Can Dogs Have Colds? Safe Human Foods to Soothe Symptoms
Can dogs have colds? Learn which safe human foods soothe canine cold symptoms, proper serving sizes by weight, and when to call your vet for care.
Can Dogs Have Colds? Understanding Canine Upper Respiratory Infections
If your dog is sneezing, coughing, or sporting a runny nose, you might wonder: can dogs have colds? The answer is yes — dogs can develop upper respiratory infections (URIs) that mimic human colds, though the viruses involved are entirely species-specific. Your dog won't catch your rhinovirus, and you won't catch canine infectious respiratory disease (often called "kennel cough" when caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica or canine parainfluenza virus).
While rest and veterinary care form the backbone of recovery, certain safe human foods can provide supportive nutrition and comfort during your dog's illness. Below, we cover the foods that are genuinely helpful, exact serving sizes, and critical red flags that mean it's time to call your vet rather than raid the kitchen.
Several human foods are safe and beneficial for dogs recovering from colds, including plain cooked chicken, low-sodium chicken broth, canned pumpkin (plain), cooked sweet potato, and blueberries. However, these foods are supportive care only — they do not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Never feed garlic, onion, xylitol-containing products, or high-sodium broths to a sick dog.
Safe Human Foods for Dogs With Colds: Serving Sizes and Benefits
When your dog is under the weather, appetite often drops. Offering small amounts of palatable, easily digestible human foods can help maintain hydration and caloric intake. Here's a precise breakdown of what's safe, how much to serve, and why each food helps.
| Food | Small Dogs (10-20 lb / 4.5-9 kg) | Medium Dogs (21-50 lb / 9.5-23 kg) | Large Dogs (51-90 lb / 23-41 kg) | Giant Dogs (90+ lb / 41+ kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain cooked chicken breast (shredded) | 1-2 tablespoons | 2-4 tablespoons | ¼ - ½ cup | ½ - ¾ cup |
| Low-sodium chicken broth (warmed) | 1-2 tablespoons | 2-4 tablespoons | ¼ - ½ cup | ½ - 1 cup |
| Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) | 1 teaspoon | 1-2 teaspoons | 1-2 tablespoons | 2-3 tablespoons |
| Cooked sweet potato (mashed, unseasoned) | 1 tablespoon | 2-3 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ⅓ - ½ cup |
| Blueberries (fresh or thawed frozen) | 2-3 berries | 5-8 berries | 10-15 berries | 15-20 berries |
| Cooked white rice (plain) | 1-2 tablespoons | 2-4 tablespoons | ¼ - ½ cup | ½ - ¾ cup |
Important: These serving sizes represent supplemental feeding alongside your dog's regular diet or as part of a short-term bland diet. Treats and supplemental foods should never exceed 10% of your dog's total daily caloric intake, per AKC nutritional guidelines.
Nutritional Benefits of Each Food for Sick Dogs
Each food on this list was selected for specific nutritional properties that support immune function, hydration, and gentle digestion during a canine cold.
| Food | Key Nutrients | Why It Helps During a Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked chicken breast | Protein (31g per 100g), vitamin B6, niacin, phosphorus | High-quality protein supports immune cell production; B6 aids antibody synthesis |
| Low-sodium chicken broth | Hydration, electrolytes (sodium, potassium), gelatin | Encourages fluid intake when dogs refuse water; gelatin soothes irritated throats |
| Plain canned pumpkin | Fiber (7g per cup), vitamin A (245% DV), potassium, iron | Soluble fiber stabilizes digestion if cold meds cause stomach upset; vitamin A supports mucous membrane health |
| Cooked sweet potato | Beta-carotene, vitamin C, manganese, fiber (3.8g per 100g) | Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A, supporting respiratory epithelium; easily digestible carbohydrate for energy |
| Blueberries | Anthocyanins, vitamin C (14% DV per cup), vitamin K, manganese | Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress from immune response; anti-inflammatory properties |
| Cooked white rice | Carbohydrates, manganese, small amounts of B vitamins | Bland, binding carbohydrate that's gentle on compromised digestive systems |
Preparation Requirements: How to Serve Each Food Safely
Improper preparation turns safe foods into health risks. Follow these preparation steps precisely:
- Cooked chicken breast: Boil or bake boneless, skinless chicken breast until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). No oil, butter, salt, garlic, or onion. Shred into small, bite-sized pieces. Remove all bones — cooked chicken bones splinter and can perforate the GI tract.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Use only broth labeled "low sodium" or "no salt added" (ideally under 100mg sodium per serving). Warm to body temperature (~100°F / 38°C) before serving to enhance aroma and encourage drinking. Never use broth containing onion powder, garlic powder, or xylitol.
