Kennel cough is one of the most common respiratory illnesses in dogs. It’s a highly contagious respiratory disease that tends to spread quickly anywhere dogs gather in close quarters, like boarding facilities, dog parks, or grooming salons. The good news is that most cases are mild and clear up with time and supportive care.
Knowing the kennel cough symptoms to watch for can help you catch it early, keep your dog comfortable, and stop it from spreading to other pets in your home. Here’s what to know about how kennel cough shows up, how it’s diagnosed, and when it’s time to call your vet.
What Kennel Cough Is and How Dogs Catch It
Kennel cough, also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is an inflammation of the upper airway caused by one or more viruses and bacteria working together. Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most well known culprit, but canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus, canine distemper viruses, and other pathogens can also be involved.
The infection spreads easily through airborne droplets, direct contact with an infected dog, or contaminated surfaces like shared water bowls, toys, and bedding. Any place where dogs are in close proximity, including boarding kennels, daycare, dog parks, grooming appointments, and training classes, creates the right conditions for it to travel from dog to dog. Puppies, senior dogs, and pets with weakened immune systems tend to be most vulnerable to a more serious course of illness.
Kennel Cough Symptoms: What to Look For
The signs of kennel cough can vary from dog to dog, but the hallmark cough symptom in dogs is a sudden, forceful cough that many owners describe as a honking sound, almost like something is stuck in the dog’s throat. It’s often triggered by exercise, excitement, or gentle pressure on the neck, such as from a collar or leash tug.
Beyond the cough itself, owners may also notice:
- Retching or gagging, sometimes followed by bringing up white foam
- A mild fever
- Sneezing or a runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Low energy or a reduced appetite, particularly in more severe cases
- Nasal or eye discharge that appears thicker if a secondary infection develops
Most dogs with kennel cough otherwise act like themselves. They’re eating, playing, and alert between coughing episodes, which is a helpful clue that separates kennel cough from more serious respiratory conditions. If your dog seems lethargic, is struggling to breathe, or has stopped eating altogether, that points to something more significant than a typical case.
How Vets Confirm Kennel Cough
Physical Exam: Vets typically diagnose kennel cough based on your dog’s history and symptoms, especially if there’s been recent exposure to other dogs at a boarding facility, daycare, or dog park. During an exam, your vet will listen to your dog’s lungs and airway and may gently palpate the trachea to see if it triggers a cough. This step also helps rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as a collapsing trachea, which is more common in small breed dogs and can cause a comparable honking cough unrelated to infection.
Additional Testing: In some cases, especially when symptoms are severe, prolonged, or unusual, additional testing may be recommended. This can include chest X-rays to rule out pneumonia or bloodwork to check for signs of a broader infection. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, canine infectious respiratory disease complex can involve a mix of viruses and bacteria, which is why some cases take longer to resolve than others.
How Long Kennel Cough Lasts and Whether It Spreads to Other Pets
Most dogs start showing symptoms two to fourteen days after exposure, and they can remain contagious for several weeks even after the cough starts to improve. That’s why keeping an infected dog away from other dogs, not just until the cough sounds better, is so important.
One question we hear often: can cats or humans catch kennel cough? It’s rare, but Bordetella bronchiseptica can occasionally cause mild respiratory illness in cats and, in very rare cases, in people with weakened immune systems. Washing your hands after handling an infected dog and keeping cats separated during recovery are simple precautions worth taking.
How Kennel Cough Is Treated
Most dogs recover from kennel cough on their own within one to three weeks with rest and supportive care at home. Keeping your dog away from other dogs during this time helps prevent further spread. A humidifier or steamy bathroom can help soothe an irritated airway, and switching from a collar to a harness reduces pressure on the throat while your dog recovers.
For dogs with more persistent symptoms, your vet may prescribe a cough suppressant to keep your dog more comfortable, or antibiotics if a bacterial infection like Bordetella is suspected or confirmed. Anti-inflammatory medication is sometimes used as well. As with any illness, treatment should be guided by your vet rather than leftover medications or advice found online, since the right approach depends on your dog’s specific symptoms and overall health.
Preventing Kennel Cough
A kennel cough vaccination is one of the best tools available for reducing your dog’s risk. The Bordetella vaccine is commonly required by boarding facilities, groomers, and daycare centers, and it’s often recommended alongside other core and non-core dog vaccinations based on your pup’s lifestyle.
A few other habits go a long way too:
Keep up with routine wellness exams so your vet can catch any changes in your dog’s respiratory health early
Avoid dog parks or group settings if your dog is showing any early symptoms
Keep food and water bowls, toys, and bedding clean and avoid sharing them between dogs
Ask your boarding or daycare facility about their vaccination requirements and cleaning protocols
When to See the Vet
Most kennel cough cases are manageable at home, but you should reach out to your dog vet if you notice:
- A cough that lasts longer than two to three weeks
- Labored or rapid breathing
- Lethargy, loss of appetite, or fever
- Thick nasal discharge or discharge from the eyes
- Any symptoms in a puppy, senior dog, or a dog with an existing health condition
These signs can point to a secondary infection or pneumonia, which needs prompt veterinary attention rather than time to run its course.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kennel Cough
How long is a dog contagious with kennel cough? Dogs can spread kennel cough for up to several weeks, even after the cough itself starts to improve. It’s best to keep an affected dog away from other dogs until your vet confirms it’s safe to be around others again.
Can dogs get kennel cough even if they’re vaccinated? Yes. The Bordetella vaccine reduces the severity and likelihood of infection, but it doesn’t guarantee complete protection since kennel cough can be caused by several different viruses and bacteria.
Is kennel cough an emergency? Most cases aren’t an emergency, but labored breathing, blue-tinged gums, or a dog that stops eating and drinking warrants an urgent call to your vet.
Trust Hershey Veterinary Hospital for Your Dog’s Respiratory Health
At Hershey Veterinary Hospital, our team has years of experience diagnosing and treating kennel cough and other respiratory concerns in dogs of all ages. We’ll help you sort out what’s going on with your dog’s cough and put together a plan that gets them back to their normal, tail wagging self!
Noticing a Cough or Other Symptoms?
If your dog has developed a persistent cough or any of the symptoms above, call us at 717-534-2244 or contact us today. Our team can evaluate your dog and recommend the right next steps for a smooth recovery.
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