Kennel Cough in Dogs: Symptoms & Treatment

Written from over a decade of hands-on experience helping dog owners navigate one of the most common and most misunderstood respiratory illnesses in dogs.

If you’ve ever heard your dog making a sound like a goose honking, you already know how alarming it can be. The first time one of my clients called me in a panic about her Labrador making that noise, she was convinced he’d swallowed something. He hadn’t. What he had was kennel cough and once she understood what it was, she felt a lot better.

Kennel cough is one of the most frequently seen respiratory conditions in dogs, and the good news is that in most cases, it’s very manageable. But it does need your attention. Let me walk you through everything you need to know from spotting it early, to treating it properly, to keeping it from coming back.

What Exactly Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough formally known as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) or infectious tracheobronchitis is a highly contagious respiratory illness. Think of it as the dog version of the common cold, except it spreads even faster in group settings.

In my experience, it’s most commonly picked up at boarding facilities, dog parks, grooming salons, and even training classes essentially anywhere dogs gather in numbers. The name “kennel cough” comes from how quickly it used to rip through dogs housed in kennels.

“Kennel cough is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection in dogs caused primarily by Bordetella bacteria and parainfluenza virus, spreading rapidly in close-quarter environments like kennels and shelters.”

The reassuring truth: most cases are mild and self-limiting. Dogs usually bounce back within one to two weeks with rest and care. But knowing the warning signs of a more serious case could genuinely save your dog’s life.

What Causes Kennel Cough?

Here’s something many pet owners don’t realise kennel cough isn’t caused by just one single bug. It’s actually a complex of pathogens working together (or separately) to inflame your dog’s upper airways.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the most commonly involved organisms include:

• Bordetella bronchiseptica the primary bacterial cause, which is why kennel cough is often simply called “Bordetella”
• Canine Parainfluenza Virus (CPIV)
• Canine Adenovirus Type 2 (CAV-2)
• Canine Influenza Virus
• Mycoplasma species

In many cases, a dog is infected by more than one of these at the same time which is why it’s called a “complex.” The viruses weaken the airway’s natural defences, making it easier for bacteria like Bordetella to take hold.

How Does It Spread?

Kennel cough spreads in three main ways:

1. Airborne droplets when an infected dog coughs or sneezes
2. Contaminated surfaces shared water bowls, toys, and bedding
3. Direct contact even a person who pets an infected dog and then touches a healthy one can transfer it

I’ve seen kennel cough spread through an entire doggy daycare group within 48 hours. That’s how fast it moves.

Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?

Kennel cough can affect any dog, regardless of age, breed, or sex. However, some dogs face a higher risk of severe complications:

I always advise extra caution with flat-faced breeds. Their already-narrowed airways make even a “mild” case of kennel cough much more uncomfortable and potentially serious.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough in Dogs

The symptom that almost always tips people off is the cough itself. It’s hard to describe until you’ve heard it but once you have, you don’t forget it.

The Classic Signs

• 🐾 A persistent, forceful “honking” cough often described as a goose honk. This is the hallmark symptom.
• 🐾 Retching or gagging after coughing fits, sometimes producing white foamy phlegm
• 🐾 Runny nose or watery eyes
• 🐾 Sneezing
• 🐾 Coughing that worsens with exercise or excitement
• 🐾 Normal energy and appetite in mild cases this is actually an important clue that it’s kennel cough and not something more serious

Pro tip from my experience: If your dog is still eating well, playing as normal, and just has that cough it’s likely a straightforward case. That said, always monitor closely.

⚠️ When to Call the Vet Immediately

Some symptoms signal a more serious situation potentially pneumonia or a severe secondary infection. Don’t wait if you see any of these:

• 🚨 Fever
• 🚨 Lethargy noticeably low energy or unresponsive
• 🚨 Loss of appetite
• 🚨 Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• 🚨 Green or yellow nasal discharge
• 🚨 Symptoms that last more than 10 14 days or are getting worse

I’ve had clients wait “just one more day” with these symptoms and end up with a dog needing hospitalisation. Please don’t take that risk.

How Is Kennel Cough Diagnosed?

In most cases, your vet will diagnose kennel cough based on your dog’s history and the clinical signs. Here’s a practical tip: bring a video of your dog coughing at home. Dogs often stop coughing the moment they arrive at the clinic I can’t count how many times a video has been the deciding factor in a diagnosis.

