Kennel Cough—What Dog Owners Should Know

“KENNEL COUGH”: WHAT IT IS, HOW IT SPREADS, AND WHAT WE DO

After nearly two years without a known case of kennel cough at Dog Dayz, we saw a small handful of cases over the past month. Thankfully, the situation appears to have passed, but we believe in keeping our clients informed—especially about an illness that is common anywhere dogs gather.

“KENNEL COUGH” ISN’T JUST ONE ILLNESS

Kennel cough is the familiar name for Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex, or CIRDC. Despite the name, it isn’t caused by one particular virus or bacterium—and it isn’t limited to kennels. Numerous infectious agents can produce nearly identical symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, and occasionally more serious illness.

Dogs may encounter these germs anywhere they come into contact with other dogs, including daycare and boarding facilities, grooming salons, veterinary offices, training classes, dog parks, pet stores, trails, and even a friendly nose-to-nose greeting.

WHY IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO PREVENT

Kennel cough is often spread through the air when dogs are near one another. A dog may look completely healthy while carrying and spreading an infection, and symptoms may not appear until several days after exposure. This means an illness can unknowingly be brought into even the cleanest, most carefully managed facility.

Vaccination remains an important line of protection, but it cannot prevent every case. There are multiple organisms that can cause respiratory illness, and vaccines are available for only some of them. Much like a human flu shot, vaccination may reduce the likelihood, severity, and duration of illness without providing complete protection.

THE BENEFITS—AND RISKS—OF SOCIAL CARE

The Dog Dayz model is built around social interaction, enrichment, exercise, and activity whenever appropriate. Dogs are not simply housed separately all day; they enjoy carefully selected playgroups, walks, hikes, and time with both dogs and people. This active, social approach is a big part of what makes Dog Dayz special—and why so many dogs genuinely love being here.

However, more interaction naturally means more potential exposure to other dogs and the germs they may unknowingly carry. We keep our groups small and thoughtfully matched, maintain high sanitation standards, and closely monitor every dog, but no social environment can completely eliminate the risk of contagious illness. This is an inherent tradeoff of allowing dogs to enjoy the companionship, play, exercise, and enrichment central to our care. Additionally, dogs with very little previous exposure to other dogs may have less naturally acquired immunity to some circulating respiratory germs, which can make their first experiences in a group environment a bigger adjustment for their immune system.

WHAT WE DO AT DOG DAYZ

We require current vaccinations, follow daily cleaning and disinfecting procedures, monitor dogs closely for signs of illness, and have an established protocol whenever respiratory symptoms are reported or observed. If a dog develops a cough, sneezing, nasal discharge, or other signs of illness, we separate them from other dogs, contact their owner, and take additional precautions throughout the facility.

Even with careful sanitation and close monitoring, no daycare or boarding facility can entirely eliminate the possibility of an airborne illness. What we can do—and always do—is respond quickly, communicate honestly, and take every reasonable step to protect the dogs in our care.

WHAT DOG OWNERS CAN DO

Please keep your dog home and contact your veterinarian if you notice coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, unusual tiredness, reduced appetite, or difficulty breathing. Because dogs may remain contagious after they appear to have recovered, follow your veterinarian’s guidance before returning to daycare, boarding, grooming, dog parks, or other places where dogs gather.

Kennel cough is common, contagious, and usually mild, but it should always be taken seriously. Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with underlying health concerns may be at greater risk of complications and should be evaluated promptly.

We are grateful to our trusted veterinarians at All West Veterinary Hospital for helping us understand and manage this complicated—and sometimes frustrating—part of caring for dogs in a social environment.