- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Kennel cough is a highly contagious illness that can become serious. However, you can often treat mild cases at home, with support from your vet.
Home remedies can help ease symptoms of kennel cough, according to Dr. George Khalil, veterinarian and founder of Your Neighbor Vet. He adds that some simple solutions, such as honey, steam therapy, and chicken soup, can do wonders for getting your pup back to their happy, tail-wagging self again!
Just keep in mind that kennel cough can develop into pneumonia. In some cases, treating kennel cough at home may not be enough. If your dog’s symptoms stick around or get worse, or you have any concerns about their condition, you’ll want to take them to the vet right away.
Read on to learn 10 different home remedies for kennel cough.
Honey
Honey has been used for thousands of years as a natural medicine. It has antimicrobial properties that work very well for treating a cough. Honey’s anti-inflammatory properties can also help soothe throats that are throats from frequent coughing.
“A teaspoon of honey can provide temporary relief from coughing,” Dr. Khalil explains. You can drizzle some on top of your dog’s food or allow them to lick it straight off a spoon. Alternatively, you can mix the honey with a little warm water and let your dog lap it up or gently squirt it into their throat with a syringe.
Just note that honey isn’t the best home remedy for diabetic or obese dogs, says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Rover’s Veterinary Medical Advisor. The high sugar content can make their health problems worse, so a non-food solution makes a better option.
Steam Therapy
Steam adds moisture to your dog’s airways to help reduce irritation in their respiratory tract.
To add moisture to the air in your home, you can try:
- Using a humidifier: Place a small humidifier close to your dog’s resting spot.
- Run a hot shower: “Bringing your dog into a bathroom filled with steam can help clear their nasal passages,” Dr. Kahlil says.
- Set up a bowl of hot water: If you don’t have a humidifier, you can place a bowl of hot water next to your dog so they can inhale the steam. Just stay close so your dog doesn’t accidentally knock the bowl over and burn themselves.
Dr. Greenstein says to avoid using steam therapy if you have a brachycephalic dog breed like a Pug or English Bulldog. Steam may make their cough worse.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy may have some benefit for dogs with kennel cough, but it’s essential to use this home remedy with extreme caution. Certain types and strengths of essential oils aren’t safe for dogs—including eucalyptus and peppermint oils.
Popular essential oils used to treat colds in dogs include lavender oil to help soothe and calm and chamomile oil to promote rest and relaxation. When shopping for essential oils, always choose oils formulated for dogs!
Important: Check with your vet before trying essential oils for your dog. They can confirm which oils you can safely use and which to avoid. They can also give you tips on the right dilution, non-toxic carrier oils, and ways to diffuse oils around your dog safely.
Fluids
Getting plenty of fluids when sick isn’t just recommended for people! Drinking enough water will help lubricate your dog’s throat and soothe the irritation. Liquids can also help your dog replace water they’ve lost as their system deals with the infection.
“Homemade chicken broth without spices can keep your dog hydrated and soothe their throat,” Dr. Khalil says.
If you don’t have the time to make it at home, you can also buy low-sodium chicken broth or broth made specifically for dogs.
Wet Dog Food
If your dog doesn’t feel like drinking, you can try adding some wet food into their diet to increase their water intake. Some foods you can try include:
It’s even more important for dogs to stay hydrated when they’re sick. If they don’t want to eat or drink, you’ll want to contact your vet right away.
Rest and Calm Activities
Good old-fashioned rest and relaxation are some of the best ways to help a dog naturally recover from their cough. Dogs’ bodies require lots of energy to recover from infections and other illnesses. So, your dog will need more rest than usual to replenish their energy.
To help your dog recover, minimize play time and keep them from overexerting themselves. You can encourage more dog naptime with:
- Calming dog beds
- Heated dog beds
- Extra-soft blankets on their bed
- A crate cover to keep their sleeping space dark and quiet
- A blanket or dog towel warmed in the dryer
Try a Harness
Trading out your dog’s collar for a harness can make a big difference when they have kennel cough. Using a quality harness can relieve some of the pressure on their trachea, Dr. Greenstein says. This swap can help prevent further irritation to their throat.
Just be sure to choose the right harness for your dog’s size and weight!
Avoid Smoke
Smoke inhalation isn’t good for anyone—people or pets! But smoke can be especially harmful for dogs with respiratory illnesses like kennel cough.
Inhaling smoke can cause:
- Throat injuries
- Loss of oxygen
- Poisoning from inhaled materials
Smoke from wildfires, cigarettes, or outdoor fire pits can irritate your dog’s throat and put additional strain on their immune system.
Dogs with coughs should avoid any kind of smoke inhalation. To protect your dog:
- Move them to an area away from smoke indoors.
- Keep your windows closed when there’s smoke in the air outside.
- Ask people who smoke to do so outside, away from pets and people.
Ventilation and Air Purification
Keeping the air in your home ventilated is another helpful home remedy for kennel cough symptoms.
Opening a window to increase airflow helps remove old, stagnant air that can make your dog’s cough worse.
You can also try a pet air purifier to help clean the air in your home more effectively. These devices are designed to pull in stale air contaminated with germs or irritants and push out clean, purified air.
Over-the-Counter Medication and Supplements
Dr. Khalil says you can also try various supplements and OTC medications to support dogs with kennel cough. The best supplements to use when trying to treat your dog’s kennel cough are those that boost their immune system. These include:
- Probiotics
- Colostrum
- Antioxidants
Just make sure you get the OK from your vet before trying any new product!
“Always consult your vet before starting any new supplement or OTC medication to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your dog’s specific condition,” Dr. Khalil emphasizes.
When to Ask A Vet
If you think your dog has kennel cough, you’ll want to let your vet know. For mild cases, they’ll most likely recommend trying some of the kennel cough treatments listed above.
Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with other health problems or symptoms will probably need to visit the vet as soon as possible.
Dr. Khalil adds that kennel cough home treatments may not always ease your dog’s symptoms. He advises making an appointment with your vet if your dog:
- Develops a fever
- Loses their appetite
- Becomes lethargic
- Has difficulty breathing
- Shows no improvement after a week
These signs can point to a severe case of kennel cough. Your vet may need to prescribe medications to treat these symptoms. Examples of these medications include:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics for dogs can help treat secondary bacterial infections.
- Cough suppressants: Prescription cough medication can help manage severe coughing. These medications include codeine, hydrocodone, and butorphanol.
- Anti-inflammatory medication: Your vet may prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug to help ease the inflammation from constant coughing and reduce fever.
Kennel cough can lead to pneumonia and in the most severe cases, death. If you have any concerns about your dog’s cough, it’s always best to take a trip to the vet.
When Will Your Dog Recover?
Kennel cough is never fun to have around, but plenty of vet-recommended home remedies can help get your dog back to their happy, healthy self again.
“Kennel cough typically lasts between one to three weeks. Most healthy dogs recover within this time frame,” explains Dr. Khalil. “However, for some dogs, especially senior ones or those with underlying health conditions, symptoms can persist for up to six weeks.”
Since kennel cough is highly contagious, Dr. Khalil advises keeping your dog away from other dogs for at least two weeks. This helps prevent the spread of the infection and keeps other dogs from getting sick.
