Kennel cough in dogs
Isolate your dog from other dogs immediately and contact your vet if symptoms worsen or persist beyond two weeks.
In the next 60 seconds
- 1. Isolate your dog from all other dogs immediately to prevent spreading the infection — kennel cough is highly contagious.
- 2. Switch from a collar to a harness to reduce any pressure on the throat that could trigger coughing fits.
- 3. Keep your dog calm and limit strenuous exercise — short, gentle lead walks in quiet areas only.
- 4. Ensure your dog has access to fresh water at all times; staying hydrated supports recovery.
- 5. Use a humidifier or place your dog in a steamy bathroom briefly to help soothe the airways.
- 6. Phone your vet — even if symptoms seem mild, they can advise whether a consultation is needed and may prescribe antibiotics or cough suppressants.
- 7. Monitor your dog's temperature: normal is 38–39.2°C. A temperature above 39.5°C warrants urgent veterinary attention.
- 8. Keep a log of the cough frequency and character to report to your vet.
- 9. Do not take your dog to public dog areas, dog parks, grooming salons, or obedience classes until at least two weeks after full recovery.
Recognise the signs
- Harsh, honking or goose-like cough — the hallmark sign
- Retching or gagging after coughing, sometimes producing white foam
- Cough triggered by excitement, exercise, or pressure on the collar/throat
- Sneezing and nasal discharge (clear at first)
- Mild lethargy in the first few days
- Reduced appetite temporarily
- Eye discharge in some cases
- In severe or complicated cases: deep wet productive cough, high fever, significant lethargy, loss of appetite — these suggest secondary pneumonia
First aid steps
- 1. Isolate your dog from all other dogs immediately to prevent spreading the infection — kennel cough is highly contagious.
- 2. Switch from a collar to a harness to reduce any pressure on the throat that could trigger coughing fits.
- 3. Keep your dog calm and limit strenuous exercise — short, gentle lead walks in quiet areas only.
- 4. Ensure your dog has access to fresh water at all times; staying hydrated supports recovery.
- 5. Use a humidifier or place your dog in a steamy bathroom briefly to help soothe the airways.
- 6. Phone your vet — even if symptoms seem mild, they can advise whether a consultation is needed and may prescribe antibiotics or cough suppressants.
- 7. Monitor your dog's temperature: normal is 38–39.2°C. A temperature above 39.5°C warrants urgent veterinary attention.
- 8. Keep a log of the cough frequency and character to report to your vet.
- 9. Do not take your dog to public dog areas, dog parks, grooming salons, or obedience classes until at least two weeks after full recovery.
Do NOT
- Do NOT continue taking your dog to communal dog areas — kennel cough spreads very rapidly to other dogs.
- Do NOT use a collar that presses on the throat during the illness.
- Do NOT give human cough medicines, decongestants, or paracetamol — these are toxic to dogs.
- Do NOT over-exercise your dog — rest is essential for recovery.
- Do NOT assume all cases are mild — puppies under 6 months, elderly dogs, brachycephalic breeds, and immunocompromised dogs can develop serious complications.
- Do NOT skip the vet if symptoms worsen or if your dog develops breathing difficulties.
While transporting to the vet
- Keep windows slightly open for fresh air without creating a draught.
- Use a harness rather than a collar to avoid throat pressure during the journey.
- Keep the dog as calm as possible to minimise coughing episodes.
- Inform the vet reception that you are bringing in a dog with suspected kennel cough so they can prepare an isolation area on arrival.
- Take your dog directly in through a side or back entrance if the practice advises it, to protect other patients.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Breathing difficulty, wheezing, or laboured breathing at rest
- Blue, purple, or very pale gums
- High fever (above 39.5°C)
- Complete refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours
- Significant lethargy — dog barely moves or cannot be roused normally
- Deep wet or productive cough (sounds different from the usual dry honking cough)
- Symptoms not improving after 10–14 days
- Discharge from eyes or nose that turns yellow or green
- Dog is a puppy under 8 weeks, elderly, or has known heart or lung disease
When it can usually wait
- Mild honking cough without other symptoms in a healthy adult dog vaccinated within the last year
- Cough triggered only by pulling on the lead or excitement, with normal energy and appetite
- Slight nasal discharge that is clear, with no fever
- Symptoms that began less than 48 hours ago in a robust adult dog
Common causes
- Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria (most common single cause)
- Canine parainfluenza virus
- Canine adenovirus type 2
- Canine distemper virus (less common)
- Mycoplasma spp.
