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Is kennel cough contagious to humans? Exercise & cleaning tips.

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dachshund | Male | neutered | 6 years and 9 months old | 16 lbs

Can my dog give me kennel cough? He licks me a lot...my other 2 questions about kennel cough are, can I exercise my dog the same as before? He coughs alot when he is running. How can I stop that? Also, how long does it take for the germs to die off of his bed and toys and other things he touches? Do I need to wash them? Thank you for all your help!

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 3rd, 2019

There are a few reports of Bordetella bacteria affecting severely immunocompromised people, but the other viruses cannot affect people. I typically recommend moderate exercise restriction until the cough improves. The virus and bacteria are not very hardy in the environment, and direct contact is necessary for spread. Routine cleaning should be fine.

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    Answered By Mariya Gugel, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 27th, 2017

    Thank you for using pet coach! Kennel cough, which is caused by the bacteria Bordetella, is typically limited to the upper respiratory tract (the nasal passages and trachea) in otherwise healthy animals. It can typically be treated at home with antibiotics prescribed by a vet. Kennel cough is highly contagious to other dogs, especially young dogs or those who have not yet been vaccinated but cannot be transmitted to people.

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Related Questions

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How serious is Kennel Cough if treated right away? Also is it contagious to other dogs or Humans?
Thank you for using pet coach! Kennel cough, which is caused by the bacteria Bordetella, is typically limited to the upper respiratory tract (the nasal passages and trachea) in otherwise healthy animals. It can typically be treated at home with antibiotics prescribed by a vet. Kennel cough is highly contagious to other dogs, especially young dogs or those who have not yet been vaccinated but cannot be transmitted to people.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My dog was diagnosed with kennel cough on Monday July 30th. She has been on an antibiotic since then also. Is she contageious to my 9 month old neice?
Hello, no kennel cough is not transmissible to humans. The agents that cause kennel cough are specific to dogs and other canines. However, continue to make sure that you or your dog do not have interactions with other dogs as they could become infected with kennel cough as well. So if your niece has dog of her own, make sure she washes her hands and changes her clothes when she leaves your home so that she decreases the chances of her own dog becoming sick. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Our puppy just got diagnosed with kennel cough (even though she has been vaccinated). She has gotten medication but we’re wondering if her toys, bedding, food bowl etc need to be cleaned in case she re-infects herself with old germs on those objects?
You can clean/disinfect hher toys, bedding , etc., however it will likely not make much of a difference as most of the germs that cause kennel cough are ubiquitous, ie everywhere. Kennel cough is self-limiting, so will likely subside within the next two to three weeks. She will be fine, even if you do not disinfect everything.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Okay so my sisters dog has kennel cough. If her dog like cuddles and whatever with her and she comes over to my house without changing her clothes is it possible for my dog to get it too?
I'd have her change her clothes when she comes over. Viral and bacterial causes of canine cough are spread through airborne droplets produced by sneezing and coughing. These agents also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My doggie day care called to say one of their border dogs had kennel cough last week. I am suppose to bring my 2 very healthy, UTD on shots, spayed dogs ages 8/10 to play on Monday. This happened less than a month ago there. Would you recommend I
Kennel cough is very contagious and can be bacterial and/or viral. The bordetella vaccine can help shorten the course of disease if your dog is exposed, but does not prevent infection. With a deep cleaning and decontamination, the daycare facility should be able to eliminate it for now. Great job of them letting their customers know of the illness at their facility! I would wait at least a week to make sure they haven't had any more infected dogs.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hi, I’m a dog walker and three dogs that live together came down with kennel cough. I disinfected my clothes and car. I don’t want to spread it to other clients so I’m currently not walking those dogs. Is that overdoing it? How long before I shoul
No, it's not overdoing it. The virus particles can remain viable in the air for up to two weeks. You should not walk those dogs until they are completely cured from kennel cough. Advise your other clients to have their dogs vaccinated against kennel cough.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Health & Wellbeing
Can a dog get kennel cough without being exposed to other dogs
Kennel cough is spread through the air and by improper hygiene. Therefore, it could be spread to a dog that has no contact with other dogs if a human in the household was touching an infected dog and didn't wash up afterward, or by the dog being housed in an area where and infected dog had been recently. The chances of transmission by human contact are much less likely than being in a kennel situation, but still possible.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My pup was diagnosed with kennel cough yesterday (7-30-18). She started her anti-biotics the same day. If necessary, what steps do I need to take to sanitize our home and her toys? At what point should I do this to ensure that I am not re-exposing he
It is pretty likely that after Mila has gone through the course of kennel cough she is naturally immune to all these bacteria and viruses involved for quite a while. So you do not need to worry about her being reexposed. The antibiotic will kill the bacteria that are involved and may opportunistically superinfect your dog. Again once she has finished the course there is likely no chance she gets reinfected from residual bacteria in her environment. So you do not have to worry, just do not expose other dogs to her environment or let her come in contact with other dogs as kennel cough is very contagious.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Health & Wellbeing
I recently found out a dog I am around all the time has kennel cough. 1. Can I bring the disease home and infect my own dogs through germs on my clothing? 2. Is this disease contagious to humans? I'm pregnant so I guess I technically have a weakened
You will not be able to get kennel cough from your dog. Depending on what pathogen has caused the cough it may or may not be able to be spread on your clothing to other dogs. If you simply practice good hygiene, washing hands, etc., your dog's at home should be safe.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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I opened a dog kennel just over a year ago... recently my own dog started coughing and i am suspecting kennel cough. today i noticed 3 other dogs coughing at my kennel....I am cleaning cleaning cleaning but not sure how to handle this with my curren
I would not take in any more dogs unless you can keep them isolated in a separate airspace (an unconnected building). It is recommended dogs are not admitted to kennels, training groups etc unless vaccinated against kennel cough and this should be done at least a week beforehand in order to ensure they have a chance to develop immunity. As dogs can shed kennel cough for up to 3-4weeks all dogs being discharged and all future customers for the next month should be advised of the recent outbreak. It is of little concern in healthy dogs but can be very serious in puppies and older dogs and owners should be allowed to make an informed decision about the risk
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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