Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee
Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness to be taken seriously. It can spread fast, quickly sickening dogs who are in close contact, whether at dog parks or kennels. Even though the disease is mild in most dogs, it can turn dangerous in puppies or senior dogs. And any pup is at risk of developing a secondary infection that can put their health at risk.1
To better protect your dog (and other pups you may come in contact with), you should understand kennel cough's symptoms, prevention measures and treatment options.
What Is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough is the most common upper respiratory disease in dogs.2 This highly contagious illness is also called canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD)2 or canine infectious tracheobronchitis.1
The disease spreads through droplets in the air when a sick dog coughs or sneezes. It can also spread if a dog comes in contact with contaminated items like water bowls, food bowls, door handles,2 bedding, toys or even a person's hand.3 A healthy dog coming into direct contact with an infected dog, such as through licking, can also spread the disease.3 Depending on the pathogen causing kennel cough, your cat might even be able to catch it from your dog!4
Kennel cough can spread very fast in environments where dogs are kept close together, such as boarding facilities, doggy daycare, kennels or veterinary hospitals.1 Almost any place where dogs are in close contact can be a risk, even grooming facilities, dog parks, animal shelters or dog competitions.2
Part of what makes the illness so difficult to control is that dogs can be contagious even before they have symptoms. And the pathogens that spread the disease can sometimes survive in the environment for weeks.3
Causes of Kennel Cough
Kennel cough isn't caused by just one virus. Instead, it refers to a set of symptoms that are caused by a variety of viruses and pathogens. The most common causes include:1
- Bordetella bronchiseptica: A bacteria that can infect other animals too, like cats or rabbits, and in rare cases, people if they are immunocompromised4
- Canine parainfluenza virus
- Canine adenovirus type 2
Less common causes include:1
- Canine reoviruses
- Canine herpesvirus
- Canine adenovirus 1
- Some streptococcus species3
- Some mycoplasma species3
- Canine respiratory coronavirus3
- Canine influenza (H3N2 and H3N8)3
- Canine distemper virus
In some cases where kennel cough starts from a virus, another bacteria like Bordetella might still cause a secondary infection that worsens the illness.1
Symptoms of Kennel Cough
The most common symptom of kennel cough is loud coughing followed by gagging. The cough is usually similar to a goose honking and is unproductive. Your dog's throat might be so sensitive that gently rubbing the throat area could be enough to induce coughing.1 The cough often gets worse with activity, and sometimes the gagging can get so bad that your dog pukes froth.3
However, there are cases where a dog can have kennel cough without a cough. In those situations, they might simply sneeze a lot or have watery eyes or a runny nose.3
If the disease becomes more severe, leading to pneumonia, other symptoms might develop, such as:3
- Fever
- Productive cough (the common loud cough that accompanies milder cases is generally unproductive)
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness or lethargy
- Labored breathing
If you notice any of these severe symptoms, consult your veterinarian right away.
In rare cases where the illness is caused by distemper, you may notice other severe symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea or even neurological signs like circling when walking or head tilting.3 This is generally only an issue in unvaccinated dogs and puppies, which is why staying updated on vaccines (like the distemper vaccine) is so important.
Duration of Kennel Cough
How long kennel cough lasts depends on the individual dog and the specific cause. While no medication is guaranteed to cure kennel cough quickly, some dogs will have a very mild illness and recover on their own in seven to 10 days. However, other dogs may have more trouble fighting the illness and progress to a more severe stage. They may even develop a secondary infection (like pneumonia) that requires immediate veterinary care and possibly hospitalization.3
A severe case of kennel cough may last a couple of weeks. This past year, many states experienced an outbreak of a mysterious respiratory illness that acted like kennel cough but lasted weeks to months.
While dogs of all ages and breeds can catch kennel cough, puppies, senior dogs or dogs with other health issues are more likely to develop severe cases of kennel cough with pneumonia.5
Diagnosing Kennel Cough
Your veterinarian may suspect kennel cough if your dog develops a severe dry cough about five to 10 days after being in close contact with other dogs.1 If your dog's case is very mild, your veterinarian might not run any tests, especially if symptoms indicate kennel cough or there's been an outbreak in your region. They may just recommend mild supportive treatment, such as cough suppressants.3
But if your dog has a more severe case or your veterinarian is more cautious, they may:3
- Collect swabs from your dog's nose, throat or edges of the eyes to identify which virus or bacteria is the cause.
