18 Ways To Treat Kennel Cough In Dogs

Source : pexels

Coughing in dogs can raise concern in their owner with one of the most common respiratory infections, which can be persistent and cause great discomfort to your dog. General knowledge about it can help you care for your dog more effectively.

This article contains 18 effective ways to treat kennel cough in dogs so you may take a holistic approach toward the management of this condition in your pet. These methods can help you make your dog more comfortable, speed up their recovery, and get back to their old cheerful, and playful self. From the natural to the medical, each of the treatment options is usefully designed for relief and comfort, assisting your furry friend's journey back to health.


1. Use A Humidifier

A humidifier adds moisture to the air that soothes the irritated throat of the dog due to the kennel cough easing breathing. You would place that unit near an area where your dog is used to lying in order to benefit from the moistened air during both day and night. Only this very small addition to your home may facilitate recovery without too much hassle.

This condition can be extremely helpful in very dry states or during winter when the degree of humidity in the indoor air is low. You should clean your humidifier; if dirty, it may draw mold and bacteria, which may be more irritating to your dog's condition. With consistent usage, a humidifier will manage to create an environment that is comfortable and conducive to healing for dogs.

Humidification, such as the introduction of a humidifier into the kennel cough treatment plan for dogs during the disease process, might be quite helpful. It is easily applicable, not expensive, and therefore suitable, in combination with other treatments, to comfort your pet during the recovery time.

2. Honey For Cough Relief

Source : pexels

Honey serves as a natural antibiotic that can help heal a dog's throat from the inside. It also works to reduce inflammation, which helps quiet the cough. You can mix a teaspoon into your dog's food, or give it by mouth if they like how it tastes. This sugary remedy can offer some welcome relief from the discomfort kennel cough causes in them.

Honey is generally safe for dogs but should be given in moderation to avoid any digestive upsets. Be sure to consult your vet before adding honey to your dog's diet if your dog has diabetes or other health concerns. Giving honey regularly will help ease discomfort, thus soothing and comforting the dog, allowing them to fight off infection, reduce miserable symptoms of kennel cough, and shorten the time until they start feeling better. 

3. Isolate Your Dog

Isolation of your dog is of prime importance in preventing the transmission of kennel cough to other animals. Keep the infected dog away from other pets at home, and never take it to places where it might come into contact with other dogs. This step shall not only ensure the health conditions of other animals but will also decrease the chance of its outbreak in the locality.

Allow your dog to have a quiet, comfortable area to lie down, rest, and recover. Isolation must continue until your dog does not show any signs of kennel cough anymore. Make sure to clean and disinfect all the shared things, such as food and water vessels and toys, to remove the remaining bacteria or viruses. By keeping your dog isolated, you give it the best chance of recovering quickly and not falling ill again from infection. This is a responsible act toward ensuring the full health and well-being of the animal community.

4. Offer Plenty Rest

The most critical feature associated with the treatment of kennel cough in dogs involves giving them plenty of rest. This allows the immune system to charge and remove the infection, which will in turn make the healing process faster.

Provide your dog with a comfortable bed in the quietest area of the house and limit his activities. You can do so much towards the healing process of your dog by just letting it have plenty of rest. Adequate rest not only helps the dog recover physically but also reduces stress, which sometimes can help in the recovery. By allowing your dog to have a good rest and recover, you are literally giving it the upper hand quickly and, more importantly, comfortably conquering kennel cough.

5. Provide Hydration

Source : pexels

Water will thin out mucus and moisten the throat of a dog, hence reducing the discomfort and coughing to a great extent. It becomes of paramount importance to keep your dog properly hydrated during times when it is suffering from kennel cough. Make sure your furry friend has fresh water at all times which can encourage him to drink often.

Offering your furry friend with ice cubes or ice chips can be a more refreshing way to keep them hydrated. If your dog isn't interested in drinking water you can add a tiny bit of low-sodium chicken broth into the water to make it more attractive. Proper hydration supports health overall and helps your dog feel better and recover faster from kennel cough. Making sure he has enough water to drink will give him an easy but effective way to support his recovery and comfort during this time.

6. Serve Soft Food

Soft food is easier on the throat and can be easier to swallow; therefore, it can be a good option for a dog with kennel cough. You can feed canned dog food, make some homemade soft meals, or soak dry kibble in warm water or broth until it becomes soft which helps your pet to keep eating and fulfill its nutritional need.

