Kennel cough, also known as infectious canine tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that affects dogs. It’s characterized by a distinctive, hacking cough that often sounds like a goose honk or like the dog has something stuck in its throat. While usually not life-threatening, kennel cough can be very uncomfortable and stressful for both the dog and its owner. Fortunately, there are several effective home remedies that can help soothe your dog’s symptoms and support their recovery, alongside veterinary care.
Understanding Kennel Cough and When to Seek Veterinary Advice
Before delving into home remedies, it’s crucial to understand what kennel cough is and when professional medical attention is paramount. Kennel cough is caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria, most commonly Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza virus. It spreads rapidly in environments where dogs are in close contact, such as boarding kennels, dog parks, and grooming facilities. Symptoms typically appear 3-7 days after exposure and can include a forceful, dry cough, gagging, nasal discharge, sneezing, and lethargy.
While kennel cough often resolves on its own within a few weeks, it’s essential to consult a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has it. A vet can provide a proper diagnosis, rule out more serious conditions like pneumonia, and prescribe appropriate medications if necessary. Antibiotics may be recommended if a bacterial infection is severe, and cough suppressants might be prescribed for persistent, irritating coughing that disrupts sleep.
Key indicators that warrant immediate veterinary attention include:
- A cough that produces thick, colored mucus.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Fever or a significant drop in energy levels.
- Loss of appetite.
- The cough persisting for more than three weeks.
- If your dog is very young, elderly, or has a compromised immune system.
Home remedies are intended to complement, not replace, veterinary care. They focus on providing comfort, supporting the immune system, and easing the irritating cough.
The Power of Rest and a Calm Environment
One of the most fundamental and effective home remedies for kennel cough is ensuring your dog gets plenty of rest in a calm, quiet environment. Stress can exacerbate coughing fits and hinder the healing process.
Creating a Restful Sanctuary
- Minimize Excitement: Limit playtime, vigorous exercise, and interactions with other dogs. Avoid situations that might trigger excitement or anxiety.
- Quiet Space: Designate a comfortable, quiet area in your home where your dog can relax undisturbed. This might be their usual bed or a cozy corner.
- Temperature Control: Ensure the environment is neither too hot nor too cold. A comfortable room temperature is ideal for respiratory health.
- Avoid Irritants: Keep your dog away from smoke, strong perfumes, aerosol sprays, and other airborne irritants that can further inflame their airways and trigger coughing.
Adequate rest allows the body to focus its energy on fighting the infection and repairing damaged tissues in the respiratory tract. Think of it as creating a “sick bay” for your furry friend.
Hydration is Key: Supporting a Healthy Respiratory System
Staying well-hydrated is crucial for thinning mucus and making it easier for your dog to clear their airways. Dehydration can thicken secretions, making coughing more productive but also more uncomfortable.
Encouraging Fluid Intake
- Fresh Water Availability: Always ensure fresh, clean water is readily available.
- Warm Broth: Offer unsalted, low-sodium chicken or beef broth (ensure no onions or garlic are present, as these are toxic to dogs). Warming the broth slightly can make it more appealing and soothing.
- Hydrating Foods: Consider adding a small amount of plain, canned pumpkin (not pie filling) or cooked, unsalted sweet potato to their food, as these are good sources of moisture and nutrients.
Remember, a dog that feels unwell may not drink as much as usual. Gently encouraging fluid intake through these methods can make a significant difference in their recovery.
Soothing the Throat: Natural Cough Relief
The hallmark of kennel cough is the persistent, often hacking cough. Several natural ingredients can help soothe an irritated throat and reduce the frequency and severity of coughing episodes.
Honey: Nature’s Cough Suppressant
Raw honey, particularly Manuka honey, has been recognized for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potent natural remedy for coughs in humans and dogs.
- How to Administer: You can give your dog a small amount of raw honey directly. A common recommendation is about 1 teaspoon for every 20 pounds of body weight, given a few times a day. It can also be mixed with a little warm water or broth.
