Kennel Cough in Dogs: Learn About the Symptoms and What to Do
Key takeaways:
Kennel cough is a common and highly contagious airway infection in dogs that can be caused by several viruses and bacteria.
The most common symptom of kennel cough is a loud hacking cough. It can also cause a runny nose and sneezing.
The best way to prevent kennel cough is to vaccinate your dog each year, especially if they spend time around many other dogs.
Table of contents
If you’ve ever made arrangements for your canine companion to stay at a boarding facility for a few days, you may have been asked to prove they are vaccinated against kennel cough. And that question — which suggests your dog could be in danger of illness — may have been enough to almost reconsider your travel plans.
Before you think about canceling plans to avoid boarding your pup, it’s important to learn the facts about kennel cough and get your pet vaccinated against it.
What is kennel cough?
Kennel cough is the nickname for canine infectious respiratory disease complex, a common and highly contagious airway infection in dogs. It usually spreads in places where there are many dogs in close quarters, like a kennel, a boarding facility, or a shelter.
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Kennel cough earned its name because its primary symptom is an unmistakably dry hacking (or honking) cough in dogs. Several viruses and bacteria can cause the illness. But because they all cause similar symptoms, the various types of infections are referred to as kennel cough.
Signs and symptoms of kennel cough in dogs
The most distinctive symptom of kennel cough is a loud, hacking cough or retch. Other common kennel cough symptoms are:
Eye discharge
Sneezing
In more severe cases, or if left untreated, kennel cough can cause:
If your dog contracts kennel cough, symptoms will likely appear 2 to 3 days after exposure. But it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to develop.
It’s best to seek advice from your veterinarian as soon as you notice kennel cough symptoms. These symptoms can be similar to those of more severe illnesses, like canine distemper and dog flu (canine influenza).
What causes kennel cough?
Here are the main viruses and bacteria that can cause or contribute to the development of kennel cough:
Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacterium to cause kennel cough. This bacterium causes inflammation of your dog’s upper respiratory tract.
Canine parainfluenza, also known as CPIV, is one of the most common viruses to cause kennel cough. Its symptoms are similar to those of canine influenza, but the viruses are different and require different vaccinations.
Canine adenovirus 2, also known as CAV-2, is a respiratory disease that’s usually spread from one dog to another by coughing.
Canine distemper can be transmitted from one dog to another through the air or through shared food and water dishes. It can also be passed from a mother to her pups in the womb.
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Gag, hack, or honk? Your dog’s cough type can give you clues about what’s wrong. Here’s what you need to know about cough types, causes, and treatments.
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How does kennel cough spread?
Similar to a human cold, kennel cough spreads in the following ways:
Through direct contact with other infected dogs
Through airborne droplets that are released when an infected dog coughs or sneezes
Through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as shared water bowls or toys
Dogs usually contract kennel cough in places where many dogs congregate, such as boarding facilities, doggie day care centers, training centers, dog parks, and dog shows. Certain factors — such as the stress of being at a boarding facility and poor air quality or ventilation — make dogs more likely to get kennel cough.
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While kennel cough spreads easily, it is also very treatable and often clears up on its own. But it can be more severe in puppies under 6 months old, older dogs, and dogs with underlying health conditions.
Kennel cough treatment and medication options
In most cases, kennel cough will go away on its own and doesn’t require treatment. But your veterinarian might recommend medications to help manage your dog’s kennel cough symptoms. This may include cough suppressants.
Depending on the severity of the infection, your vet may also recommend a round of antibiotics. Antibiotics can kill bacteria that cause a type of kennel cough that can lead to pneumonia or other complications.
Examples of antibiotic medications for kennel cough include:
Azithromycin
Ciprofloxacin
Clavamox (amoxicillin / clavulanate)
Do not give your dog human remedies to address the infection. This includes over-the-counter human cough and cold medications.
How long does kennel cough last?
Most standard cases of kennel cough last about a week. In some cases, dogs take longer to recover. For example, some types of kennel cough can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia, which is a serious complication that takes longer to treat.
