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Unfortunately, as common and contagious as kennel cough is in dogs, it can be equally confusing for pet owners. Perhaps the most common misconception? That your dog can contract kennel cough, also referred to as Bordetella, only during a trip to the kennel.
“Dogs can pick up kennel cough anywhere they share airspace with where other dogs have been,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian with more than 30 years of experience. “That can be boarding facilities, grooming salons, dog parks, daycare or even a brief interaction on a walk. It spreads through respiratory droplets, so it’s very efficient.”
Not only that, Bordetella bronchiseptica, the most common bacterium that causes kennel cough, can spread year-round, similar to colds in people. But there’s good news: Once you know the facts about kennel cough, you can not only take steps to prevent your dog from getting sick, but also ensure kennel cough never poses a serious health risk for your fur baby. Here, experts explain everything you need to know.
Key takeaways
- Kennel cough is the number one cause of a sudden cough or upper respiratory illness in dogs. But a chronic cough can be caused by other illnesses, too. So if your dog is coughing, it’s important to schedule a virtual or in-person vet appointment.
- The classic sign of kennel cough is a persistent, dry cough. Additional common kennel cough symptoms are surprisingly similar to signs of a common cold in people, including runny nose and eyes, sneezing and lethargy.
- Vaccination can reduce the risk and severity of kennel cough, especially for dogs with frequent exposure to others. Beyond that, avoiding high-risk environments during outbreaks and keeping symptomatic dogs at home are simple but important steps.
What is kennel cough?
Kennel cough is a general term for infectious respiratory disease in dogs. Although several different viruses or bacteria may cause it, the most common bacterial cause is Bordetella bronchiseptica. It spreads among canines year-round.
“Think of it like a highly contagious cold for dogs that is highly transmissible year-round,” says Dr. Kristine Smith, a veterinarian and medical lead at Zoetis. “While the common term is ‘kennel cough,’ veterinarians refer to it as ‘canine infectious respiratory disease complex’ (CIRDC).”
How do dogs get kennel cough?
Bordetella bronchiseptica can spread via airborne particles or contaminated surfaces, making all dogs who frequent parks, groomers, boarding facilities or simply greet other dogs on walks susceptible to contracting kennel cough, Smith explains. Top risk factors include:
- Close contact with other dogs.
- Coming in contact with contaminated surfaces, such as clothing or floors.
- Sharing contaminated items like water bowls or toys.
“More often than not, when I diagnose kennel cough, the owner has no idea where the exposure happened,” Myers adds. “Since these highly contagious organisms are spread through the air, not being able to identify a clear exposure doesn’t rule it out.”
Can you prevent kennel cough?
The most effective way to prevent kennel cough is the Bordetella vaccination. In fact, many doggie daycares, boarding facilities and groomers mandate that canines in their care be vaccinated annually for both Bordetella and canine influenza to decrease the risk of infection.
“Owners can help protect their dogs from Bordetella bronchiseptica by ensuring their vaccination is up to date with their vet,” Smith says. The next step is to avoid communal dog spaces and skip sharing toys or water bowls, especially with dogs that show symptoms of kennel cough, to reduce your dog’s risk of contracting this contagious respiratory bug.
What are the most common symptoms of kennel cough?
The classic sign of kennel cough is a persistent and dry cough that sounds like “honking,” according to vets. “Many owners describe it as sounding like something is ‘stuck’ in their dog’s throat, yet the dog is clearly able to eat and drink normally at other times,” Myers says.
Additional common kennel cough symptoms are surprisingly similar to signs of the common cold in people, Smith says. Those signs of kennel cough include:
- Persistent dry cough.
- Loud hacking or “honking” cough.
- Runny nose and eyes.
- Sneezing.
- Lethargy.
Can kennel cough mimic other illnesses and vice versa?
Kennel cough can absolutely mimic other illnesses, and this is where things get tricky. While kennel cough is the number one cause of a sudden cough or upper respiratory illness, according to Smith, a chronic cough can be caused by other illnesses such as heart disease, lung or tracheal inflammation. Kennel cough can also look like early cases of more serious conditions, such as pneumonia or even cancer.
