--- title: Boarding and Kennel Cough Risk: Honest Facts | Happy Paws url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-and-kennel-cough-risk/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Boarding and kennel cough risk # Boarding and kennel cough risk: honest facts Kennel cough can spread wherever dogs gather, including boarding kennels, day care and dog parks, and vaccines reduce but do not remove the risk. Happy Paws requires the Bordetella vaccine for dogs and recommends canine influenza, and the illness normally clears in a few days to a few weeks. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) No kennel can promise a dog will never catch a cough, and a good one says so. Here is how it works and what lowers the odds. ## What kennel cough is The AKC explains that kennel cough is usually caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria, often together with viruses such as canine parainfluenza and adenovirus type 2. Signs are a persistent honking cough, gagging, sneezing and sometimes a runny nose, low fever and reduced appetite. It appears 2 to 14 days after exposure. ## How it spreads Through coughs and sneezes, direct contact, and shared bowls, toys or bedding. Crowded settings, cold air, poor ventilation and stress make it easier to catch. The AKC lists kennels, day care and dog parks as common places for it to pass between dogs. ## What vaccines do and do not do Bordetella vaccines reduce the risk and severity of illness, but they do not cover every cause. The AKC says vaccinated dogs can still get it, usually with milder signs and faster recovery, and that boosters are typically given every 6 to 12 months depending on lifestyle. The boarding agreement at Happy Paws says the same in plain words: a fully vaccinated pet can still catch a contagious illness. ## What Happy Paws requires and provides - Dogs need rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella, with records good through the last day of the stay. Canine influenza is recommended but not required. - Each dog has its own indoor/outdoor run, with a heated or air-conditioned inside space. - The kennel building has HVAC, and the runs are kept clean. - A pet may not be accepted if it is not in good health, so call if your dog is coughing before a stay. ## What to do after a stay Watch for a cough for the next two weeks. The AKC says most dogs recover within one to three weeks, mild cases often clear on their own, and a dog that is coughing should be isolated while symptomatic and for at least two weeks after the cough stops. Call your vet before arriving so the clinic can plan, and tell the kennel. See [kennel cough](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kennel-cough/), [symptoms](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kennel-cough-symptoms/) and [how long it is contagious](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/how-long-is-kennel-cough-contagious/). ## How to lower your own dog's risk Keep vaccines current and give boosters on your vet's schedule. Do not board a dog that is coughing, sneezing or has a runny nose, and let the kennel know if your dog was exposed. Ask your veterinarian whether the canine influenza vaccine suits your dog; Happy Paws recommends it for dogs. Keep your dog fit, well fed and rested before the trip, because stress makes illness more likely. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [American Kennel Club, kennel cough in dogs](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/kennel-cough-in-dogs/) - [Happy Paws Kennels vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [Happy Paws Kennels, boarding agreement](https://happypawskennels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Happy-Paws-Boarding-Agreement.pdf) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Kennel cough](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kennel-cough/) - [Bordetella vaccine](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/bordetella/) - [Canine influenza](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/canine-influenza/) - [Canine respiratory illness outbreaks](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/dog-respiratory-illness/) - [Vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [Bringing your dog home after boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-coming-home-after-boarding/) ## Read next - [Bringing your dog home after boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-coming-home-after-boarding/) - [What to expect from a month-long stay](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/long-term-boarding-what-to-expect/) - [Microchips & ID tags before you travel](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/microchips-and-id-tags/) - [A pet evacuation plan for Solano & Yolo families](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/pet-emergency-plan/) - [Which kennel class does my dog need?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/choosing-a-kennel-class/) - [Should two dogs share a kennel?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/two-dogs-one-kennel/) - [Pet insurance and boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/pet-insurance-and-boarding/) - [How much does cat boarding cost?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/cats/how-much-does-cat-boarding-cost/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Can a vaccinated dog get kennel cough? Yes. Vaccines reduce risk and severity but do not cover every cause. ### How long until signs appear? Usually 2 to 14 days after exposure, according to the AKC. ### How long should a coughing dog stay away from other dogs? The AKC advises isolating during symptoms and for at least two weeks after the cough stops.