Important Considerations for Honey:
- Raw and Unpasteurized: Ensure the honey is raw and unpasteurized to retain its beneficial properties.
- Avoid for Puppies Under One Year: Never give honey to puppies under one year of age due to the risk of botulism.
- Diabetic Dogs: Exercise caution and consult your vet before giving honey to diabetic dogs due to its sugar content.
Herbal Teas: Gentle Respiratory Support
Certain herbal teas can offer soothing benefits for a dog’s respiratory system.
- Licorice Root: Licorice root has expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help loosen mucus and soothe an irritated throat. Prepare a weak licorice root tea by steeping a small amount of dried licorice root in hot water, letting it cool completely, and then offering it to your dog in their water bowl or mixed with food. Use sparingly and as directed by your vet.
- Marshmallow Root: Marshmallow root is known for its mucilaginous properties, meaning it creates a soothing, gel-like substance that can coat and protect the throat. Prepare a cold infusion of marshmallow root by steeping dried root in cold water for several hours or overnight. Strain and offer the infused water to your dog.
Always use herbs cautiously and in moderation, and consult your veterinarian before introducing any new herbal remedies, especially if your dog has pre-existing health conditions or is on medication.
Humidifying the Air: Easing Congestion and Irritation
Dry air can aggravate a sore throat and make coughing more severe. Increasing the humidity in your dog’s environment can help loosen mucus and make breathing more comfortable.
Creating a Humid Environment
- Humidifier: Using a cool-mist humidifier in the room where your dog sleeps can provide consistent moisture. Ensure the humidifier is kept clean to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
- Steam Therapy: You can create a temporary steamy environment by running a hot shower in your bathroom and sitting with your dog in the steamy bathroom (not in the shower itself!) for 10-15 minutes. This can help loosen mucus and ease congestion.
Important Note on Steam: Always supervise your dog closely during steam therapy and ensure the room temperature is comfortable, not excessively hot.
Dietary Support: Nourishing a Sick Dog
A strong immune system is vital for recovery. While your dog might have a reduced appetite when feeling unwell, providing easily digestible and nutrient-rich food is important.
Appetizing and Nutritious Meals
- Softer Foods: Consider offering softer, more palatable food options. This could include plain boiled chicken or turkey mixed with their regular kibble, or a high-quality wet food.
- Bone Broth: As mentioned earlier, unsalted bone broth can be a great addition to their diet, providing hydration and nutrients.
- Probiotics: Once your dog is recovering and their appetite has returned, consider adding a canine-specific probiotic to their diet. Probiotics support gut health, which plays a significant role in overall immune function.
Always consult your veterinarian about any significant changes to your dog’s diet, especially when they are ill.
Preventative Measures: Protecting Your Dog from Future Infections
While home remedies focus on recovery, it’s also important to consider prevention to protect your dog from future bouts of kennel cough.
Vaccination and Avoiding Exposure
- Vaccination: The Bordetella vaccine is a key preventative measure against kennel cough. Discuss with your veterinarian whether this vaccine is appropriate for your dog based on their lifestyle and risk of exposure.
- Limit Exposure: During periods of high incidence of kennel cough (often during colder months or when many dogs gather), consider limiting your dog’s exposure to crowded environments like dog parks and busy kennels.
- Good Hygiene: Practice good hygiene, especially if you frequent places with many dogs. Wash your hands before and after interacting with other dogs, and clean your dog’s bowls and toys regularly.
By combining diligent veterinary care with these gentle, natural home remedies, you can significantly help your canine companion recover from kennel cough and return to their happy, healthy selves. Always remember that your veterinarian is your most valuable resource in managing your dog’s health.
What is kennel cough and why does it occur?
Kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that affects dogs. It is typically caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria, most commonly Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza virus. These pathogens irritate and inflame the lining of a dog’s trachea and bronchi, leading to the characteristic hacking cough.
