Your dog picks up a hacking cough after a weekend at boarding, and a few days later your cat starts sneezing too. Now you’re wondering: wait, can cats get kennel cough from the dog? It feels like too much of a coincidence.
Here’s the reassuring part. Yes, cats can get kennel cough, but it looks and behaves a little differently than it does in dogs. The bacterium behind it, Bordetella bronchiseptica, can infect both species, and it can pass between them in the same home. For most healthy adult cats it’s a mild bug that clears up on its own. For kittens and seniors, it deserves a closer eye.
- Cats can catch kennel cough from Bordetella bronchiseptica, the same bacterium that causes it in dogs, and it can pass between dogs and cats in one household.
- Kennel cough is less common in cats than dogs and usually causes mild signs: sneezing, nasal and eye discharge, low-grade fever, and sometimes a mild cough.
- Most healthy adult cats recover in about 7 to 10 days, but the infection can progress to pneumonia in kittens, senior cats, or cats with weak immune systems.
- The bacterium spreads through coughing, sneezing, direct contact, and shared bowls or bedding, so crowded, stressful places like shelters and catteries raise the risk.
- Treatment is guided by a vet and may include antibiotics plus supportive care; never give your cat human medicine or leftover pet antibiotics on your own.
Can cats really get kennel cough?
Yes, cats can get kennel cough. Kennel cough in cats is an upper respiratory infection caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterium best known for causing the classic honking cough in dogs. The same germ infects cats, rabbits, and, in rare cases, people. So the name is a bit misleading. It isn’t a “dog-only” disease.
The difference is how often and how hard it hits. Kennel cough is much more common in dogs than in cats. In cats, it tends to show up as a general upper-respiratory illness rather than the dramatic cough dogs get. Plenty of cat parents never even realize their cat had it, because the signs can look a lot like an ordinary cold. If your cat is dealing with a stubborn runny nose and won’t stop sneezing, Bordetella is one possible cause among several.
How do cats catch kennel cough?
Cats catch kennel cough through close contact with an infected animal or a contaminated environment. An infected cat or dog sheds Bordetella bronchiseptica in nasal secretions and saliva, then spreads it through the air when it coughs or sneezes. Your cat can also pick it up from shared water bowls, litter areas, toys, and bedding.
The bacterium is tough. It can linger in the environment for roughly one to two weeks, though it’s vulnerable to common disinfectants. That’s why outbreaks cluster in places where lots of animals share space and stress runs high:
- Animal shelters and rescues
- Boarding facilities and catteries
- Grooming salons and vet waiting rooms
- Multi-cat homes and foster households
- Homes with both cats and dogs
And yes, it can move between species. A dog carrying Bordetella can pass it to the cat, and the reverse can happen too. If one pet in your home is coughing, keep bowls and bedding separate and give everyone a bit of breathing room while they recover.
What are the symptoms of kennel cough in cats?
The symptoms of kennel cough in cats are usually mild and centered on the nose, eyes, and throat. Most infected cats show sneezing, a runny nose, watery or goopy eyes, and a low-grade fever. Some develop a mild cough, though coughing is far less common in cats than in dogs. Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw can show up too.
Common signs in cats include:
- Sneezing, sometimes in bursts
- Nasal discharge, clear at first and thicker later
- Watery or discharging eyes
- Mild fever and a bit of low energy
- Reduced appetite (a stuffy nose dulls a cat’s sense of smell)
- Occasional coughing or gagging
In healthy adult cats, these signs usually last about 7 to 10 days and fade on their own. The picture changes in vulnerable cats. Kittens, seniors, and cats with weakened immune systems can slide into severe illness, including bronchopneumonia, which brings labored breathing and can become life-threatening. If your cat is doing more than sneezing and you notice a change in its breathing, learn to tell the difference between wheezing and genuine breathing trouble, because that distinction matters a lot here.
How is kennel cough different from ordinary cat flu?
Kennel cough and cat flu overlap a lot, but they’re caused by different germs. “Cat flu” usually refers to feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus, two viruses that cause most upper-respiratory infections in cats. Kennel cough is caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterium. Because the signs look so similar, a vet often can’t tell them apart on symptoms alone and may run a swab or lab test to confirm.
| Feature | Kennel cough (Bordetella) | Typical cat flu |
|---|---|---|
| Main cause | Bordetella bronchiseptica (bacterium) | Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus (viruses) |
| How common in cats | Less common | Very common |
| Coughing | Possible but mild | Uncommon |
| Sneezing and discharge | Yes | Yes, often prominent |
| Mouth ulcers | No | Common with calicivirus |
| Responds to antibiotics | Yes, bacterial | No, viral (antibiotics only for secondary infection) |
| Spreads to and from dogs | Yes | No |
The practical takeaway: if your cat and your dog are both sick at the same time, Bordetella jumps up the list of suspects, since the classic cat flu viruses don’t infect dogs.
How is kennel cough in cats treated?
Kennel cough in cats is treated by a veterinarian, and mild cases often just need supportive care while the cat’s immune system does the work. Because the illness is bacterial, your vet may prescribe antibiotics, which usually clear the infection well. The right drug and dose depend on your cat, so this is a vet’s call, not a guessing game at home.
Supportive care at home usually looks like this:
- Keep your cat warm, calm, and well rested.
- Wipe away eye and nose discharge with a soft, damp cloth.
