Kennel Cough: Symptoms, Treatment and How Long Dogs Are Contagious

Your dog started coughing after time at a boarding facility, dog park, or training class — a loud, harsh cough that sometimes ends in a gag or retch. This is the classic presentation of kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis, ITB), and while it sounds alarming, it's usually manageable and self-limiting.

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a combination of pathogens, most commonly Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria alongside viruses including canine parainfluenza and adenovirus type 2. It spreads where dogs gather. It does not infect humans.

Classic Symptoms

• Loud, dry, honking cough — often described as a "goose honk"
• Gagging or retching at the end of a coughing fit
• White or foamy mucus produced after coughing
• Mild nasal discharge
• Normal energy, appetite and behaviour (uncomplicated case)

When to See the Vet

Most dogs recover without treatment. Seek veterinary advice if:

• Fever, lethargy or loss of appetite develop — possible pneumonia
• Coughing persists beyond 3 weeks
• Your dog is a puppy, senior, or immunocompromised
• Laboured breathing or rapid breathing develops

How Contagious Is It and How Long to Isolate?

Kennel cough spreads via direct contact, airborne droplets (coughing, sneezing), and shared objects. Keep your dog away from other dogs for at least 10–14 days, or until 48 hours after the last coughing episode, whichever is longer.

Treatment

• Mild cases: Rest, fresh air (avoid smoke and aerosols), good hydration. Many dogs recover without medication in 1–2 weeks.
• Persistent, distressing cough: Your vet may prescribe a cough suppressant for comfort.
• Confirmed bacterial infection: Antibiotics (doxycycline is commonly used).
• Pneumonia: May require hospitalisation and more intensive treatment.

The Bordetella Vaccine

Available as intranasal drops or injection. It doesn't give 100% protection (because multiple pathogens are involved) but significantly reduces severity and duration. Most boarding kennels, grooming salons and doggy daycares require it. Particularly recommended for dogs who regularly socialise with other dogs.

Prevention

• Keep Bordetella vaccination up to date
• Don't send a coughing dog to daycare or the dog park
• Don't share bowls, toys or bedding between unknown dogs
• Log the vaccine date in Purzi — boarding facilities often ask for proof at drop-off

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my vaccinated dog still get kennel cough?

Yes — the vaccine covers the most common strains but not all. A vaccinated dog typically has a shorter, milder illness if infected.

How did my dog get it if they've been at home?

Any social contact — a sniff through the fence, a walk where another dog was, a grooming appointment — can be enough. The incubation period is 3–10 days.

Is kennel cough contagious to cats?

Bordetella can infect cats, though it's rare. Immunocompromised cats in a multi-pet home should be monitored if a dog is infected.