Can cats catch kennel cough from dogs? Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that affects dogs and cats. It’s caused by an infection of the upper respiratory tract. It can affect both young and old animals, but it can be especially dangerous for puppies and kittens. If your dog or cat gets this illness, they may experience coughing, sneezing, runny noses, fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, and even death.
The good news is that kennel cough isn’t too difficult to prevent. There are several steps you can take to help protect your pet from getting the disease in the first place:
Kennel Cough in Cats
Several different viruses and bacteria cause a condition called kennel cough.
Still, in cats, it tends to be caused by a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica, which is related to the bacteria that causes whooping cough in humans.
This bacteria is spread in saliva, nasal secretions, and droplets from infected animals.
These droplets can quickly spread through close contact; this explains why kennel cough outbreaks are most common when dogs or puppies are boarded together at dog day care centers or pet boarding facilities.
The disease has earned its name because it spreads through large gatherings of dogs, such as dog shows or obedience trials where they may share crates and cages for days on end without being adequately cleaned between uses.
Is Kennel Cough Contagious to Cats
While your cat may be more likely to catch a cold than kennel cough, the truth is that coughing is quite unusual in cats.
Sneezing and discharge from the eyes and nose are much more common symptoms of an infection.
Kennel cough (or canine infectious tracheobronchitis) is a respiratory disease caused by certain types of bacteria or viruses that can affect dogs, birds, and humans.
Parasitic infections also have similar signs like sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, and coughing.
Some other causes include:
- rhinotracheitis
- feline herpesvirus-1
- chlamydia
- calicivirus
- feline leukemia virus
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- FIP virus (feline infectious peritonitis)
- cancerous tumors in the nasal cavity or throat region (nasal squamous cell carcinoma )
- upper respiratory tract infections such as bacterial pneumonia or fungal infections.
Treatment for these conditions will vary.
Can Cats Get Kennel Cough?
Coughing is a common symptom of kennel cough, and your cat may also mouth breathe or make other unusual noises.
Parasites in the digestive tract can sometimes cause coughing as well, so you should have your vet examine your cat thoroughly to rule out any underlying causes for this behavior.
The most common culprits are feline herpes virus (FHV-1) and Chlamydophila felis (formerly known as FHV-2), which both infect the upper respiratory system but are spread differently from Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria.
Both viruses cause chronic infections that last throughout a cat’s life; they do not respond to antibiotics and will continue spreading in an affected household despite treatment with antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or valacyclovir.
The best way to manage these conditions is through vaccination, which helps protect cats against respiratory diseases by boosting their immune systems with harmless proteins from the infectious agents responsible for them.
Can a Dog Get Kennel Cough From a Cat?
Can a dog get kennel cough from a cat? The short answer is “no,” because cats do not carry the bacteria (Bordetella bronchiseptica) that causes this disease.
In addition, there is very little evidence to demonstrate the spread of kennel cough from dogs to cats, and although it is possible, it is unlikely.
But despite their lack of infection with B. bronchiseptica, there are several strains of this bacterium that can be found in cats who have been exposed to other infected animals, including dogs.
Therefore, if your cat has been around any sick or coughing animals recently, you should still keep them away from your dog for their safety as well as yours; they could potentially pass on an infection through direct contact or via airborne droplets.
How to Avoid Kennel Cough Spread to Cats
Kennel cough is a highly contagious infection, but it’s not one that cats get.
However, there are other respiratory infections in dogs that do affect cats. So if your dog has been diagnosed with kennel cough and is concerned about it spreading to your cat, one of the most important things to consider is hygiene – both yours and your pet’s.
The symptoms of canine infectious tracheobronchitis (or ‘kennel cough’) include coughing and sneezing and nasal discharge from the nose or eyes.
These signs may persist for up to two weeks before improving on their own or following treatment with antibiotics such as erythromycin or clindamycin (often combined under the name Cleocin).
Although the spread between animals is rarer than transmission within a household (between people), if you have more than one animal in your care, being cautious can help prevent an infection affecting another animal.
How to Tell if Your Cat Has Kennel Cough
If your cat has recently been boarded at a kennel or groomer, you may wonder if they have contracted “kennel cough.”
Kennel cough is the name used to describe a group of upper respiratory infections in dogs and cats spread through the air by coughing and sneezing.
The symptoms can be very similar to other upper respiratory infections like feline flu, caused by a different virus.