- Plain canned pumpkin: Verify the label says "100% pure pumpkin" — NOT pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar, spices, and potentially xylitol (a sugar alcohol that is highly toxic to dogs, causing hypoglycemia and liver failure). Serve at room temperature.
- Cooked sweet potato: Peel, cube, and boil or bake until fork-tender. Mash with a fork — no butter, brown sugar, marshmallows, or cinnamon. Let cool to room temperature before serving.
- Blueberries: Wash thoroughly under running water. Serve fresh or thaw frozen berries (no added sugar). For small dogs, gently crush berries to reduce choking risk.
- Cooked white rice: Cook in plain water (not broth with additives) until soft. Avoid instant/seasoned rice packets, which often contain onion and garlic powder.
What Happens If My Dog Eats Too Much of These Foods?
Even safe foods cause problems when portions are exceeded. Here's what to watch for:
- Overfeeding chicken: Excess protein in a single meal can cause vomiting or diarrhea. A 30 lb dog eating more than 1 cup of chicken at once may experience GI upset.
- Too much broth: Even low-sodium broth can cause sodium imbalance if consumed in large volumes. More than 2 cups for a medium dog in a day risks hypernatremia (excess sodium).
- Excess pumpkin: More than 4 tablespoons daily for a medium dog can cause loose stools due to high fiber content. Paradoxically, the same fiber that settles digestion in small amounts disrupts it in excess.
- Too many blueberries: Over 20 berries for a medium dog may cause stomach upset and diarrhea due to fiber and natural sugar load.
- Rice overfeeding: Large amounts of white rice without protein can cause blood sugar spikes and subsequent lethargy. Rice should always be paired with a protein source.
- Your dog's cold symptoms persist beyond 7 days without improvement
- Nasal discharge changes from clear to yellow, green, or bloody
- Your dog develops a fever above 103.5°F (39.7°C) — normal canine temperature is 101-102.5°F (38.3-39.2°C)
- Your dog refuses all food and water for more than 24 hours
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or persistent coughing that disrupts sleep
- Lethargy severe enough that your dog won't rise or respond to you
These symptoms may indicate secondary bacterial pneumonia, canine influenza, or distemper — conditions requiring prescription antibiotics or antivirals that no food can address. Contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect your dog ingested a toxic food while you were preparing sick-day meals.
Foods to Avoid When Your Dog Has a Cold
Some well-meaning owners reach for foods that are actively dangerous for sick dogs. Avoid these entirely:
- Garlic and onion (all forms): Raw, cooked, powdered — all contain N-propyl disulfide, which destroys canine red blood cells and causes hemolytic anemia. Even "a little bit" in broth is unsafe.
- Honey: While sometimes recommended for sore throats, honey carries botulism spore risk and is high in sugar. Not recommended for puppies, immunocompromised dogs, or diabetic dogs. If your vet approves it for a healthy adult, limit to ½ teaspoon for small dogs or 1 teaspoon for large dogs — but it's not necessary.
- Dairy products: Most adult dogs are lactose intolerant. Milk, cheese, and cream can cause diarrhea, compounding dehydration from illness.
- Human cold medicines: Never give acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or decongestants to dogs. These are toxic and potentially fatal. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, acetaminophen causes liver necrosis and methemoglobinemia in dogs.
- Citrus fruits: Oranges, lemons, and grapefruit contain psoralen and essential oils that cause vomiting, diarrhea, and central nervous system depression.
- Fatty meats or bones: Rich foods like ham, bacon, or rib bones can trigger pancreatitis — especially dangerous when your dog's system is already stressed by illness.
How to Introduce Supportive Foods Safely
When your dog is sick, their digestive system may be more sensitive than usual. Follow this protocol:
- Start with broth: Offer 1 tablespoon of warmed low-sodium broth to test appetite and tolerance. Wait 30 minutes.
- Add one food at a time: If broth stays down, introduce a single solid food (e.g., shredded chicken) at the minimum serving size for your dog's weight class.
- Monitor for 24-48 hours: Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, hives, facial swelling, or increased lethargy. These could indicate food sensitivity or an allergic reaction.