The disease gets its name from its prevalence in environments where many dogs congregate, such as kennels, boarding facilities, dog parks, and grooming salons. Close contact with infected dogs allows for the easy transmission of airborne droplets containing the pathogens. Stress and other underlying health issues can also make dogs more susceptible to developing kennel cough.
What are some of the common symptoms of kennel cough?
The most noticeable symptom of kennel cough is a sudden, dry, hacking cough that often sounds like a goose honk or like something is stuck in the dog’s throat. This cough can be triggered by excitement, exercise, or pressure on the trachea, such as from a collar. Some dogs may also gag or retch after coughing.
In addition to the cough, you might observe other signs like a runny nose, sneezing, mild lethargy, and a decreased appetite. While most dogs with kennel cough are otherwise bright and alert, in some cases, the coughing can be persistent and cause discomfort, leading to restlessness and difficulty sleeping.
How can honey help soothe a dog’s kennel cough?
Honey possesses natural antibacterial properties and can help to coat and soothe an irritated throat. Its thick consistency can create a protective barrier over inflamed tissues, reducing the tickle that triggers coughing fits. This can provide temporary relief and make your dog more comfortable.
To administer honey, you can give your dog a small spoonful (about 1 teaspoon for smaller dogs, 1 tablespoon for larger dogs) directly. It can also be mixed with warm water or a little bit of their food. Ensure you are using raw, unpasteurized honey for its optimal beneficial properties. Avoid giving it to puppies under one year of age due to the risk of botulism.
What role can steam inhalation play in relieving kennel cough symptoms?
Inhaling steam can help to moisten the airways and loosen mucus, making it easier for your dog to cough it up and clear their respiratory passages. This can alleviate congestion and reduce the irritation that leads to coughing. The warm, moist air can also be very comforting to a sore throat.
You can create a steam-rich environment by running a hot shower in a closed bathroom and sitting with your dog in the steamy room for 10-15 minutes, a few times a day. Alternatively, you can carefully lean over a bowl of hot (not boiling) water with your dog, ensuring they are not too close to the water to prevent burns, and cover yourselves with a towel to trap the steam.
Can probiotics be beneficial for a dog suffering from kennel cough?
Probiotics can support a dog’s immune system and gut health, which can indirectly aid in their recovery from kennel cough. A strong immune system is better equipped to fight off the infection, and a healthy gut microbiome contributes to overall well-being and resilience. While not a direct cough suppressant, they can promote faster healing.
You can incorporate probiotics into your dog’s diet through specialized dog probiotic supplements or by offering certain fermented foods like plain, unsweetened yogurt with live active cultures. Always introduce new foods or supplements gradually and consult with your veterinarian before making significant dietary changes, especially if your dog has existing health conditions.
When should I seek veterinary attention for my dog’s kennel cough?
It is crucial to consult a veterinarian if your dog exhibits any signs of severe illness, such as difficulty breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite, or a fever. While many cases of kennel cough resolve on their own with supportive care, these more serious symptoms can indicate a secondary bacterial infection or pneumonia, which requires prompt medical treatment.
Additionally, if the cough is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by thick, colored nasal discharge, it’s advisable to seek veterinary advice. Your vet can accurately diagnose kennel cough, rule out other potential respiratory issues, and prescribe appropriate medications if necessary, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, to prevent complications and speed up recovery.
Are there any natural remedies that can help boost my dog’s immune system to fight kennel cough?
Certain natural ingredients can support your dog’s immune system, helping their body better combat the pathogens responsible for kennel cough. These include ingredients rich in antioxidants and immune-boosting properties. For example, incorporating a small amount of cooked, unseasoned chicken broth into their water can encourage hydration and provide some nutrients.
Additionally, some veterinarians suggest that adding certain herbs like licorice root or marshmallow root to your dog’s diet can help soothe their throat and potentially support their immune response, though it’s vital to discuss dosages and suitability with your vet first. A balanced, nutritious diet is the cornerstone of a strong immune system, so ensuring your dog is eating high-quality food is paramount.