- Run additional tests, like blood work.
- Take a chest X-ray to exclude other causes and check for evidence of pneumonia.1
Treatment for Kennel Cough
The treatment your veterinarian recommends will depend on how severe your dog's illness is and what's causing it. For mild cases, your veterinarian might just recommend rest, lots of fluids and time for the disease to get better on its own. Healthy dogs may not need any medication.5 Other possible treatments include:2
- Antibiotics for cases caused by bacteria like Bordetella.5
- Cough suppressant prescriptions if your dog is coughing so much they can't rest.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce fever and inflammation in more severe cases.3
- For pneumonia, dogs may need hospitalization, IV medication, fluids and oxygen therapy.
As you're helping your dog recover, don't use an over-the-counter human medicine on your dog, since many of them are toxic to animals. Consult your veterinarian and only use medications they recommend.
Prevention of Kennel Cough
Because kennel cough has so many causes, it can be difficult to prevent it entirely. But there are steps you can take.
Vaccinations
The best way to prevent your dog from catching kennel cough (and spreading it to other dogs) is through up-to-date vaccinations. These are critical. While they may not stop every possible infection, they can reduce the disease's severity and the chances of your dog developing pneumonia.2
Vaccinations that can help prevent kennel cough include core vaccines (essential for all dogs) and some noncore vaccines (recommended based on lifestyle or risk).6
| Vaccine | Core or noncore | Notes |
| Distemper | Core vaccine6 | A severe, often fatal illness that is very contagious.7 In rare cases, it's also a cause of kennel cough.1 |
| Parainfluenza | Core vaccine6 | A common cause of kennel cough. Usually included as part of the DAPP core vaccine (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus).7 |
| Adenovirus | Core vaccine6 | Can cause kennel cough.2 Usually included as part of the DAPP core vaccine (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus).7 |
| Bordetella bronchiseptica | Noncore6 | A common cause of kennel cough.3 Injectable or nasal spray vaccines are available.7 Recommended for at-risk dogs.3 Although noncore, this vaccine is often required by doggy daycare or boarding services.7 |
| Canine influenza virus | Noncore6 | May be recommended in areas where the virus is circulating.3 |
| Canine coronavirus | Noncore7 | Typically only recommended for at-risk dogs.7 |
Other steps to cut down on risk
You can take other steps to cut down on the risk of your dog catching kennel cough (although these steps won't eliminate the risk entirely):3
- Don't let your dog use toys, food or water bowls belonging to other dogs that aren't part of your household.
- Watch for news on outbreaks of kennel cough and avoid traveling to regions or locations where it's occurring.
- If one of your dogs has kennel cough, keep them isolated from your other dogs.1
Pets Best Can Help You Keep Your Dog Healthy
While most dogs will only have a mild case of kennel cough, the highly contagious disease can sometimes be severe. Getting your dog vaccinated from the most common causes of kennel cough is a great way to protect both your pup and other dogs. If you have any concerns about your dog's health or kennel cough outbreaks, talk with your veterinarian.
Purchasing pet insurance may help you protect your dog from diseases like kennel cough. At Pets Best, our dog insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline.
Sources/Citations
1. "Kennel cough," Caroline C. Tonozzi (2/2022), Merck Veterinary Manual, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-small-animals/kennel-cough
2. "The risks of kennel cough," (n.d.), Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/risks-kennel-cough
3. "Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (kennel cough)," (n.d.), American Veterinary Medical Association, https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/canine-infectious-respiratory-disease-complex-kennel-cough
4. "Bordetella," (5/2020), Texas A&M University-Kingsville, https://www.tamuk.edu/finance/risk/animal-safety/bordetella.html
5. "What you need to know about kennel cough," (9/2021), Animal Medical Center of Chandler, https://www.amcofc.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-kennel-cough
6. "2022 AAHA canine vaccination guidelines," (8/2022), American Animal Hospital Association, https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines/home/
7. “Your complete guide to first-year puppy vaccinations," (3/2024), American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-shots-complete-guide/