Kennel Cough in Australia — 5 Things Every Dog Owner Should Know

If Your Dog Has Started Coughing, Here’s What To Know First

A sudden dry, honking cough from your dog is understandably alarming. But in most cases, kennel cough — while highly contagious — is manageable, and the majority of healthy adult dogs recover well with rest and supportive care.

This guide is designed to give you calm, practical information: what kennel cough actually is, how to recognise it, how to prevent it where possible, and how to support your dog through recovery. We’re not here to alarm you — we’re here to help you feel informed and prepared.

At Bark with Buster®, we’ve spent years caring for dogs through Pet Stays Melbourne — including dogs that have come to us mid-recovery from kennel cough. This guide reflects what we’ve genuinely observed, not clinical theory.

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough (also called canine cough or infectious tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs. It’s caused by a combination of pathogens — most commonly Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria alongside viral agents including parainfluenza and adenovirus.

It spreads through airborne droplets, shared water bowls, direct contact, and contaminated surfaces — which is why it’s so common in environments where dogs socialise closely. It’s frequently seen during cooler months and busy boarding periods, though it can occur year-round.

The name “kennel cough” comes from its association with boarding kennels, but it can be picked up anywhere dogs gather — dog parks, grooming salons, training classes, and daycare centres.

1. Kennel Cough Is Highly Contagious Between Dogs

This is the most important thing to understand about kennel cough. It spreads very easily between dogs — through airborne droplets when an infected dog coughs or sneezes, through shared water bowls and toys, and through direct nose-to-nose contact.

Importantly, dogs can be contagious for up to 2–3 weeks after infection — even as symptoms begin to improve. This means an apparently recovering dog can still pass the infection to others.

If your dog has kennel cough, keep them away from other dogs for at least 2–3 weeks, even after the cough starts to settle. Avoid dog parks, daycare, grooming, and shared spaces during this time.

2. These Are The Signs To Watch For

The classic sign of kennel cough is a dry, hacking, or “honking” cough — often described as sounding like something is stuck in your dog’s throat. It can be startling the first time you hear it.

Other common symptoms include:

• Gagging or retching after coughing episodes
• Sneezing and mild runny nose
• Mild lethargy — though many dogs remain relatively bright and active
• Reduced appetite in more significant cases
• Mild fever in some dogs

In mild cases, dogs often remain reasonably energetic and continue eating normally — the cough is the primary concern. In more significant cases, or in vulnerable dogs, symptoms can be more pronounced.

3. Vaccination Helps But Doesn’t Guarantee Full Protection

The kennel cough vaccine (Bordetella) is widely recommended for dogs that regularly socialise, board, or attend grooming. It significantly reduces the severity of symptoms and speeds recovery — but it doesn’t provide complete immunity, particularly against all strains of the infection.

Vaccinated dogs can still contract kennel cough, but their symptoms are typically much milder and recovery is faster. This is why vaccination is still strongly recommended — it meaningfully reduces the impact even when it doesn’t prevent infection entirely.

Talk to your vet about the right vaccination schedule for your dog’s lifestyle. High-risk dogs (those that board, attend daycare, or visit dog parks regularly) may benefit from more frequent boosters.

4. Prevention Goes Beyond Vaccination

Vaccination is important, but there are practical steps you can take alongside it to reduce your dog’s risk:

• Maintain good hygiene — wash water bowls, bedding, and toys regularly
• Be cautious during busy periods — kennel cough is more common during cooler months and peak boarding seasons
• Choose smaller, lower-density environments — home-based boarding and smaller daycare settings carry lower transmission risk than large kennels
• Support your dog’s immune system — good nutrition, minimal stress, and regular exercise all contribute to overall resilience. Choosing single-ingredient, air dehydrated treats with no artificial additives is one simple way to keep your dog’s diet clean year-round
• Isolate promptly — if your dog shows symptoms, keep them away from other dogs immediately

5. Most Dogs Recover Well With Supportive Care

The reassuring reality: most healthy adult dogs recover from kennel cough within 2–3 weeks with rest and supportive care. Antibiotics are generally only needed if a bacterial infection is confirmed or complications develop — your vet will advise.