You can make changes to their diet for a while so your dog can recover easily. Feeding soft food is quite an easy way to make a big difference in the comfort and health of your dog during its phase of healing from kennel cough. It makes sure that it gets proper nutrition without encouraging irritation to the throat area.

7. Use A Harness

Source : pexels

A harness may help to avoid further stress on the dog's throat, which can lead to coughing. Different from a collar, this one helps to even out the pressure on the body of the dog. This is especially true when your dog might be suffering from sore throats due to kennel cough. It is one simple way to change the discomfort of walks and outings.

Collars can irritate coughing by putting pressure directly onto the trachea, especially if your dog is a puller. Switching over to a harness may save this irritation and have your dog breathe much easier. Just be certain that the harness fits appropriately and won't be irritating for your dog to wear. Help ease the discomfort of kennel cough and allow your dog to enjoy daily walks with far greater ease. It is a slight modification to make, but it can make all the difference in their comfort and recovery time.

8. Avoid Smoke Exposure

Keep your dog away from smoke, cigarette smoke, and other air pollutants if they have kennel cough. Smoke can aggravate the dog's respiratory system and make them much worse, which would hinder their healing. Keep your dog in a smoke-free environment, for his or her sake, to help in the recovery process.

If you smoke, do so outside and away from your dog, and also avoid strong household cleaners or any other chemicals that can release fumes. Keeping the area clean and smoke-free can really make a difference in minimizing your poor dog's discomfort as he is recuperating from this kennel cough. This will help him to avoid smoke, thus protecting his breathing and his recovery from kennel cough. This is easily implemented and might have a very positive effect on his healing process and his overall well-being.

9. Elevate Food Bowls

Elevate the food and water bowls to reduce bending at mealtimes. This will make it much easier to swallow and relax the throat area, thereby helping to eliminate coughing. It is most recommended to use a raised feeder or place the bowls on a stable surface to reach the comfortable height your dog needs. Small changes can be applied to make your dog eat and drink without discomfort.

Moreover, such an elevated feeding position can ensure great digestion and minimize the chances of choking or gagging. Place the set of bowls at a height where your dog can easily reach them without excessive bending. Doing so will create a much more enjoyable mealtime for your dog.Elevated food and water bowls will be easy and practical in helping any dog in recovery from kennel cough by minimizing irritation to the throat and easing discomfort while eating and drinking.

10. Over-the-Counter Cough Suppressants

Cough suppressants are helpful in reducing the frequency and severity which you can easily administer by consulting your vet but be aware to not mix them with any prescribed medications. Your vet will give you the best possible recommendation about a product and dosage most suitable for your dog.

These medications will suppress the urge to cough as they soothe your dog's throat, reduce irritation, make your dog more comfortable, and allow them to rest, which they definitely need, in order for them to recover. Always carefully follow instructions from the vet and monitor your dog for possible side effects. Using over-the-counter cough suppressants under the guidance of your vet can help manage your dog's symptoms of kennel cough. It will give them a lot of relief by causing the pet to cough less and thus recover more easily.

11. Warm Chicken Broth

Source : pexels

A nice, warm chicken broth can serve as a very appealing drink for them to moisten their throat a little and stimulate them to drink more liquids. Chicken broth is hydrating, with some nutritional value, which comes in handy when your dog is recovering. Make sure it's low-sodium and contains absolutely no noxious ingredients, like onions or garlic.

This warm chicken broth can be fed to the dog either as it is or mixed with his regular food to make it smell better and more appealing so that your dog can eat easily. The warmth and flavor of it might just do wonders to make your dog feel better and be very soothing. It is a simple, at-home remedy that brings relief. A little warm chicken broth added to their meal will help lubricate their throat and rehydrate the animal. It is a palatable and very nutritious addition that may help one recover from kennel cough and feel more comfortable.

12. Essential Oils in the Air

Eucalyptus or lavender placed in a diffuser and operated in your house should do fine with its calming influence on the respiratory system of the dog. Just place a few drops in the diffuser and let it build in the room where your dog sees most of the action. These oils can help open your dog's windpipe and relieve it from the cough.