- Gradually combine: If individual foods are tolerated, you can mix small amounts — for example, chicken and rice together, which is a classic bland diet recommended by veterinarians for GI upset.
- Transition back to regular food: Once cold symptoms resolve (typically 5-10 days for uncomplicated viral URIs), gradually reintroduce your dog's regular diet over 2-3 days by mixing increasing proportions of regular food with the bland/supplemental foods.
Dogs Who Should NOT Receive These Supplemental Foods
Certain dogs have conditions that make even "safe" human foods risky:
- Puppies under 6 months: Their immune and digestive systems are immature. Any dietary change during illness should be directed by your veterinarian. Puppies also dehydrate rapidly — if a puppy refuses food for more than 12 hours, seek veterinary care immediately.
- Diabetic dogs: Sweet potato, rice, and pumpkin all contain carbohydrates that affect blood glucose. Do not add these without adjusting insulin protocols under veterinary supervision.
- Dogs with kidney disease: Chicken and broth are high in phosphorus and protein, which must be restricted in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Consult your vet before offering any supplemental protein.
- Dogs with pancreatitis: Even lean chicken can trigger a flare-up in dogs with a history of pancreatitis. These dogs require strictly controlled low-fat diets.
- Dogs on prescription diets: If your dog eats a veterinary therapeutic diet (e.g., Hill's Prescription Diet, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements), adding outside foods may undermine the diet's therapeutic formulation.
When Your Dog's "Cold" Is Something More Serious
Canine upper respiratory symptoms overlap with several serious conditions that require veterinary diagnosis. According to the AVMA, the following conditions share symptoms with simple colds but need targeted treatment:
- Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC): Often called kennel cough. Caused by multiple pathogens including Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza, and canine adenovirus type 2. Highly contagious; vaccination available.
- Canine influenza (H3N2, H3N8): More severe than a typical cold, with higher fever, deeper cough, and risk of secondary pneumonia. Vaccines exist for both strains.
- Canine distemper: A paramyxovirus that begins with respiratory signs but progresses to neurological symptoms (seizures, muscle twitching). Vaccination is critical — distemper is often fatal in unvaccinated dogs.
- Heartworm disease: Can cause a persistent cough that mimics a cold. Preventable with monthly medication but fatal if untreated.
- Collapsing trachea: Common in small breeds (Yorkies, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas). Causes a "goose honk" cough that owners often mistake for a cold.
This is why veterinary diagnosis matters. Your vet may recommend thoracic radiographs ($150-$300), a complete blood count ($80-$150), or a respiratory PCR panel ($120-$200) to identify the specific pathogen and rule out serious conditions. Always consult your veterinarian before relying on home supportive care for a dog showing cold symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs catch a cold from humans?
No. Human cold viruses (rhinoviruses, common coronaviruses) are species-specific and cannot infect dogs. Similarly, canine respiratory viruses do not infect humans. However, some bacterial pathogens like Bordetella bronchiseptica can rarely transmit between species, so good hygiene (handwashing after handling a sick dog) is always wise.
How long does a dog's cold typically last?
Uncomplicated viral upper respiratory infections in dogs usually resolve within 7-10 days, similar to human colds. If symptoms persist beyond 10 days, worsen after initial improvement, or include colored nasal discharge, your dog likely has a secondary bacterial infection requiring antibiotics.
Can I give my dog chicken soup when they have a cold?
Homemade chicken soup can be safe if prepared without onion, garlic, excessive salt, or seasoning. Use boneless chicken, plain boiled vegetables (carrots, celery — no onion), and low-sodium broth. Commercial canned chicken soups almost always contain onion powder and excessive sodium, making them unsafe.
Should I force-feed my dog if they won't eat during a cold?
Do not force-feed, as this can cause aspiration (food entering the lungs). Instead, warm food to enhance aroma, offer small amounts of broth by syringe if your vet approves, and hand-feed small pieces of chicken. If your dog refuses all food for 24 hours (12 hours for puppies), contact your veterinarian — appetite stimulants or subcutaneous fluids may be needed.
Are there supplements that help dogs with colds?
Some veterinarians recommend canine-specific probiotics (such as Purina FortiFlora or Hill's Prescription Diet Digestive Care) to support gut-associated immune tissue during illness. Vitamin C supplementation is controversial — dogs synthesize their own vitamin C, and excess can cause oxalate bladder stones. Always consult your veterinarian before adding supplements.
Dr. Hannah Wickes
All our authors care for dogs every day — read more of their work on the authors page.
