Help! I Think My Dog Has Gotten Sick from Me! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Can dogs contract viruses from humans? I feel like I just gave my dogs June & Jett norovirus cause I had it, and then they both had days where they seemed to have a stomach bug. Is this actually a thing?” – Sally
Hi Sally,
I can see why you felt you might have passed on the norovirus to June and Jett, especially when you were all under the weather at the same time. The good news is that norovirus and most viruses that affect people are very species-specific, so while they can make us feel awful, they do not infect dogs. When dogs develop an upset stomach, the cause is usually unrelated to ours and can be linked to things like a sudden change in food, getting into the trash, stress, parasites, or dog-specific infections.
That said, there are a few bacteria and parasites that both people and dogs can share, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. These usually come from contaminated food, water, or the environment rather than directly from a person to a pet. If June and Jett’s upset was short-lived and they bounced back quickly, it may have been something minor. But if the diarrhea is severe, contains blood, or lasts longer than a couple of days, a veterinary checkup is important. Your veterinarian can run stool tests to look for parasites and bacteria, and help get them back on track quickly and safely. I hope you’re all recovered now.
Sincerely,
– Dr. Paola