So, how can you tell the difference between kennel cough and a cough that could be more serious? “What I try to help owners focus on are patterns rather than a single sign,” Myers says. “Dogs with uncomplicated kennel cough often stay relatively stable. They may have an annoying, persistent cough, but they’re still eating, drinking and at least somewhat interested in normal activities. They’re not progressively declining.”
What to do if your dog shows signs of kennel cough
Normally, vets say, “If you’re worried about something, bring your dog in.” But with kennel cough, physically taking them in isn’t always the best course of action. “Since kennel cough is highly contagious and most dogs don’t actually need medication to recover, the potential for exposing other dogs often isn’t worth a trip to the clinic if it truly is a case of kennel cough,” Myers says.
Instead, if your dog has a mild cough and is otherwise acting normal, Myers recommends starting with a virtual veterinary visit. “This allows us to assess your dog, talk through risk factors and help you decide whether it’s reasonable to monitor at home or if an in-person exam is needed,” she says.
How do you treat kennel cough at home?
If your vet advises you to monitor kennel cough at home, lots of water and plenty of rest are key. While there are no true “home remedies” for getting rid of the illness, your vet may recommend ways to keep your pet more comfortable, Smith explains. For example, they might suggest taking your dog into the bathroom and turning on a warm shower to create a steamy room. This simple trick helps calm your dog’s airways by safely exposing them to steam.
And remember: Even mild cases of kennel cough are a problem because they are so contagious. “Most infected dogs are contagious before they even show symptoms, which can lead to rapid spread and make the disease challenging to control,” Smith says. “This is why it’s important to keep dogs away from other dogs if they [have been] exposed or show symptoms.”
When to go to the vet for kennel cough and what to expect
According to Myers, most dogs with kennel cough improve gradually over one to two weeks. During that time, monitor closely for any decline, especially appetite, energy or breathing. Higher-risk dogs, or dogs with worsening symptoms, should be taken to the vet as soon as possible.
To pinpoint the exact cause of your dog’s cough, your vet may recommend specialized veterinary testing, such as an X-ray to rule out pneumonia or a respiratory PCR panel, which tests for any viral and bacterial pathogens. From there, treatment will vary, but many mild cases of kennel cough don’t require any medication, Smith says.
In select situations, your vet may recommend antibiotics, but cough suppressants are not a standard to treat Bordetella, Myers notes. Regardless, at-home monitoring of your dog’s cough will be necessary, which is never any fun for anyone.
“What I always prepare owners for is the reality of the cough,” Myers says. “It can be frequent, disruptive and honestly stressful to live through. Nights can be the hardest. Even when we’re confident in the diagnosis, it doesn’t feel mild when you’re in the middle of it.”
What are the biggest risks of untreated kennel cough?
Although many cases of kennel cough resolve on their own after a few weeks, dogs who are very young, geriatric, unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated or immunocompromised face a higher risk of developing a more severe infection. “These cases can progress to pneumonia and even death if not treated,” Smith says.
How to reduce the risk of kennel cough and keep your dog healthy
Kennel cough in dogs can be tricky to avoid since it’s so contagious. Keeping your dog up-to-date on their Bordetella vaccination is the best way to reduce the likelihood of respiratory illness, lessen the severity of the disease and decrease the risk of spreading infection.
In most cases, if your dog develops a cough, the best thing you can do — for both your dog and for other dogs — is to stay home and schedule a virtual vet appointment, according to Myers. Mild cases of kennel cough in healthy dogs tend to resolve on their own after a few weeks.
During recovery, be sure your dog is getting plenty of fluids and rest and steer clear of any spaces which other dogs could frequent to limit the chance of spreading the disease.
But keep this in mind: Dogs should be steadily improving and not appearing sicker each day. If your dog is coughing one day and then seems lethargic the next, it’s time to call and update your vet and see if in-person treatment is needed.
