Kennel Cough in Dogs – What It Is & How to Treat It

Many dogs suffer from kennel cough at least once in their lives. Read our guide to find out about possible symptoms and how to treat it.

Many dogs get kennel cough during their lives. It’s a common infection of the respiratory system with symptoms like coughing and hacking. It sounds bad but usually clears up without needing treatment. Read our guide to find out what causes kennel cough in dogs, how it’s spread and how to treat it.

What is kennel cough?

Kennel cough is the common name for a type of bronchitis in dogs called canine infectious tracheobronchitis. It’s a respiratory infection in dogs caused by a wide range of bacteria and viruses. Its highly contagious and the main symptom is a harsh, hacking cough.

Kennel cough creates an inflammation of the dog’s upper respiratory tract, including the trachea (wind pipe) and larynx (voice box).

What causes kennel cough in dogs?

Kennel Cough can be caused by different bacteria and viruses, and sometimes a combination of both. The most common cause is a bacteria strain called Bordetella bronchiseptica, which is why some call kennel cough ‘Bordetella’. 

Dogs become infected when they inhale these bacteria or virus particles into their respiratory tract.

Dogs are more likely to be infected by Bordetella when their immune system is weakened, usually by an infection from a virus. Some viruses known to make dogs more susceptible to kennel cough include canine adenovirus, canine distemper virus, canine herpes, parainfluenza virus and canine reovirus.

Only some dogs show other kennel cough symptoms alongside coughing. It's also unusual for your dog to lose their appetite or have a decreased energy level.

If you notice any of these symptoms or are concerned, make sure to contact your vet.

What does kennel cough sound like?

The cough can sometimes sound like your dog has something stuck in their throat, many compare it to a goose-like honk. It can be dry and hoarse or produce mucus, which the dog often tries to swallow. It doesn’t sound like a sneeze or reverse-sneeze.

How do dogs get kennel cough?

Droplets in the air from other dogs is the main way dogs contract kennel cough. The airborne bacteria or viruses are inhaled by the dog into their respiratory tract which then causes inflammation.

Many dogs get it from being in dog kennels and shelters, which is where the illness gets its name. They become infected by being around other dogs who have the cough.

How is kennel cough spread? 

There are some factors that exacerbate the likelihood that a dog will be infected by kennel cough:

• Being around/touching other dogs who have kennel cough
• Sharing dog toys or food bowls with dogs who have kennel cough
• Being kept in crowded conditions
• Poor ventilation
• Cold temperatures
• Exposure to dust or cigarette smoke
• Dog travel-induced stress

How is kennel cough contagious?

Kennel cough is contagious between 2 and 14 days. During this time, your dog should be incubated and away from other dogs. Some dogs can be carriers for months without exhibiting symptoms.

How is kennel cough diagnosed?

There isn’t a test specific to diagnosing kennel cough, but if your dog is displaying symptoms and they’ve been in an environment with other dogs during the incubation period, it’s a good chance it’s kennel cough. Sometimes swabs will be taken to determine the virus or bacteria that’s causing it, but this isn’t standard as it’s not always useful when deciding on treatment options.

How to treat kennel cough in dogs

Kennel cough can usually go away on its own. For many dogs, kennel coughs will clear up within three weeks and shouldn’t need any treatment at all. For mild cases, treatment that includes a couple of weeks of rest can help your dog make a full recovery quickly.

Kennel cough treatment at home      

If your dog seems otherwise perky and is eating well, you should be able to use dog home remedies to make your dog more comfortable. This includes keeping them in a humid area (you can use a humidifier to help) and avoiding using a collar as this may aggravate their windpipe further.

If you're worried about your dog, take them to see the vet. It’s best to phone the clinic beforehand and explain you think they have kennel cough so they can minimise the risk to other dogs.

The vet may be able to prescribe dog antibiotics for kennel cough to target the Bordetella bacteria. If needed, they may also prescribe a canine cough medicine or an anti-inflammatory to sooth your dog’s throat.

Is there a kennel cough vaccine?

Protection against some of the viruses that can cause kennel cough is included in puppy and booster vaccinations. These viruses include canine influenza, canine distemper, canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus type two.

Your vet can also provide a vaccination against the main bacterial cause, Bordetella – this can be a nasal spray or an injection. Many boarding kennels and doggy day-cares require dogs to have the vaccination before their stay.

However, because kennel cough has a wide range of causes and strains, this vaccine cannot guarantee protection for your dog.

Can dogs get kennel cough more than once?

Yes, dogs can get kennel cough more than once as there are a variety of strains. However, if your dog catches the strain known as ‘Bordetella bronchispetica’, they should be immune for between six to 12 months.

Can humans get kennel cough?

Kennel cough is a type of respiratory infection rather than a specific disease and so it has a range of possible causes. Most of the canine viruses cannot be transmitted to humans.

However, the main bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica can infect humans, though this is very rare and only a risk factor for people with weakened immune systems. There is also very little evidence that humans can contract the bacteria from animals. Cases are very rare and shouldn’t be a concern for most people.

We hope this article on kennel cough was helpful. Remember to always contact your vet if you’re concerned. Keep your dog feeling as healthy and happy as possible – read our guides to looking after your dog’s health.