Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) is a common but largely preventable respiratory disease affecting dogs in group settings, with welfare implications ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening pneumonia.
While most kennel cough cases are self-limiting, the persistent harsh cough causes days to weeks of discomfort that disrupts sleep and normal activity. Dogs with kennel cough are often separated from canine companions in daycare or kennel settings, adding social isolation to the physical discomfort. Severe cases with pneumonia cause significant welfare impairment. The widespread availability of effective vaccination makes kennel cough largely preventable welfare harm. Requiring vaccination for all dogs entering group settings protects the welfare of all individuals in those settings.