My dog has kennel cough. Can my cats catch it in the same house?

Question

My dog has kennel cough. He's on doxycycline and a steroid. Is there any risk to my 2 cats living in the same house? Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 6 years old | 57 lbs

Stacey Anstaett, DVM · Accepted Answer

The bacteria Bordatella, which is most often implicated in kennel cough, can cause disease in cats. So there is a risk to your cats, though as long as the cats are adults and are in good overall health, I don't think you need to be overly concerned. Bordatella can cause upper respiratory signs in cats (sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, etc). While it can be spread from dogs to cats, the frequency in which this occurs in a home setting has been established. (Again, the symptoms are different, cats don't develop the honking cough we so often see in dogs). If your cats start to show symptoms such as runny eyes or nose, decreased appetite, cough, or any change in their breathing, take them to your vet, and be sure to let your vet know that your dog has recently been diagnosed with kennel cough. While it may be ideal to separate the dog from the cats, I understand it may not be practical, and likely wouldn't occur in my house either. Additionally, the cats have already been exposed if they've been around the dog up until now. Keep in mind it will likely be about 5-10 days after exposure for symptoms to occur. Bordatella in cats is generally responsive to antibiotics, and the prognosis should they become affected is quite good with adequate care. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

My dog has kennel cough. Can my cats catch it in the same house?

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