Use essential oils in limited amounts, with the space being well-ventilated. A good number of dogs have sensitivities towards strong odors; hence, one has to observe the dog when such is introduced. If the dog acts uncomfortably, then back off from using it. First and foremost, use quality oil, meant for pets, to ensure safety. This will not only provide a feel of almost medicinal, soothing surroundings but will be helpful for the recuperation of your dog from kennel cough in a more natural manner, considering that the use of essential oils supports respiratory health and maintains or supports general well-being.

13. Probiotics for Immunity

Probiotics can also improve your dog's immune system, which is essential in fighting kennel cough. These good bacteria sometimes occur in supplements or even some foods, like yogurt. Adding probiotics to your dog's diet may benefit his gut health and hence improve the immune system.

Consult with your veterinarian for recommendations on the best probiotic supplements for your dog. Probiotics could help your dog in reconstituting good bacteria in his digestion, which may have been lost due to illness. Using probiotics regularly may maximize the chance of your dog recovering from infections like kennel cough. Probiotic additions to the daily routine for your dog can be vital in their immunity. You help boost their natural defenses, allowing your pet to regain very fast from the miseries of kennel cough and ultimately regain general good health.

14. Natural Herbal Remedies

Source : pexels

Herbal medicine is one such way, so consider soothing your dog's throat with the use of natural herbal remedies for reducing coughing—licorice root or slippery elm, for example. Herbs come in several types, from teas and tinctures to capsule supplement forms. Always consult with your vet before giving your dog any herbal remedies to make sure they are safe and appropriate in this particular case.

Herbal remedies reduce inflammation and irritation in the throat, offering relief from kennel cough. They can be a gentle way to support your dog's recovery from the harsh coughing. Follow the recommended dosage, and observe for any bad reactions in your dog. These herbal remedies are hence recommended additions used in conjunction with the recommended course of treatment. Herbal treatment offers a holistic approach toward the management of kennel cough symptoms and will help enhance your dog's comfort and health during recovery.

15. Vitamin C Boost

Vitamin C in your dog will help strengthen the immune system and can assist the body in fighting kennel cough infection. Vitamin C is a very strong antioxidant that can help in your dog's fight against infections which is why you need to provide them with foods high in vitamin C.

Consult with your vet for the right dose to give your dog, as too much will easily tip their digestion over. Vitamin C is going to help reduce the heaving and quicken the healing process. It's an easy addition to your dog's care routine with big dividends. Increasing the intake of vitamin C in your dog will help in immune health and recovery from kennel cough. This is an extremely simple and natural way to improve your overall well-being and strength.

16. Regular Vet Checkup

Follow-up visits to the vet are paramount to ensuring your dog is recovering well from kennel cough and there are no complications. The vet will be in a good position to offer professional advice, and treatment advice, and establish if other underlying health complications may interfere with your dog's recovery. Follow-up visits should be scheduled according to advice.

During these check-ups, your vet will be able to assess the progress and change the course of treatment if need be. Early detection of problems that may turn up allows you to avoid serious issues and makes sure that your dog gets optimum care. That is a big responsibility for pet owners.

It means your dog gets the necessary checks with the vet and thus shall be treated and supported in the recovery process from kennel cough. This ensures peace of mind and contributes to a dog's good health and well-being.

17. Limit Physical Activity

Source : pexels

The amount of physical activity should be limited to let the dog's body focus on healing from kennel cough. Exercise will only make their cough worse and be harder on their respiratory system. Provide gentle, low-energy activities that do not involve running or excessive excitement.

Short walks at slow speeds are okay, but vigorous exercise should be avoided. Allow your dog to spend its time lying and relaxing and doing absolutely nothing until fully recovered. Any lessening of physical activity will keep more symptoms from worsening and speed recovery. You are letting his or her body conserve energy and really focus on fighting off the infection. Here is the simplest yet most effective way to support the healing process of your dog's body for a quicker recovery from kennel cough.

18. Keep Up with Vaccinations

Vaccination is of paramount importance so that your dog does not catch any of the many diseases, including kennel cough, that are contagious in nature. Get the Bordetella vaccine against kennel cough administered to your dog. In this regard, regular vaccinations can manifoldly reduce the risk of catching this sickness in your dog.

Keeping up to date with your dog's vaccinations can help safeguard his or her health and minimize the risk of not only kennel cough but also many more diseases. It is part of preventative care that will keep them in good health and happy.

Recent posts