- Run a humidifier or let your cat sit in a steamy bathroom to loosen congestion.
- Offer warmed, strong-smelling food to tempt a stuffy-nosed cat to eat.
- Always keep fresh water within easy reach.
One firm rule: never give your cat human cough or cold medicine, and never reuse leftover antibiotics. Many human medicines are toxic to cats, and the wrong antibiotic can do more harm than good. Cleaner indoor air can also help a recovering respiratory cat breathe easier, and some cat parents find a good air purifier for cat dander takes some of the load off congested airways during recovery.
Can you prevent kennel cough in cats?
You can lower your cat’s risk of kennel cough by reducing crowding, stress, and contact with sick animals. Because Bordetella bronchiseptica thrives where animals are packed together and stressed, the best everyday prevention is good hygiene and calm, uncrowded living space. For most indoor-only cats in a low-density home, the risk is already low.
Sensible prevention steps:
- Keep sick pets separated, with their own bowls, bedding, and litter.
- Wash your hands and clean shared surfaces with a suitable disinfectant.
- Choose boarding and grooming facilities that ask about vaccination and health.
- Reduce stress during travel and introductions, since stress weakens defenses.
There is a vaccine. An intranasal Bordetella vaccine (given as nose drops) exists for cats and is considered a non-core, situational vaccine. Vets usually reserve it for higher-risk cats, such as those in shelters, catteries, or busy multi-cat environments. Talk to your vet about whether your cat’s lifestyle warrants it, because most pet cats don’t need it.
When should you see a vet?
You should see a vet any time your cat has more than mild, brief sniffles, and urgently if breathing looks off. Kennel cough is usually mild in healthy adult cats, but it can progress, especially in the most vulnerable cats. This article is educational and isn’t a substitute for hands-on care from a licensed veterinarian.
Call your vet promptly, or seek emergency care, if you notice:
- Labored, fast, or open-mouth breathing, or a bluish tint to the gums
- Wheezing, gasping, or clear struggle to breathe
- A cough that keeps getting worse or lasts more than a week or two
- Refusing food for more than a day, or clear weakness and lethargy
- High fever, or thick colored discharge from the nose or eyes
- Any respiratory illness in a kitten, senior cat, pregnant cat, or immunocompromised cat
Kittens, seniors, and cats with breathing trouble need prompt care rather than a wait-and-see approach. Their infections can turn into pneumonia quickly, so don’t sit on it. When in doubt, a quick call to your vet beats guessing.
Frequently asked questions about kennel cough in cats
Q: Can cats catch kennel cough from dogs?
Yes. Bordetella bronchiseptica can pass between dogs and cats living in the same home. If your dog has kennel cough, keep bowls and bedding separate and watch your cat for sneezing or nasal discharge. The reverse can happen too, so an infected cat can pass it to a dog.
Q: Is kennel cough in cats contagious to humans?
It’s rare, but Bordetella bronchiseptica is classified as a rare zoonotic infection, meaning it can occasionally pass to people. Healthy adults are at very low risk. People with weakened immune systems should take extra care and wash hands well after handling a sick pet. Ask your doctor if you have concerns.
Q: How long does kennel cough last in cats?
In healthy adult cats, kennel cough symptoms usually last about 7 to 10 days and often resolve with supportive care. Vulnerable cats, like kittens and seniors, can take longer and may develop complications such as pneumonia. See your vet if signs drag on past two weeks or worsen.
Q: Do indoor cats need a Bordetella vaccine?
Most indoor-only cats in a low-density home don’t need the Bordetella vaccine. The intranasal cat vaccine is a non-core, situational vaccine usually reserved for higher-risk cats in shelters, catteries, or crowded multi-cat settings. Your vet can advise based on your cat’s specific lifestyle and exposure.
Q: Can kennel cough kill a cat?
Kennel cough is rarely fatal in healthy adult cats, but it can become life-threatening in kittens, senior cats, and cats with weak immune systems. In these cats the infection can progress to bronchopneumonia. That’s why any respiratory illness in a vulnerable cat needs prompt veterinary attention.
Q: How do vets diagnose kennel cough in cats?
Vets diagnose kennel cough based on symptoms, history, and lab testing, since it looks a lot like cat flu. A vet may take a swab from the nose or throat to identify Bordetella bronchiseptica, and in more serious cases may run bloodwork or chest X-rays to check for pneumonia. Mention any sick dogs at home.
Q: Can I treat my cat’s kennel cough at home?
Mild cases benefit from home supportive care like rest, humidity, gentle discharge cleaning, and tempting food, but a vet should still guide treatment. Never give human cold medicine or leftover antibiotics, as many are toxic or wrong for cats. See a vet if your cat stops eating or shows any breathing trouble.
Q: Does the Bordetella vaccine for dogs protect cats?
No. Dogs and cats need their own species-specific vaccines, and a dog’s Bordetella vaccine does not protect your cat. There is a separate intranasal Bordetella vaccine made for cats. Vaccinating an at-risk dog can still help by lowering the amount of bacteria a cat might be exposed to at home.
Kennel cough in cats sounds scarier than it usually is. For most healthy adult cats it’s a mild, passing bug. Keep an eye on kittens and seniors, watch for breathing trouble, and lean on your vet whenever the signs go beyond simple sniffles. Learn more from the Cornell Feline Health Center, VCA Animal Hospitals, and the Merck Veterinary Manual.
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