Suppose your pet exhibits signs such as discharge from their nose and/or eyes, sneezing, coughing, fever, lethargy or decreased appetite for 2–3 weeks after being away from home (such as boarding).
In that case, it could be possible that they have developed kennel cough .
It’s always best to check with your veterinarian about the possibility of contracting this disease because there are many treatments available for pets who do get sick due to kennel cough infection.
In some cases kennel cough will resolve on its own within several weeks
Kennel Cough in Cats Treatment
A common cause of pneumonia in cats and dogs is the Bordetella bronchiseptica, better known as kennel cough. This bacteria can be transmitted from dog to cat or vice versa when a cat comes into contact with another infected animal’s bodily discharges, such as nasal mucus or saliva.
Care should always be taken when introducing one pet to another; therefore, even if it seems like they’re getting along well after the first meeting, keep an eye on them for signs of illness (such as coughing).
Antibiotics are used to treat this type of bacterial infection; however, puss will still drain from your pet’s throat and nose during healing time – not only is that unpleasant for you and your family members to see, but it also interferes with proper breathing.
The most effective way to clear out any discharge while soothing inflammation at the same time is by steaming your cat with eucalyptus oil added into hot water.
Your vet may prescribe additional medication if necessary – but it’s always best to consult with your vet before administering any medications.
How to Treat Kennel Cough in Cats at Home
Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease that affects the upper respiratory tract of both dogs and cats. It causes inflammation, irritation and swelling in the throat area.
Symptoms are similar to those of human colds or influenza, including coughing, sneezing and runny eyes/nose.
Kennel cough can be easily transmitted from animal to animal by way of contaminated cages/kennels at pet boarding facilities as well as dog shows or veterinary hospitals; it also commonly spreads among animals living in shelters or other crowded environments (e.g., households with multiple pets).
Because kennel cough has been known to spread quickly through entire populations of shelter cats, many organizations will not adopt out unvaccinated animals until they have completed their treatment regimen for this condition—which may require several weeks’ worth of antibiotics!
How Long Does Kennel Cough Last in Cats?
Clinically, the disease is called “canine infectious tracheobronchitis” or kennel cough; it’s caused by viruses (parainfluenza and canine adenovirus) that infect your cat’s throat and lungs.
Parainfluenza virus causes inflammation in a dog’s respiratory tract, leading to coughing and sneezing.
The viral infection may vary slightly depending on the strain of parainfluenza virus that has infected your cat, but signs are usually similar in all cats: fever , runny nose, eye discharge , congestion in the airways , difficulty breathing due to mucus buildup, wheezing , gagging sounds when inhaling and coughing .
While some symptoms may only last 1-2 weeks without treatment as they resolve themselves naturally, others could persist for longer if left untreated, leading to secondary infections such as pneumonia that take longer to treat.
In addition, some cats will have another episode of illness later on, even though their initial phase of the disease has passed.
Final Thoughts, Can cats catch kennel cough from dogs?
There is no vaccine for kennel cough.
The best way to protect your cat from this infection is through good hygiene and avoiding exposure.
This virus spreads quickly from one animal to another, so be sure to wash hands thoroughly after handling or being in contact with any pet that might have been exposed to the disease.
If you suspect your pet has contracted kennel cough, set up a quiet environment without other pets while it recovers.
FAQs
What are the symptoms of kennel cough in cats?
There are a few symptoms of kennel cough in cats, including a dry, hacking cough, sneezing, and watery eyes. If your cat has any of these symptoms, it’s best to take them to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Can a dog make a cat sick?
There is no evidence that a dog can make a cat sick, but there is the potential for a dog to spread disease to a cat.
Can I catch kennel cough from my dog?
Yes, you can catch kennel cough from your dog. Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by various bacteria and viruses. It is most commonly spread from infected animals through contact with respiratory secretions, such as saliva or mucus.
Can cats get kennel cough from clothes?
Yes, cats can get kennel cough from clothes. The virus that causes kennel cough is airborne and can be transmitted to cats through contact with clothing or other objects that have been exposed to the virus. Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge in cats. Treatment for kennel cough typically includes antibiotics and supportive care.
What does kennel cough sound like in cats?
Kennel cough in cats is a dry, hacking cough that may be accompanied by sneezing. It is caused by various respiratory viruses and typically resolves without treatment within a few weeks.
