Can cats really catch kennel cough, and what is actually happening in their airways?

Yes, cats can contract kennel cough, though it is diagnosed far less often in cats than in dogs. The culprit is Bordetella bronchiseptica, a gram-negative bacterium that attaches to the cilia lining the trachea and bronchi, triggering local inflammation and excess mucus production that the cat tries to clear by coughing (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2023). The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that while dogs are considered the primary reservoir for this organism, cats housed near dogs or in crowded shelter and cattery environments can become infected and show similar respiratory signs (Cornell Feline Health Center, 2021).

In healthy adult cats, the bacteria typically stay confined to the upper airway, causing irritation rather than deep lung disease. But because Bordetella damages the protective ciliary lining of the respiratory tract, it can open the door to secondary bacterial or viral infections, which is how a seemingly mild cough sometimes turns into bronchopneumonia within a week or two if untreated (American Association of Feline Practitioners, 2022).

What does the cough actually sound like, and what other early symptoms do owners usually notice first?

Owners typically describe the cough as dry, harsh, and hacking, sometimes ending in a gag or retch that looks like the cat is trying to bring up a hairball. Alongside the cough, the AAFP lists sneezing, mild fever, nasal or ocular discharge, and a noticeable drop in appetite and energy as common early signs of feline Bordetella infection (American Association of Feline Practitioners, 2022). Some cats develop a soft, moist rattle in their breathing that owners can hear without a stethoscope, particularly after exertion or excitement.

Kittens under 6 months old tend to show more dramatic signs, including a higher fever (often above 103.5°F) and more persistent nasal discharge, because their immune systems haven't yet built resistance to respiratory pathogens (Cornell Feline Health Center, 2021). In an otherwise healthy adult cat, symptoms often resolve within 1 to 2 weeks even without antibiotics, but the cat remains a source of contagion during that window.

Why do some cats get this infection while others in the same house stay healthy?

Bordetella spreads through direct nose-to-nose contact, airborne respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, and contact with contaminated bedding, food bowls, and litter boxes. The bacterium can survive on surfaces for several days, which is why shelters and boarding facilities see periodic outbreaks despite regular cleaning (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2023). Cats living in group housing, those recently adopted from a shelter, and cats that have been boarded or transported long distances face substantially higher exposure risk than single-cat indoor households.

Underlying stress and concurrent infections are major risk multipliers. The Cornell Feline Health Center points out that cats co-infected with feline herpesvirus or feline calicivirus are more likely to develop clinically significant Bordetella disease, since those viruses already damage the respiratory lining and lower local immune defenses (Cornell Feline Health Center, 2021). Kittens, senior cats, and cats with FIV or FeLV are also considered higher risk for complications rather than just a mild cough.

How does a veterinarian actually confirm it's Bordetella and not something else?

Because coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge overlap with several other feline respiratory diseases, a veterinarian usually starts with a physical exam, a detailed history about exposure to other cats, and a check of respiratory rate and lung sounds. Definitive diagnosis of Bordetella bronchiseptica requires a bacterial culture or PCR test from a nasal, oropharyngeal, or tracheal swab, since clinical signs alone can't reliably distinguish it from calicivirus, herpesvirus, or Chlamydia felis infection (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2023).

In cats with more severe respiratory signs, such as rapid breathing or lethargy, the vet may recommend chest X-rays to rule out pneumonia before deciding on a treatment plan. The AAFP notes that mild, uncomplicated cases in otherwise healthy adult cats are often diagnosed presumptively based on history and symptoms, with lab testing reserved for kittens, cats in group housing outbreaks, or cases that aren't improving as expected (American Association of Feline Practitioners, 2022).

What treatment does a cat with kennel cough actually need?

Mild cases in healthy adult cats often resolve on their own within 1 to 2 weeks with rest and supportive care, and antibiotics aren't automatically prescribed for every cat. When treatment is warranted, doxycycline is the antibiotic most commonly used against Bordetella bronchiseptica in cats, typically given for 10 to 14 days, because the bacterium is frequently resistant to amoxicillin and some other first-line drugs (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2023).

For kittens, immunocompromised cats, or cats showing signs of pneumonia, veterinarians may add nebulization therapy, fluid support for dehydrated or anorexic patients, and closer monitoring with recheck exams. A Bordetella vaccine exists and is sometimes recommended for cats entering high-risk environments like shelters or boarding facilities, though the AAFP notes it is not part of core vaccination protocols for typical indoor pet cats (American Association of Feline Practitioners, 2022).

What can I do at home to help my cat recover and keep it from spreading to other pets?

Isolating a coughing cat from other cats and dogs in the household for at least 2 weeks is the single most effective step an owner can take, since Bordetella spreads so readily through shared air space and surfaces. Using separate food bowls, litter boxes, and bedding for the sick cat, and disinfecting shared surfaces with a pet-safe cleaner, reduces the chance of reinfecting a recovered cat or infecting a housemate (Cornell Feline Health Center, 2021).

At home, keeping the cat warm, encouraging fluid intake, and offering warmed, aromatic food can help maintain appetite when nasal congestion dulls the sense of smell. A cool-mist humidifier or a few minutes in a steamy bathroom can loosen nasal secretions and ease breathing, a technique also recommended by the Merck Veterinary Manual for cats recovering from upper respiratory infections generally (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2023). Owners should never give human cough suppressants or over-the-counter cold medications without explicit veterinary direction, since many contain ingredients toxic to cats.

Will my cat fully recover, and can it get kennel cough again later?

Most healthy adult cats recover fully from Bordetella infection within 2 weeks, with no lasting damage to the respiratory tract once the cough resolves. However, cats can shed the bacteria for weeks after symptoms disappear, and reinfection is possible since immunity from a single infection is not considered fully protective long-term (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2023).

Kittens or cats who developed secondary pneumonia generally need a longer recovery period, sometimes 3 to 4 weeks, along with follow-up X-rays to confirm the lungs have cleared before they're considered fully recovered. Cats with chronic underlying conditions like FIV, FeLV, or chronic upper respiratory infections may have a harder time clearing the bacteria completely and can become intermittent carriers, which is why the Cornell Feline Health Center recommends minimizing stress and crowding for cats with a history of recurrent respiratory illness (Cornell Feline Health Center, 2021).