{"id":89,"date":"2015-04-19T17:11:03","date_gmt":"2015-04-20T00:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.moonlightdogcafe.com\/?p=89"},"modified":"2026-04-16T15:42:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T22:42:20","slug":"kennel-cough-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/dog-cat-health\/kennel-cough-in-dogs","title":{"rendered":"How to Treat Kennel Cough in Dogs? Quick, Effective Ways to Treat Dog Kennel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Kennel Cough in Dogs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We just heard that some downtown Vancouver dogs recently got kennel cough. As a result, we thought it would be helpful to share some information on how to treat kennel cough in dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis is a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs. It results from inflammation of the upper airways in dogs. It is a mild, self-limiting disease but may progress to fatal bronchopneumonia in puppies or to chronic bronchitis in debilitated adult or aged dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Kennel cough for adult dogs can be seen as the<strong>&nbsp;human equivalent of a chest cold<\/strong>. It can resolve itself without treatment although the hacking cough can sound terrible. There are various causes of kennel cough with the most common being the Bordetella bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Causes and Symptoms of Kennel Cough in Dogs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Causes of Kennel Cough:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/respiratory-system\/respiratory-diseases-of-small-animals\/kennel-cough?_gl=1*1ui4qx2*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAyNDYwMzk3OC4xNzYzNzYyNDY3*_ga_HM7HGJFRVG*czE3NjM3NjI0NjYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjM3NjI0NjYkajYwJGwwJGgw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Bacterial<\/em>: Bordetella bronchiseptica<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/respiratory-system\/respiratory-diseases-of-small-animals\/kennel-cough?_gl=1*1ui4qx2*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAyNDYwMzk3OC4xNzYzNzYyNDY3*_ga_HM7HGJFRVG*czE3NjM3NjI0NjYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjM3NjI0NjYkajYwJGwwJGgw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Viral<\/em>: Canine parainfluenza, adenovirus type 2, sometimes canine influenza <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Co-infections<\/em> are common, increasing the severity of symptoms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stress<\/strong>, poor ventilation, and crowded environments (like kennels or daycare) make dogs more susceptible. <span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">The disease spreads rapidly among susceptible dogs housed in close confinement, such as veterinary hospitals or kennels and thus, it&#8217;s name. <\/span>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Kennel cough is spread&nbsp;through airborne droplets when infected dogs cough or sneeze, and through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Symptoms of Kennel Cough to Watch for:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">The hallmark clinical sign of kennel cough is a &#8220;goose honk&#8221; cough that may be followed by retching and gagging. <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Some dogs may sneeze or have a discharge. <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In some cases, additional signs may develop, including fever, purulent nasal discharge, depression, loss of appetite, and a productive cough, which could indicate progression to bronchopneumonia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If your dog exhibits these severe symptoms of fever etc., it&#8217;s advisable to <strong>consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Should You Get the Bordetella Vaccine for Your Dog? Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Bordetella vaccine<\/strong> can reduce the severity of kennel cough but does <em>not<\/em> guarantee full immunity. Although your dog may be vaccinated for Bordetella, it may still get kennel cough. This is because there is a wide variety of bacteria and virus that can cause the kennel cough. Most dogs that get the kennel cough may already be fighting a viral infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bordetella is not one of the<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> <a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/pet-health-and-holisticnatural-treatment\/pet-immunization-and-vaccines\/pet-vaccinations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Core Dog Vaccines<\/a><\/span>, we&#8217;ve talked about in the past and in addition, there may be side effects. An active infection may not be helped by getting the vaccine.\u00a0 Looking at the results of Dr. Schultz study on how long each of the canine vaccines last, you will see that<strong> Bordetella is good for about 9 months.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So why do most dog daycares require Bordetella before they take your dog? Simple. The Bordetella vaccine may reduce the severity of kennel cough, but it doesn&#8217;t guarantee complete immunity and it&#8217;s crucial for dogs in high-risk environments. The Bordetella vaccine still does not prevent your dog from getting kennel cough if it is from a different strain of bacteria or virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, vaccinated dogs may still shed Bordetella, meaning they can infect other dogs for some time.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dr.-Schultz-study.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"803\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dr.-Schultz-study.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-250\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dr.-Schultz-study.png 652w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dr.-Schultz-study-122x150.png 122w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dr.-Schultz-study-244x300.png 244w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kennel Cough Immunity length<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>We generally prefer less drug intervention if it can be avoided especially because Bordetella vaccine does not guarantee full protection. This is however, a judgment call that every owner will have to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Treatment Options for Kennel Cough<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Isolate your dog<\/strong> \u2014 Kennel cough spreads easily, especially in confined spaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Call your vet<\/strong> \u2014 Let them know you suspect kennel cough if you hear the &#8216;honking sound&#8217; and dry coughing from your pet. They may want to isolate your dog from others in the clinic. Your vet&#8217;s office will give you a protocol to follow so that it does not spread to other dogs that may come into the vet&#8217;s office at a later date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be ready with history<\/strong> \u2014 When symptoms began, whether your dog has been boarded, or exposed to other dogs. This helps the vet diagnose.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diagnostic tests<\/strong> \u2014 Your vet may do a physical exam, but may also order chest X-rays, or collect swabs for PCR or culture if pneumonia is suspected.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Kennel Cough Treatment Options (Veterinary + Medical)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Is there a cure for kennel cough? Technically, here is what vets will tell you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Many cases are <strong>self-limiting<\/strong>, meaning no treatment is required if signs are mild. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Antibiotics<\/strong> are only given if there\u2019s a risk or sign of secondary bacterial infection: commonly used ones include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/respiratory-system\/respiratory-diseases-of-small-animals\/kennel-cough?