5 Home Remedies For When Your Dog Has A Cold

Lucky: Image by Katie@!, Flickr

When your dog has a cold, it's important to provide him with the proper care, and home remedies can help with that. Be aware that dog cold symptoms can often be a sign of other ailments, and it's important to get him checked out by a vet to make sure it's just a cold and nothing more serious. If your vet says home care is the best way to go, here are some dog cold remedies to get you started.

Dog Cold Remedy #1: Chicken Soup

While it may sound strange, chicken soup can sometimes be as beneficial to dog's to fight off a cold as it can be for humans. Chicken soup with chicken breast, brown rice, and low sodium chicken stock will give him the energy and nutrition he needs to help fight off the cold. Chicken soup will work to keep your dog hydrated, and his immune system up. It can also be easier for him to eat when he's lacking energy.

Dog Cold Remedy #2: Steam

Steam will make it easier for your dog to breathe when he has a virus by keeping his bronchial passages open and moist. You can do this by running hot water in the bathroom with the door closed (without letting your dog into the water, and letting him breathe the hot water in for 10 minutes or so. You can also take advantage of a good vaporizer like Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier.

Tip Sleeping: Image by Deansouglass, Flickr

Dog Cold Remedy #3: Fluids

Dog's need to stay hydrated to recover fully from a cold. Soup can help with this, but they'll also need plenty of fluids, so it's important to make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water.

Dog Cold Remedy #4: Rest

Like us, dog's will need plenty of rest to start feeling better. Provide your pup with an insulated, warm place to sleep. Give him a nice warm blanket to sleep with, and consider heating up his bed with a warm water bottle or a heating pad.

Dog Cold Remedy #5: Herbal Remedies

Some herbs are thought to help stave off dog colds. Vitamin C is a good choice to help build the immune system. Some other herbal remedies you can give your dog include:

• Mullein Leaves
• Elder Flowers
• Colloidal Silver
• Eucalyptus Oil (in the humidifier)
• Elderberry Extract

If your dog has a cold, it's important to give him with the proper care to help him get better. Be sure to take him to a vet to get his symptoms evaluated, so you can be sure it's not anything serious, and to get the medication necessary to help him start to feel better.

Dog cold remedy sources: Native Remedies, Buzzle, Suite101

Also Read: How To Tell If Your Dog Has A Cold