Pet owners, beware: Dog flu is on the rise

It looks like there's a rise of a contagious dog flu in the U.S.

And just like the flu in humans, the canine version is highly contagious.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, about 80% of all dogs who come in contact with it get infected. A number of states are dealing with this flu including Arkansas, Florida and the Carolinas.

The virus isn't new, rarely deadly and can't spread to people. So what exactly is canine influenza and where did it come from?

One of the most common strains has been around the U.S. for a couple of years.

The other and more concerning strain was found back in 2004 in a group of greyhounds in Florida. If you think your dog is sick, vets say to give them a lot of water and make sure they rest.

They also say it's important that if your dog did get the flu, try keeping them away from other dogs for at least three weeks.

Related: Check out this ice cream shop just for dogs