The Least Likely Place Your Dog Will Get Kennel Cough: A Kennel

Kennel cough is the lay term for an upper respiratory tract infection caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica. Because the bacteria are airborne and the illness highly contagious, kennels have gotten a reputation for spreading it among dogs.

But a kennel is probably the least likely place a dog would be exposed to kennel cough. A good kennel requires proof of vaccination against the illness before letting your pet come for a stay.

Note that the vaccination is not 100 percent effective. But in those cases where it does not keep the illness at bay, the inoculation will render the infection less severe and shorter-lasting.