For many pet parents, leaving their dog at a boarding facility can feel like an emotional leap of faith. One of the most common concerns? The fear that their pup might come home with kennel cough.
This highly contagious respiratory illness is known to spread in communal pet-care settings, and even the mention of an outbreak can lead cautious pet parents to cancel reservations or seek alternative arrangements. That’s why prevention isn’t just a medical best practice—it’s a cornerstone of customer trust.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), kennel cough can be caused by multiple bacteria and viruses and spreads quickly through the air or by direct contact. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) identifies it as part of the broader Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), which can include conditions ranging from mild coughing to more serious complications.
The good news is that dog boarding businesses can significantly reduce the risk of kennel cough with smart systems, health protocols, and clear communication. If you operate a dog boarding business, you already know that happy, healthy pets are the heart of your success. Let's walk through how to proactively prevent outbreaks while strengthening pet parent confidence in your care.
Kennel cough, officially called canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is a broad term for upper respiratory illness in dogs, often caused by one or more of the following:
As noted by the AVMA, CIRDC is often triggered by multiple organisms acting together, making diagnosis and treatment variable.
While kennel cough is typically mild and self-limiting, it can become serious in puppies, seniors, or immunocompromised dogs—so early prevention is key. Because it spreads through airborne droplets, shared surfaces, and direct contact, kennel cough is especially prevalent in communal pet care environments—making prevention essential for dog boarding businesses.
Pet parents are more informed (and cautious) than ever before. The idea of leaving their dog in a facility where illness might spread can be enough to sway their decision. According to the AKC, even vaccinated dogs can contract kennel cough under certain conditions—especially when exposed to stress, poor ventilation, or high dog density.
In high-volume settings where multiple dogs share the same space, food bowls, and fresh air, one sick pup can trigger a facility-wide outbreak. That can mean:
Preventing kennel cough isn’t just good pet care—it’s smart business. That’s why a robust illness prevention plan can not only help keep dogs healthy but also serve as a compelling selling point, showing pet parents that you take a proactive approach to keeping their precious pups safe.
Vaccination is the most effective first step to reduce risk. While it may not offer 100% protection, it significantly lowers the chance and severity of infection.
Key Vaccines to Require:
As the AKC notes, vaccines don’t cover all causes of kennel cough but are still highly recommended for dogs in social settings. Use Gingr's vaccine tracking system to automatically record vaccination dates, notify clients of upcoming expirations, and block bookings for unvaccinated dogs. This helps keep everyone compliant without extra admin work.
Not all dogs with kennel cough show symptoms right away. That’s why screening is crucial. Your staff does not need to be trained in veterinary science to examine pets entering your facility for basic symptoms.
What to check during check-in:
Ask pet parents if their dog has shown any recent symptoms or attended dog parks, grooming salons, or daycare where illness may have been present. You can customize pet intake and check-in forms to include recent health questions. Save responses directly to the pet’s profile for easy reference.
If a dog begins showing signs of illness while in your boarding facility, quick action can prevent an outbreak. Here's what you can do:
Set Up a Designated Isolation Area:
Inform the pet parent using Gingr's built-in messaging tools and recommend a veterinary visit if symptoms persist. According to the AVMA, many cases resolve on their own, but treatment may include antibiotics, cough suppressants, or rest at home.
You may have an aesthetically pleasing, clean, and well-stocked facility, but one of the major contributors to CIRDC, per the AVMA, is poor air circulation, so ensure you're following these best practices:
Clean air reduces the number of airborne pathogens and supports healthier respiratory function—especially important during cold weather when doors and windows are closed.
According to the AKC, improper sanitation contributes to the spread of respiratory illness. A strict cleaning regimen is one of your best defenses.
Daily Must-Dos:
Choose veterinary-grade, pet-safe disinfectants that are effective against bacteria and viruses associated with kennel cough. You can use your pet-care business software to optimize your daily staff checklists and ensure no cleaning nor sanitation task is missed.
While socialization is a big perk for pet parents, offering exercise and enrichment for dogs while they're away, it can increase the risk of spread illness if not well managed.
Tips for Safe Playgroups:
If a dog exhibits symptoms mid-play, remove them immediately and initiate your isolation protocol above.
Your team is your first line of defense. Make sure they understand the symptoms of kennel cough and know how to act if a dog in your care is suspected to be ill.
Topics to cover:
Create a written illness policy and include it in employee onboarding materials. Role-playing scenarios during training sessions can also boost preparedness. You can also add custom staff training videos and courses to your pet business management system via GingrU for easy reference, access, and progress tracking.
Transparency builds trust. Let clients know that your team proactively works to prevent illness and has protocols in place to keep their dogs safe. It's OK to over communicate your health and safety practices!Inform pet parents and potential clients via:
Partnering with a local veterinary clinic to offer occasional pop-up vaccination events can boost compliance and provide added convenience for clients. It’s also a great way to show your commitment to health and safety. Market this service through email, social media, and on your booking site.
If an illness does occur, having a plan in place helps you stay calm, efficient, and professional.
Your response plan should include:
Share the general outline of your response plan with clients to reassure them you’re prepared and proactive.
Kennel cough may be common, but it’s not inevitable. With a comprehensive prevention strategy—grounded in science and supported by tools like Gingr—you can keep your facility safe, your staff confident, and your clients loyal. As the AVMA and AKC both emphasize, maintaining good hygiene, enforcing vaccination, and ensuring clean air circulation are the best defenses against outbreaks. Combine those with digital tools for communication, compliance, and customer service, and you’ve got a winning formula for success.
Request a custom Gingr demo and discover how our pet business software can help streamline vaccine tracking, daily sanitation checklists, communications, and more—all in one powerful platform.