Dog Sick After Boarding? What to Know

You picked your dog up from boarding and something's off. They're coughing, not eating, or acting lethargic. Before you panic, let's walk through what's normal, what's kennel cough, and when you should actually call the vet.

Normal post-boarding behavior

It's completely normal for dogs to come home from boarding and:

• Sleep heavily for 12–24 hours — they were busy, stimulated, and out of their routine
• Skip one meal — the excitement of coming home and the shift back to familiar routine can temporarily suppress appetite
• Drink a lot of water — especially after active play in Florida's heat
• Act clingy or extra affectionate — they missed you
• Have softer stool for a day — stress and dietary transitions can cause this even if you brought their regular food

What kennel cough looks like

Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection spread through airborne particles — similar to a common cold in humans. Symptoms typically appear 3–10 days after exposure:

• A distinctive dry, honking cough — sounds like a goose
• Retching or gagging after coughing (sometimes producing white foam)
• Runny nose
• Mild lethargy but still eating and drinking
• The cough often gets worse with excitement or pulling on the leash

Can kennel cough happen even with vaccines?

Yes. The Bordetella vaccine significantly reduces the risk and severity of kennel cough, but it doesn't guarantee complete immunity. Think of it like the flu shot — vaccinated dogs can still catch it, but symptoms are usually milder and resolve faster. This is why reputable boarding facilities require the vaccine AND why occasional cases still happen despite everyone being vaccinated.

When kennel cough needs a vet visit

Most kennel cough cases resolve on their own in 1–2 weeks. See your vet if:

• The cough lasts more than 2 weeks
• Your dog stops eating for more than 24 hours
• They have a fever (normal dog temperature is 101–102.5 degrees F)
• You see green or yellow nasal discharge (indicating possible secondary infection)
• They seem genuinely ill — not just coughing but lethargic, weak, or struggling to breathe
• Your dog is very young, very old, or immunocompromised

Treatment for kennel cough

Mild cases: rest, honey (soothes the throat), humidifier near their resting area, and keeping them away from other dogs until the cough resolves (usually 2 weeks). Moderate to severe cases: your vet may prescribe cough suppressants, anti-inflammatories, or antibiotics if there's a secondary bacterial infection. Most dogs recover fully without complications.

Other reasons your dog might seem sick after boarding

Not everything is kennel cough. Other possibilities:

• Stress colitis — diarrhea caused by the stress of a new environment, usually resolves in 1–2 days
• Dietary upset — if they ate different food or treats during the stay
• Pure exhaustion — active play for several days is genuinely tiring
• Minor injuries from play — scrapes, sore muscles from rough play (check for any wounds)

What we do to minimize risk

At Animal Friends, every boarding and daycare guest must have current Bordetella, DHPP, and Rabies vaccines. We sanitize suites between guests, maintain climate-controlled ventilation, and monitor dogs for symptoms daily. If a dog shows signs of illness during their stay, we isolate them immediately and contact the owner. Zero-risk isn't possible when dogs share air space, but we take every reasonable precaution.