Wintertime is when many of us humans begin to feel under the weather—coughing, sneezing and running a fever as a result of the seasonal flu. But humans aren’t the only beings that can succumb to influenza! Our four-legged friends also have their own kind of illness, called the dog flu.

Dry air is a difficult thing to contend with. Whether due to your home’s climate or the changing of the seasons, reduced humidity can cause a range of challenges, including dry skin, sleep trouble and breathing problems. To help alleviate these issues for both humans and pets, you might consider using a humidifier.

A great number of things can make it hard for your cat to breathe. From everyday troubles like allergies and asthma to illnesses like pneumonia to serious conditions like tumors or fluid buildup, respiratory problems can affect your feline friend’s comfort and health. To get them the care they need, pet owners need to be mindful of the symptoms that respiratory distress create.

If your home has a lingering odor, you might be tempted to reach for a can of air freshener or light a candle. However, if you have pets at home, you might want to pause before spraying, lighting or diffusing your favorite scents. Many scented products can actually cause problems for your pet’s health!

Pneumonia is a scary condition for our furry friends to experience. Your normally energetic pup might find themselves unable to breathe easily without wheezing or coughing. But beyond discomfort, pneumonia can be life threatening in dogs if it’s untreated for too long.

Pets can make amazing travel companions, especially if they’re curious and up for adventures in new places. This summer, your travels might take you to mountainous regions, where you and your adventure pup can enjoy day-long hikes and breathtaking vistas. Unfortunately, there are more than a few dangers that await you in the mountains. One of these is altitude sickness.

Although cats do not get common colds like humans, they can suffer from upper respiratory illnesses that, when left untreated, can progress and lead to feline pneumonia. While pneumonia in cats is relatively rare, the consequences of inaction could be grievous.

The effects smoking can have on your lungs, as well as the people around you, are well known. But less attention has been paid to the effects smoking can have on our pets. Vaping or smoking a cigarette or cigar near your furry friend might not seem like a big deal, but it could lead to significant health problems.

You’re used to your dog panting audibly after a healthy run or on a hot summer’s day. But if your pup begins to breathe rapidly, struggle for air or cough frequently, something is probably wrong with their health. Although we never want to think the worst, one of the potential causes of breathing problems in dogs is lung cancer.