have short walks as I just haven’t got the energy to go far, luckily they go off lead so have a good run about , feel like I’ve run a marathon when I’m done hope they’ll forgive me, bless them.

There's a huge amount going around. I got bronchitis in November and I've only just stopped coughing. Poor Harri was very shortchanged for walks for a week or so but he did forgive me. Hope you feel better soon

 

[Violet Turner]

Hope you get better soon