Keeping a pet nowadays has become quite common, and pet owners have also become far more conscious about their pets’ health and hygiene.

Dr. Arielle Pechette said he hears everyday from dog owners and the major concern they come up with is how to keep their pets away from the new strain of the dog flu that was first found in Chicago and quickly infected 30 states around the country.

Dr. Pechette stated that the best measure to protect your pets from being infected is by completely avoiding other dogs contact.

Experts recommend keeping away your pet from outside pets because this virus is most contagious before they actually start showing clinical signs. So after being infected a pet is most contagious between the two-to-four-day window before they start coughing, and their nose stat running.

Coughing, sneezing, fever and loss of appetite are the main symptoms of this highly contagious virus, said experts. Puppies and dogs with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable to the virus.

Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List, said, “Humans can't get dog flu, but they still can be carrier of dog flu and pass it from dog to dog. So, if you're around multiple dogs, ensure washing your hands or changing clothes before interacting with each dog”.

This should be done as dogs that have got infected with the virus do not show symptoms at starting, and there is no guarantee that the virus won’t reach your doggie day care or favorite boarding facility.

Hicks stated that if you are planning to be boarding your dog this summer, discuss their protocol for how they would handle if the flu arrive at the kennel, and if they don't have a good protocol, go for any other kennel.