Kennel cough is a respiratory infection that affects dogs. It̵7;s very contagious. It̵7;s common for dogs in a kennel setting to come down with kennel cough. The typical symptoms are a dry cough with the tendency to cough up a white, foamy liquid. Dogs may also develop watery eyes and nose. In most cases kennel cough is mild and your dog will recover within two weeks. Vets usually prescribe antibiotics. For mild cases, there are a number of natural kennel cough remedies that can work as well.
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A Healing Environment
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Kennel cough in dogs is much like the common cold in humans, and many of the same treatments apply. The dry cough can be very uncomfortable for your pet. You can help make your pet more comfortable by reducing his daily exercise. Allow your pet to rest. You can also help by increasing the humidity in the air. A home humidifier works best for this. Higher ambient humidity can make the cough less uncomfortable and more productive. During a cold, most people find warm liquids to be very soothing. The same can be true for your dog. While your dog is sick, add a half of a cup of hot water to his food to warm and soften it.
The Power of Honey
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Raw honey is a rich source of nutrients. It̵7;s also antimicrobial and antiviral, so it helps to kill of the viruses or bacteria that are making your dog sick. Honey is soothing, as well, and can provide some immediate relief to the discomfort that comes with kennel cough. Add a tablespoon of honey to a cup of warm water and offer it to your pet. Most dogs will slurp it right up, but if your dog doesn̵7;t like the taste, you may have to give it to her through a medicine dropper.
Herbal Treatments
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Some herbs are very effective at providing relief for kennel cough symptoms. Two of the best are peppermint and wild cherry bark. You can find cough expectorants made with wild cherry bark in most health food stores. Follow the dosage instructions for a child and give the remedy to your dog through a medicine dropper. Peppermint is a cooling, soothing herb. Brew a strong cup of peppermint tea and add a bit of honey to it. Every hour or so, give your dog a medicine dropper full.
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