- Mixed infections (multiple pathogens simultaneously — most severe cases)
- Exposure in kennels, dog parks, grooming parlours, training classes, or dog shows
- Stress and close confinement weakening immune response
What you'll need
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What the vet will need to know
- When did the cough start and how has it changed?
- Has the dog been in a kennel, groomer, dog park, or training class recently?
- Is your dog vaccinated against Bordetella? If so, when was the last dose?
- Is the dog eating and drinking normally?
- Any fever, lethargy, or changes in breathing?
- Any eye or nasal discharge? What colour?
- Any other pets in the household, and are they showing signs?
Aftercare
- Complete any full course of antibiotics prescribed — do not stop early even if the dog seems better.
- Rest your dog for the full recovery period — typically 2–3 weeks from onset.
- Reintroduce exercise gradually once the cough has fully resolved.
- Discuss vaccination (intranasal Bordetella vaccine or combined injectable vaccine) with your vet after recovery.
- Inform any boarding kennels, dog walkers, or groomers your dog has been in contact with.
- Ensure all dogs in the household are up to date on kennel cough vaccination.
Prevention
- Annual kennel cough vaccination — intranasal vaccine (Nobivac KC) provides faster protection and is often more effective than injectable alone.
- Many boarding kennels require proof of kennel cough vaccination within the last 12 months — check before booking.
- Avoid exposing puppies and unvaccinated dogs to high-risk environments.
- Good ventilation in kennels and dog meeting areas reduces transmission.
- Reduce stress where possible — stress suppresses immune function.
- Wash hands and change clothes after handling dogs with respiratory signs.
Breed-specific notes
- Brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldog, Pug, Bulldog, Shih Tzu): already have compromised airways — kennel cough can cause rapid respiratory deterioration. Seek vet advice immediately.
- Toy breeds: small airways mean respiratory complications occur faster.
- Greyhounds and Lurchers: often unvaccinated if ex-racing; high risk and may be severely affected.
- Puppies under 6 months: immature immune systems mean higher risk of secondary pneumonia.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog catch kennel cough even if they've been vaccinated?
Yes — the kennel cough vaccine significantly reduces the risk and severity of disease but does not provide 100% protection, because multiple different pathogens cause kennel cough. A vaccinated dog that does catch it typically has a milder and shorter illness. The intranasal Bordetella vaccine generally provides broader and faster protection than the injectable form.
How long is my dog contagious with kennel cough?
Dogs can shed the bacteria and viruses causing kennel cough for up to 14 days after symptoms appear — and sometimes even before obvious symptoms develop. Keep your dog away from other dogs for at least two weeks after recovery to be safe.
Can humans catch kennel cough from dogs?
In healthy adults, transmission from dogs to humans is extremely rare. However, Bordetella bronchiseptica can pose a theoretical risk to severely immunocompromised individuals (e.g. those undergoing chemotherapy or with HIV). Take sensible hygiene precautions and speak to your GP if concerned.
My dog keeps retching and bringing up white foam — is this kennel cough?
Retching after a coughing fit and producing white foam is classic for kennel cough — the dog is clearing mucus from the airway. However, vomiting white foam can also occur with other conditions including bloat (GDV), so if your dog is also showing a distended abdomen, extreme restlessness, or unproductive retching without coughing first, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Does my dog need antibiotics for kennel cough?
Not always. Uncomplicated kennel cough in a healthy adult dog is often self-limiting and resolves within 1–3 weeks with rest alone. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics (commonly doxycycline) if there is evidence of bacterial involvement, a risk of secondary pneumonia, or if the dog is vulnerable. Follow your vet's advice rather than assuming antibiotics are always needed or never needed.
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