Pocket VetKennel cough in dogs
Kennel cough is a contagious respiratory infection causing a distinctive honking cough. It's usually mild but can be serious in puppies or older dogs.
What it is
A complex of viruses and bacteria (often Bordetella) inflames the airways, causing a dry, hacking cough. It spreads easily where dogs gather — kennels, parks, daycare — hence the name.
Symptoms
- ●A persistent honking or hacking cough
- ●Gagging or retching after coughing
- ●Mild nasal discharge
- ●Usually still bright and eating
🔴 When to act now
- ●Difficulty breathing, blue gums, lethargy, or not eating
- ●Coughing in a young puppy or sick older dog — see a vet
Treatment & management
Most healthy dogs recover in 1–3 weeks with rest. A vet may prescribe cough suppressants or antibiotics if needed. A harness (not a collar) reduces airway irritation. Vaccination (Bordetella) helps prevent it.
Seeing these signs in your dog?
Get an instant, calm triage on the exact symptoms — home care, vet soon, or emergency.
Check my dog nowFrequently asked
Does kennel cough go away on its own?
In healthy adult dogs it often resolves in 1–3 weeks with rest. But puppies, seniors, and dogs that stop eating or struggle to breathe need a vet — it can progress to pneumonia.
Is kennel cough contagious to other dogs?
Yes, very. Keep a coughing dog away from others for the duration of illness, and ask your vet about the Bordetella vaccine if your dog socialises often.
More dog conditions
Go deeper
Pocket Vet editorial team
Written and maintained by the Pocket Vet editorial team using authoritative veterinary sources. Reviewed June 9, 2026. This guide is informational only and not a substitute for professional veterinary care — see our editorial & safety policy. When in doubt, contact your vet; in a true emergency, go to an emergency clinic immediately.
Sources