🐾 Quick answer: Kennel cough causes a harsh honking cough in dogs and is highly contagious but usually mild. Learn the symptoms, when home care is enough, when to see a vet, and how to prevent it with the Bordetella vaccine.
Kennel cough is the dog world’s equivalent of the common cold — highly contagious, usually mild, and most dogs recover on their own within 1–3 weeks. But like human colds, it can occasionally become something more serious, and knowing the difference matters.
What Is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough — officially known as infectious tracheobronchitis — is an upper respiratory infection caused by a combination of bacteria and viruses. The most common culprit is the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica, often alongside canine parainfluenza virus. It spreads rapidly through airborne droplets in places where dogs congregate — kennels, dog parks, training classes, grooming salons.
The Classic Symptom
The hallmark of kennel cough is a harsh, dry, honking cough — often described as sounding like a goose honking or a seal barking. Many owners mistake it for something stuck in the throat. The cough is often triggered by excitement or exercise and may end with a retch or produce a small amount of white foam. Despite the dramatic sound, most dogs with kennel cough remain bright, alert, and continue eating and drinking normally.
Other Symptoms
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Mild lethargy
- Eye discharge
- Reduced appetite (mild)
Treatment
Mild kennel cough in healthy adult dogs often needs no treatment — just rest, plenty of water, and time. Avoid exercise that triggers coughing fits. Use a harness instead of a collar to reduce throat irritation. Keep your dog away from other dogs while symptomatic to prevent spread.
Your vet may prescribe antibiotics (targeting Bordetella), cough suppressants, or anti-inflammatory medication if symptoms are moderate or your dog is a puppy, senior, or has underlying health conditions.
Prevention
The Bordetella vaccine — available as an injection or nasal spray — significantly reduces the risk and severity of kennel cough. Most boarding kennels and doggy daycares require it. It doesn’t cover every strain, but it dramatically reduces the chances of a serious infection.
- Cough is getting worse after 5–7 days rather than better
- Dog becomes lethargic, stops eating, or develops a fever
- Coughing produces coloured mucus (yellow or green)
- Breathing becomes laboured or rapid at rest — possible pneumonia
- Your dog is a puppy, elderly, or immunocompromised
- Any dog with underlying heart or lung disease showing a new cough
For most healthy adult dogs, kennel cough is a nuisance rather than a crisis. With rest and care at home, the vast majority recover completely and quickly.
The PawPulse Team
Researched using current veterinary guidelines. Always consult your vet for medical advice about your pet.