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My dog has kennel cough. Should I see a vet or try home remedies?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 2 years old | 55.11 lbs

My dog has kennel cough. What should i do? Can i give some home remedies? If yes, then what can I give him to soothe?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on November 28th, 2020

There's really nothing that can be given at home to lessen the duration of the condition. Keep him warm and rested, away from other dogs and be patient. If he hasn't been seen by a vet, it's a good idea to since he may need antibiotics to help him recover faster. If he's coughing so much he cannot sleep or rest, that's another reason to get him seen so he can be prescribed cough suppressants. An occasional spoonful of honey can coat his throat and help suppress the cough temporarily.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jeffrey Milner
Veterinarian
Published on October 18th, 2017
If kennel cough is the cause of his symptoms, unless there is evidence of pneumonia usually there is no direct medical intervention needed in terms of infection. Typically the only thing that I will prescribe is something to help suppress the cough. This usually comes in the form of something like hycodan syrup (which is codeine based medication) and/or a Robitussin-like medication. The remedies you are using at home currently are not likely to cause any harm, but may not be helpful in terms of reducing inflammation in the throat. The only way inflammation will be reduce for any significant period of time will be by stopping the coughing. Hope this makes sense.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on October 19th, 2017
You can give him a teaspoon of plain robitussin (no decongestant) three times a day as needed. If he becomes lethargic or not eating or the cough is persistent or worsens you will want to take him in as he may need antibiotics. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By C. Rathjens, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 24th, 2017
Poor Thor. There aren't any over the counter cough medications that I recommend. I'm assuming the vet sent you home with antibiotics for Thor. If he has been on antibiotics for the past week and is still coughing this badly, he should go back to the vet for x-rays of his chest. If the vet did not sent you home with antibiotics, see if you can get an appointment tomorrow for reevaluation. Tonight, you can take Thor in to the bathroom and run a hot shower to steam up the room for 15-20 minutes - the moist air can be soothing. Running a humidifier will accomplish the same effect. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do at home for Thor, but hopefully you can get in to the clinic tomorrow. Good luck to you and little Thor!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 31st, 2017
There really isn't anything over the counter that I recommend giving him. He could have a respiratory infection and your vet can prescribe an antibiotic and cough suppressant to help control his coughing. If he seems congested than you could put a humidifier in the room and/or put him in the bathroom with you while you shower.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My puppy has kennel cough symptoms. Vet visit or home remedies?

I would take Kai into a vet first thing in the morning. Tonight, rest him. If he's congested, try bringing him into the bathroom when you take a shower to see if the steam helps. You can also put him in a room with a humidifier. In the morning, the vet can confirm he has kennel cough, and can give medication to help with his symptoms. Raw honey should not be fed to puppies, so I would not give him any. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Can I give my dog honey for kennel cough? How long until they recover?

You can give honey if you wish to try and soothe your dog's throat if he has kennel cough - it can sometimes help a little, and won't hurt anything. Normally, kennel cough causes relatively mild symptoms and resolves on its own within a week or two, but in rare cases it can progress to pneumonia or other serious problems. If your dog is not eating, acting lethargic, or coughing so much that he has trouble resting or sleeping, then I would recommend having him examined by a vet - he may need antibiotics and prescription cough suppressants to help resolve the infection more quickly and make him more comfortable.

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My dog sounds like he has kennel cough. What home remedies help?

Poor Teddy. You can try taking him into the bathroom with you when you take a shower or put him in a room with a humidifier. The steam from either may help with any congestion. Rest him. Take him out to potty on a harness to avoid pressure on his neck. Have him seen by a vet on Monday to get medication for his symptoms.

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My dog has kennel cough after surgery. How can I treat it at home?

Kennel cough is usually a self limiting disease. Unless Anubis has a very bad cough or discharge from his nose or a fever, there is usually no treatment necessary. If the cough is bad, you can give him some OTC cough medicine such as Robitussin provided your veterinarian finds it suitable for your dog. Give your veterinarian a call and get permission to use it. Your vet knows your dog's health history and therefore can best assess the need.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has kennel cough. What OTC meds or home remedies can help?

Unfortunately there is nothing very helpful over the counter that can be given for kennel cough. You can try to run a hot shower and let them inhale the steam for 10-15 minutes as sometimes this will help with airway congestion. The good news is that most dogs recover from kennel cough on there own fairly quickly. Make sure they keep eating and drinking normally because if they are stop this can be a sign of a more serious illness. If they aren't feeling better within a couple days or at any point their symptoms get worse you should have them examined by your veterinarian. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I hope Tango is feeling better soon!

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What helps a 5-month-old puppy with kennel cough feel better?

I'm sorry Krystal has kennel cough. Have her see a vet, who can prescribe her medications to help with her symptoms. Any dog with kennel cough should be isolated for at least two weeks, possibly longer depending on the severity of the infection. Keep her in a well-humidified area, and use a harness instead of a collar to minimize coughing. Rest her for at least seven days to minimize irritation of the airways caused by excessive coughing. You can bring her into the bathroom with you while you have a shower, as the steam may help with the respiratory irritation. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has kennel cough, still coughing after human cough syrup?

Oh no, poor Rosie! I would not give her any more Robitussin, as too much is not safe for dogs. Kennel cough is a self limiting disease that last three to four weeks, and while medications can help with the symptoms, they will not completely prevent the symptoms of it. I would have Rosie seen by a vet, who can prescribe medications are safe to give her. There are some things you can do for her at home. Any dog with kennel cough should be isolated for at least two weeks, possibly longer depending on the severity of the infection. Keep her in a well-humidified area, and use a harness instead of a collar to minimize coughing. Rest her for at least seven days to minimize irritation of the airways caused by excessive coughing. You can bring Rosie into the bathroom with you while you have a shower, as the steam may help with the respiratory irritation. I recommend having her seen by a vet tomorrow.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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