Achoo! You are sneezing, have a sore throat and a stuffy nose?

Once you start showing these symptoms of having a cold, family, friends and people around you will tend to give you some space in fear of getting sick too.

Unlike the humans, dogs would love a more cohesive bond with their master especially when you seem to be unwell.

So, they’ll stay closer during this tough time to give you more comfort.

Do you think this is a good idea when it comes to the high prolificacy of cold to spread?

Even though both humans and dogs sometimes can catch a cold, the good news is that the virus that causes cold in humans cannot survive in a dog.

Therefore, it is okay to allow your dog to nurse you all through and give you the ultimate attention and care it loves: there is no way it will get the infection from cuddling with you.

Note: You should be only cautious when your dog interacts with other dogs.

Reverse zoonosis

Reverse zoonosis is the ability of a disease to be transmitted from humans to animals.

So as long you cannot share that cold to your dog doesn’t mean you cannot transmit any disease to them.

The following are instances where the transmission is depicted in real life:

• A 2004 case of a Yorkshire Terrier that became infected with tuberculosis and an indication showed that the dog owner had been undergoing a tuberculosis treatment for some months.
• In 2006 a Veterinary Microbiology journal published the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from a human to a dog and back to the human again.
• In 2010, a published study on Giardia duodenalis a parasite strain infection affecting African dogs was typically associated with humans rather than pets.

Is It Possible for Pets to Get the Flu From Their Owners?

This article will break down this question and provides you a clear answer to it.

This is such a controversial subject with the outbreak of the Flu everywhere!

It is also, however, one that we do not want to take lightly.

I spoke with my own Vet who assured me that our pets cannot contract any of the human illnesses and diseases.

This is what we get but after further research, it appears that it can happen, but very rarely.

When it happens there are other issues involved.

The truth of the matter is that pets do get Flu but it is in no way the same type of Flu that the humans get.

Through my research, I have found that the H1N1 Flu has the ability to change its genetic structure.

As it can jump from species to species.  There is a Canine Flue, An Avian Flu (Affecting Birds).

And since H1N1 and a H5N1 Flu have some of the same genes, cats can easily attract the flu through an infected bird (providing that your cat is an outdoor cat).

As rare as it is, there was a recent documented case of a cat.

This will get the H1N1 Flu from the family, with 3 members of the family suffering from the disease.

They are all recovering but it is something of concern for us all.

Statistics from vetmedicine.com states that cats, ferrets, pigs, and turkeys have contracted the disease from people but not the other way around.

At any rate, most of the studies are still in their infancy.

And we should take whatever precautions we need to for protecting our families, including our pets.

For further detailed information on this controversial subject, check out the vetmedicine.about.com.

As always, wash hands often, be as sanitary as possible.

And isolate the affected, ill person and/or animal.

Preventative measures are out there with vaccinations so be sure to talk to your doctor or vet.

There are different types of influenza, type A and type B, whereas animals have their own type of influenza.

The canine influenza virus is an influenza Type A H3N8 virus, and the feline version is Type A H5N1 influenza virus.

There appears to be a brand new vaccine available for the H3N8 influenza virus so I could not hesitate to contact my Vet if I were you to inquire about the dangers to your pets.

And if you can get them protected.

Prevention is always the best medicine.

Take any precautions that you can to keep pets safe from most dangers that can spread the various viruses around.

Keep cats indoors and in safe environments as much as possible and dogs should most surely be protected.

Before entering a kennel type situation when being around other pets that may be infected.

We now know that it is a rare situation but is possible our pets can contract the H1N1 (in a different form).

So I would definitely do more research and call your own personal trusted Vet for confirmation.

On what you should do to be sure everyone, including your beloved pets, is definitely protected and safe.

Conclusion

Though there can be a potential for certain diseases to be transmitted from humans to animals, it is not a thing that you should give that much concern.

That dog you got has one of the strongest immunities against pathogens hence there very minimal chances of you transmitting a disease to it.

Even with that, it is much better and safe if you could go by basic hygiene practices so that you can maintain a healthy lifestyle between you and your dog.