Home remedies for kennel cough
There are some things you can do to make your dog more comfortable at home while they recover. These include:
Use a harness rather than a collar and lead for walking. This will reduce irritation to the windpipe.
Provide a quiet, warm space for your dog to rest.
Run a humidifier to help moisten your dog’s air passages.
Wipe any discharge from your dog’s eyes and nose with a warm, damp towel.
Make sure your dog is in a clean, well-ventilated area.
Quarantine your dog from other dogs to avoid spreading the illness.
Provide plenty of water so your dog stays hydrated.
Limit your dog’s activity until they get better.
How to prevent kennel cough
The best way to prevent kennel cough is to make sure your dog is up-to-date on all their vaccinations. To start, this includes vaccines that are considered core for all dogs, including:
Adenovirus type 2
Parainfluenza
Canine distemper
If your dog often spends time with other dogs, ask your veterinarian about other vaccines that can protect your pup. To help prevent kennel cough, the two additional vaccines available for dogs are:
Bordetella
Canine influenza
Quiz: What vaccines do dogs need?
Is kennel cough contagious to humans?
It’s rare for humans to contract kennel cough. But in cases in which B. bronchiseptica causes the kennel cough infection, people with compromised immune systems may need to take extra precautions. This includes people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cancer.
Even in these cases, the chances of humans contracting kennel cough are still minimal.
Can cats get kennel cough?
Cats can develop a condition similar to kennel cough in dogs. It’s called feline bordetellosis. As with dogs, this condition is most likely to spread in places where many cats stay close together, such as rescue organizations and cat colonies.
Common signs of feline bordetellosis in cats include:
Coughing
Sneezing
Retching
Runny nose
Cats kept as indoor pets or in small groups are far less likely to get feline bordetellosis. But as with dogs, this condition usually goes away on its own in about 10 days. There is also a Bordetella vaccine for cats that can provide some protection in high-risk situations.
Frequently asked questions
Dogs recovering from kennel cough should be kept away from other dogs while they have symptoms and for 2 weeks after their symptoms disappear. Thoroughly disinfect all surfaces and items they’re in contact with to prevent reinfection.
If your dog’s kennel cough doesn’t improve in a week, see your veterinarian. Kennel cough typically gets better on its own. But some dogs can take longer to recover and others may develop a serious condition, like bronchitis or pneumonia.
Kennel cough sounds like dry hacking or honking in dogs. Some dogs also make retching or gagging sounds after honking.
The bottom line
Kennel cough, or canine infectious respiratory disease complex, is a common airway infection in dogs.The most common symptoms of kennel cough include a dry cough, runny nose, sneezing, and eye discharge. Most of the time, dogs who get kennel cough will recover on their own. But some dogs go on to develop bronchitis or pneumonia. Depending on your dog’s infection, your veterinarian may prescribe medications to ease their symptoms.
Kennel cough is highly contagious and often spreads among dogs in close quarters. So if your dog regularly spends time at doggie day care or a boarding facility, make sure they’re up-to-date on their vaccinations to help prevent kennel cough. You can also ask your veterinarian about additional protection with the canine influenza and Bordetella vaccines.
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References
American Animal Hospital Association. (2020). Non-core vaccines for pet cats.
American Animal Hospital Association. (2024). 2022 AAHA canine vaccination guidelines.
American Animal Hospital Association. (2024). What dog owners need to know about canine respiratory infections.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Canine distemper.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (kennel cough).
Brooks, W. (2024). Kennel cough in dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2024). Pneumonia management in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Dworkin, M. S., et al. (1999). Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Ford, R. B. (2014). Kennel cough revisited. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
Merck Animal Health. (n.d.). Bordetella bronchiseptica.
Merck Animal Health. (n.d.). Canine adenovirus type 2.
Merck Animal Health. (n.d.). Canine parainfluenza.
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Tonozzi, C. C. (2022). Kennel cough. Merck Veterinary Manual.