What your dog needs most during recovery:

• Rest — limit exercise and excitement, which can trigger coughing episodes
• Hydration — fresh water always available; warm chicken broth (no seasoning, onion, or garlic) can encourage drinking
• Warmth and comfort — a calm, warm sleeping environment supports recovery
• Steam therapy — 15 minutes in a steamy bathroom can help loosen mucus and ease breathing
• Honey — a small amount of raw Australian honey (for dogs over 1 year) can soothe an irritated throat
• Gentle nutrition — easy-to-digest, single-ingredient treats support appetite without adding digestive stress. During recovery, avoid rich or heavily processed treats and stick to simple, clean options

Important: Never give your dog human cough medicines or syrups — many contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Always consult your vet before giving any medication or supplement.

Supporting Your Dog’s Recovery Through Nutrition

During and after kennel cough recovery, keeping your dog’s digestive system settled is important. A recovering dog doesn’t need rich, complex treats — they need simple, clean nutrition that’s easy to process.

Single-ingredient, air dehydrated treats are ideal during this period. No artificial additives, no fillers, no unnecessary ingredients that could add digestive stress on top of respiratory recovery. This is also a good time to avoid very hard or dense chews — coughing dogs are better served by softer, gentler options rather than long lasting chews that require sustained effort.

Our Healthy Dog Treats range and Sensitive Stomach collection are both well suited to dogs in recovery. For more on choosing the right treats for dogs with sensitive systems, see our guide to Best Dog Treats For Sensitive Stomachs Australia.

What We’ve Observed Through Years Around Social Dogs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can humans catch kennel cough from dogs?

No. Kennel cough is species-specific to dogs and is not transmissible to humans.

How long is a dog with kennel cough contagious?

Up to 2–3 weeks after infection, even as symptoms improve. Keep your dog isolated from other dogs throughout this period.

Can a vaccinated dog still get kennel cough?

Yes — but symptoms are typically much milder and recovery is faster. Vaccination is still strongly recommended for social dogs.

Is kennel cough dangerous?

For most healthy adult dogs, no — it’s uncomfortable but manageable. Puppies, senior dogs, and immune-compromised dogs are at higher risk of complications and should see a vet promptly.

Can kennel cough go away on its own?

In mild cases in healthy adult dogs, yes — typically within 2–3 weeks with rest and supportive care. However, always monitor closely and consult your vet if symptoms worsen or don’t improve.

What’s the difference between kennel cough and a regular cough?

Kennel cough produces a distinctive dry, honking sound — often described as a goose honk — and is usually accompanied by gagging. A regular cough from irritation (such as pulling on a lead) is typically softer and doesn’t persist for days.

Can kennel cough come back after recovery?

Yes. Dogs can be reinfected, particularly with different strains. Maintaining vaccination and good hygiene practices helps reduce recurrence.

What treats are good for a dog recovering from kennel cough?

Simple, single-ingredient, air dehydrated treats are ideal — easy to digest, no artificial additives, and gentle on a recovering system. See our Sensitive Stomach collection for suitable options.

Further Reading

• Best Dog Treats For Sensitive Stomachs Australia — gentle options for dogs with digestive sensitivity
• Are Australian Made Dog Treats Better? — why ingredient quality and sourcing matters
• Best Long Lasting Dog Chews For Aggressive Chewers — for when your dog is back to full health
• Healthy Dog Treats Australia — clean, single ingredient treats
• Sensitive Stomach Dog Treats — gentle options for recovery and sensitive systems
• Dog Training Treats Australia — small, gentle rewards for everyday use
• Dog Treat FAQs — more answers about ingredients, feeding, and suitability