Your vet may also:

• Gently press on the trachea to trigger a cough (a tracheal palpation test)
• Recommend chest X-rays to rule out pneumonia
• Take a nasal swab for PCR testing or bacterial culture to identify the exact pathogen especially useful in persistent or unusual cases

How Is Kennel Cough Treated?

Here’s the honest truth from someone who’s guided hundreds of dog owners through this: most cases of kennel cough resolve on their own with rest and supportive care, just like a human cold. But that doesn’t mean you should do nothing.

Treatment Options

Antibiotics Are They Always Needed?

Not always. Antibiotics are prescribed when your vet sees signs of a bacterial infection like green-yellow nasal discharge, lethargy, or a reduced appetite. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include doxycycline and trimethoprim-sulfa. These help shorten the course of illness and prevent dangerous complications like pneumonia.

Important warning: Never give your dog human cough or cold medicines. Many over-the-counter human remedies contain ingredients like xylitol or pseudoephedrine that are toxic to dogs. Always use vet-prescribed medications only.

Home Care That Actually Helps

• ✅ Rest, rest, rest. Limit physical activity to short, gentle walks.
• ✅ Use a humidifier near your dog’s resting area moist air soothes irritated airways.
• ✅ Keep them hydrated. Offer fresh water frequently; some dogs find lukewarm water or low-sodium broth soothing.
• ✅ Switch to a harness during walks to avoid pressure on the trachea.
• ✅ Isolate them from other pets until at least two weeks after all symptoms have resolved.

Recovery timeline: Most cases resolve fully within 10 to 14 days. Younger, healthier dogs often bounce back faster. Puppies, seniors, and immune-compromised dogs may take longer.

How to Prevent Kennel Cough

Prevention is always better than cure and in this case, it’s genuinely achievable. Here are the most effective strategies:

1. Vaccination (The Most Important Step)

The Bordetella vaccine is your first line of defence. It can be administered in three ways: nasally, orally, or by injection. According to the AVMA, Bordetella and canine influenza vaccines are specifically recommended for dogs that visit places where other dogs gather, like boarding, daycare, and training facilities.

Key facts about the Bordetella vaccine:

• Puppies can start from 6 8 weeks of age
• Adult dogs should be boosted annually at minimum
• High-risk dogs (those frequently at kennels/daycare) may need a booster every 6 months
• The vaccine is considered “non-core” (not required for all dogs) your vet will advise based on your dog’s lifestyle

Important caveat: The vaccine doesn’t guarantee 100% protection, since kennel cough can be caused by multiple pathogens. But vaccinated dogs typically have much milder symptoms if they do catch it.

2. Good Hygiene Practices

• 🧼 Avoid sharing water bowls and toys at dog parks
• 🧼 Clean your dog’s bedding, toys, and bowls regularly
• 🧼 Wash your hands after handling unfamiliar dogs

3. Limit Exposure During Outbreaks

If kennel cough is circulating in your area or you know a dog your pet recently met is sick take a break from group settings. It’s temporary and well worth it.

4. Isolate Sick Dogs Promptly

Dogs can continue to spread kennel cough for 2 3 months after becoming infected, even after they appear to have recovered. Isolate your dog for at least two full weeks after all symptoms disappear.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is kennel cough contagious to humans or other pets?

Kennel cough is primarily a dog disease. In extremely rare cases, immunocompromised humans have been affected by Bordetella bronchiseptica, but this is very uncommon. It can, however, spread to cats in some circumstances.

❓ My dog just came back from boarding could it be kennel cough?

Almost certainly worth considering. Symptoms typically appear 2 14 days after exposure. If your dog is coughing within two weeks of being around other dogs, kennel cough is a strong possibility.

❓ Can my dog get kennel cough even if they’re vaccinated?

Yes because kennel cough involves multiple pathogens, no single vaccine covers all of them. However, the illness in vaccinated dogs is usually significantly milder and shorter.

❓ Should I keep my dog away from my other dogs?

Yes, absolutely. Isolate the sick dog immediately and keep them separate until they’ve been symptom-free for at least two weeks.

The Bottom Line

Kennel cough sounds scary that honking cough is hard to ignore but with the right knowledge, it’s one of the more manageable conditions you’ll face as a dog owner. Catch it early, give your dog the rest they need, follow your vet’s advice, and keep up with vaccinations if your dog has an active social life.

When in doubt, always call your vet. You know your dog better than anyone, and if something feels off beyond just the cough, trust that instinct.