Can a puppy get a cold like a person does?

Puppies can develop mild, cold-like upper respiratory infections that cause sneezing and a runny nose, though the specific bugs involved are different from human colds and cannot pass between species. Most mild cases settle within a week without needing treatment, but keep an eye on your puppy's general behaviour throughout.

Should I take my puppy to the vet for a runny nose?

If it is mild, clear and your puppy is otherwise bright and eating normally, it is usually fine to monitor for a couple of days first. See a vet if the discharge is thick or coloured, only from one nostril, or your puppy seems unwell in any other way.

Can teething cause a runny nose in puppies?

It can contribute to general nasal discomfort and sniffing while new teeth come through, though it is less often a direct cause of a genuinely runny nose than people assume. If the discharge is persistent or thick, treat it as a separate issue worth checking with your vet.

Is a runny nose in a puppy contagious to other dogs?

It can be, if it is caused by an infectious respiratory bug, which is common in puppies who have recently been around other dogs. Keep a puppy with cold-like symptoms away from other dogs until your vet has confirmed what is going on.

What does it mean if only one nostril is runny?

Discharge from just one side often points to something localised, such as a foreign object lodged in the nose, rather than a general cold. This is worth having checked by a vet rather than waiting to see if it clears on its own.

Why does my puppy have a runny nose?

A mild, clear runny nose in a puppy is often nothing serious — teething, a bit of dust, or a minor cold-like bug can all cause it, and most settle within a few days on their own. It is worth taking seriously, rather than ignoring, if the discharge is thick or coloured, if your puppy seems unwell in any other way, or if it does not clear up within a few days.

Usually not urgent

This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.

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What commonly causes it

Mild upper respiratory infections are common in young puppies, particularly those recently rehomed or who have been around other dogs — similar to a human cold, these usually cause sneezing and a clear runny nose alongside otherwise normal behaviour, and settle within a week or so.

Teething, which typically runs from around three to seven months, can sometimes cause mild nasal irritation or discomfort as new teeth push through, though it is less commonly the direct cause of a properly runny nose than people assume — it is more often just discomfort that leads a puppy to sniff and paw at their face.

Environmental irritants — dust, strong cleaning product fumes, or scented candles and diffusers in the home — can trigger sneezing and a clear discharge in a young, sensitive nose that settles once the irritant is removed.

A foreign body, such as a blade of grass or a small object lodged up one nostril, tends to cause a sudden, one-sided runny nose, often with a lot of sneezing and pawing at the affected side, and is worth having checked rather than waiting out.

A recent vaccination, particularly an intranasal kennel cough vaccine, can occasionally cause mild sneezing and a clear discharge for a day or two afterwards. This is a normal, short-lived response rather than a sign of anything wrong, but mention it to your vet if it doesn't settle quickly.

What counts as a red flag

Thick, yellow or green discharge, or a nose that is bleeding, is different from the clear, mild kind and points toward an infection or irritation that needs proper veterinary attention rather than home monitoring.

A puppy who is also lethargic, off their food, coughing, or struggling to breathe alongside the runny nose needs to be seen promptly — those combined signs suggest something more significant than a passing cold.

Discharge from only one nostril, especially with a lot of pawing at that side, often points to something lodged in the nose rather than a general infection, and is worth a vet visit to check properly.

When it's genuinely nothing to worry about

A puppy who is bright, eating normally, playing as usual and just has an occasional clear sniffle is very unlikely to need urgent attention. Keep an eye on it over a couple of days and it will often resolve on its own.

If you're ever unsure, a quick call to your vet practice for advice costs nothing and is always better than waiting on something that turns out to matter, particularly with a very young puppy whose vaccination course may not be complete yet.

What can help in the meantime

If dust or a scented product at home seems to be part of the picture, switching to unscented cleaning products and giving your puppy's bedding a wash can genuinely help settle mild nasal irritation.

Teething puppies often do better with something appropriate to chew on to redirect the discomfort in their mouth, which can reduce the pawing and sniffing that sometimes goes alongside it, even where the runny nose itself is unrelated.

Keeping the area around the nose clean with a damp, soft cloth can make a mildly snotty puppy more comfortable, and gives you a chance to check the colour and consistency of the discharge each time without waiting for it to build up.

What can help

Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.

Reusable Washable Puppy Training Pad

A quilted, machine-washable training pad that absorbs accidents and locks in moisture with a leak-resistant base. Reusable for puppy toilet training and senior dogs, in several bone and paw prints.

From£7.99

Interactive Activity Ball Dog Toy with Cover

A bouncy activity ball in a tough zip-on cover that keeps dogs chasing, nudging and herding for hours.

From£23.99

Self-Moving Chew-Resistant Dog Ball

A USB-C rechargeable ball that moves on its own to keep dogs busy and active. Tough E-TPU construction stands up to chewing during supervised play, and the splash-resistant build suits indoor or outdoor use.

£15.99

Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs with Pump

A large inflatable herding ball with pump that taps into your dog's chase instinct.

From£19.99

Common questions

Can a puppy get a cold like a person does?: Puppies can develop mild, cold-like upper respiratory infections that cause sneezing and a runny nose, though the specific bugs involved are different from human colds and cannot pass between species. Most mild cases settle within a week without needing treatment, but keep an eye on your puppy's general behaviour throughout.
Should I take my puppy to the vet for a runny nose?: If it is mild, clear and your puppy is otherwise bright and eating normally, it is usually fine to monitor for a couple of days first. See a vet if the discharge is thick or coloured, only from one nostril, or your puppy seems unwell in any other way.
Can teething cause a runny nose in puppies?: It can contribute to general nasal discomfort and sniffing while new teeth come through, though it is less often a direct cause of a genuinely runny nose than people assume. If the discharge is persistent or thick, treat it as a separate issue worth checking with your vet.
Is a runny nose in a puppy contagious to other dogs?: It can be, if it is caused by an infectious respiratory bug, which is common in puppies who have recently been around other dogs. Keep a puppy with cold-like symptoms away from other dogs until your vet has confirmed what is going on.
What does it mean if only one nostril is runny?: Discharge from just one side often points to something localised, such as a foreign object lodged in the nose, rather than a general cold. This is worth having checked by a vet rather than waiting to see if it clears on its own.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.