_gl=1*1ui4qx2*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAyNDYwMzk3OC4xNzYzNzYyNDY3*_ga_HM7HGJFRVG*czE3NjM3NjI0NjYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjM3NjI0NjYkajYwJGwwJGgw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">amoxicillin\/clavulanic acid<\/a>. \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Note that if you are using antibiotics that you should aim to replenish your dog&#8217;s gut with probiotics. A good option is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/supplements\/dog-supplements\/digestion-upset-stomach-probiotics\/four-leaf-rover-saccharomyces-boulardii-probiotic-yeast-for-dogs-46.7-g\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this pet probiotic which is yeast based<\/a> and so is not affected by antibiotics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cough suppressants<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/respiratory-system\/respiratory-diseases-of-small-animals\/kennel-cough?_gl=1*1ui4qx2*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAyNDYwMzk3OC4xNzYzNzYyNDY3*_ga_HM7HGJFRVG*czE3NjM3NjI0NjYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjM3NjI0NjYkajYwJGwwJGgw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">For comfort, but <em>not<\/em> if pneumonia is present<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Isolation<\/strong>: Dogs with kennel cough should be separated from other dogs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you find that your dog&#8217;s symptoms are not as serious and you want to manage this at home, see below for home remedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4<\/strong> <strong>Effective Home Remedies: Treating Kennel Cough in Dogs Naturally<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Kennel-Cough-in-Dogs-683x1024.png\" alt=\"How to treat kennel cough in dogs\" class=\"wp-image-1057\" style=\"width:300px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Kennel-Cough-in-Dogs-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Kennel-Cough-in-Dogs-100x150.png 100w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Kennel-Cough-in-Dogs-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Kennel-Cough-in-Dogs.png 735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How to treat Kennel Cough in Dogs at Home<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\"><strong>Isolate your dog<\/strong> since it is highly contagious. Kennel cough spreads very easily in close contact situations with other<\/span> dogs. Here is what to do for kennel cough in terms of effective, gentle at-home strategies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Steam Therapy \/ Humidifier<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Use a humidifier in your dog\u2019s resting area or bring them into the bathroom during a hot shower for 10\u201315 minutes. This helps loosen mucus and soothes their throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2.<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/supplements\/dog-supplements\/antioxidants-immune-support\/?subcategory=658\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Herbal Pet Lung &amp; Respiratory Remedies<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>NaturPet Lung Care (formerly Healthy Lungs)<\/strong>: <span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\">has great success in treating kennel cough in dogs. It is an oral remedy with active and preventative ingredients for respiratory conditions. Naturpet Lung Care helps clear your pet&#8217;s lungs and controls dry coughing. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Oregano Oil:<\/strong> Has antimicrobial properties, but must be <strong>diluted<\/strong> (e.g., 1\u20132 drops in coconut oil or a little honey) and used cautiously. <span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\">You could use it in <strong>either of the following ways:<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Add one to two drops of oregano oil to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to increase the treatment from both oils. <strong>The coconut oil makes the oregano oil taste less harsh for treating kennel cough in your dog.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add one to two drops of oregano oil to raw honey as this will also dilute the oregano oil and soothe your dog&#8217;s throat. Do not use honey for puppies due to risk of botulism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We&#8217;ve had doggy customers who&#8217;ve recovered in about two weeks using this treatment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Coconut Oil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Use 1\/4\u20131 tsp per 10 lb of body weight, mixed with food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Rest &amp; Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Provide a quiet, warm place for your dog to rest and recover. Use a <strong>harness<\/strong> instead of a collar to reduce pressure on the throat during coughing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Prevention: How to Reduce the Risk of Kennel Cough<\/strong> <strong>in Dogs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Vaccination:<\/strong> Especially for dogs at risk (boarding, daycare, social environments). Use the right Bordetella + parainfluenza vaccine. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Good hygiene &amp; disinfection:<\/strong> Clean shared areas with powerful disinfectants. According to shelter protocols, Bordetella can be inactivated by household disinfectants (e.g., diluted bleach, peroxide-based) if surfaces are properly dried. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limit exposure:<\/strong> Avoid crowded dog areas when risk is high, and isolate symptomatic dogs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Proper ventilation:<\/strong> Keep your dog\u2019s home or kennel environment well-ventilated to reduce airborne droplet spread.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When to See a Vet Immediately<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Do <strong>not<\/strong> delay veterinary care if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your dog has a <strong>persistent, worsening cough<\/strong> for more than 1\u20132 weeks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shows signs of <strong>pneumonia<\/strong> (fever, productive cough, nasal discharge)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is a <strong>puppy<\/strong> or an <strong>older\/immune-compromised dog<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Isn\u2019t improving with home care or seems to be in distress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Real-World Notes &amp; Risk Considerations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bordetella may be shed for as long as <strong>three months<\/strong>, even after symptoms resolve.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some dogs will still cough even with vaccination \u2014 the vaccine <em>reduces severity<\/em>, but doesn&#8217;t guarantee complete protection. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kennel cough in dogs can sound scary \u2014 that honking cough is memorable \u2014 but many cases are <strong>mild and self-limiting<\/strong> with good rest and supportive care. Use natural remedies to ease symptoms, but don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to your vet, especially if your dog is very young, very old, or showing severe signs. With the right care, most dogs recover fully in a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><em>&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Moonlight Natural Pet Store<\/a> is a holistic pet store in Vancouver, BC.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Kennel Cough in dogs? We share tips on how kennel cough works as well as tips on how to treat kennel cough in dogs at home effectively and simply. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1054,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[664,663,662,665],"class_list":["post-89","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dog-cat-health","tag-avoid-kennel-cough","tag-kennel-cough","tag-kennel-cough-in-dogs","tag-oregano-oil-and-kennel-cough"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=89"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=89"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moonlightpetstore.com\/pet-health-pet-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=89"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}