Bordetella Vaccine: What Dog Parents Should Know in 2025

If your pup spends time at daycare, dog parks, grooming salons, training classes, or boarding facilities, you’ve probably heard about the Bordetella vaccine—often called the kennel cough vaccine. Below is a concise, evidence‑based guide to help you decide when and how to vaccinate, how quickly protection kicks in, and how long it lasts.

What is the Bordetella vaccine?

“Bordetella” refers to Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterium that contributes to canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC)—colloquially, kennel cough. Vaccination doesn’t guarantee zero infection, but it reduces the risk, severity, and shedding of disease. For a medical overview, see the MSD Veterinary Manual on kennel cough: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-small-animals/kennel-cough.

Who actually needs it?

The vaccine is considered non‑core in major guidelines, meaning it’s given based on lifestyle risk rather than to every dog by default. Dogs that regularly meet other dogs—even at well‑ventilated, reputable facilities—are candidates. Consult:

• AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines (2024 update): https://www.aaha.org/resources/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines/
• WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines (2024): PDF summary and tables at https://wsava.org/Global-Guidelines/Vaccination-Guidelines/

Vaccine types (and why they matter)

There are three formulations, each priming immunity a little differently:

• Intranasal (IN): A live, avirulent vaccine dripped or sprayed into the nose. Creates mucosal immunity where pathogens enter. Known for rapid onset—often within 2–7 days depending on product and study. Some IN combos also include parainfluenza (Pi) and adenovirus‑2 (CAV‑2).
• Oral (PO): A live, avirulent vaccine squirted into the cheek pouch. Also stimulates local mucosal immunity; many products document onset by ~7 days and duration up to 12–13 months.
• Injectable (SC/IM): An inactivated (killed) extract. Useful for dogs that cannot receive live mucosal vaccines, but protection generally takes longer to develop and depends on a two‑dose priming series if naïve.

When should my dog get it? (schedule & boosters)

• Puppies: Often first given around 8–12 weeks (exact age varies by product). Your vet may recommend a booster 2–4 weeks later if the initial dose was injectable or if risk is high.
• Adults (never vaccinated): One IN or PO dose may be sufficient to prime; injectable products typically need two doses 2–4 weeks apart.
• Boosters: Many dogs boost annually (every 12 months). In high‑exposure settings (daycare several times a week, frequent boarding, shows, shelters), some practices use 6‑month boosters—ask your veterinarian what’s appropriate.

How long does protection last?

Product‑specific duration of immunity (DOI) varies. Several intranasal and oral products document ~1 year DOI. Because CIRDC is multi‑agent, some clinics synchronize Bordetella boosters with annual wellness or adjust frequency seasonally. When in doubt, follow your vet’s product label and local risk.

• Example references: Recombitek Oral Bordetella (documented ≥13 months DOI) and Nobivac Intra‑Trac lines report ~1‑year coverage. Manufacturer pages: https://bi-animalhealth.com/pets/canine/products/vaccines/recombitek/oral-bordetella and https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/nobivac/nobivac-intra-trac3.

How fast does it work?

• Intranasal: Some studies show onset within 48–72 hours for the Bordetella fraction in certain IN vaccines; more commonly, protection by ~7 days is reported.
• Oral: Typically by ~7 days.
• Injectable: After a two‑dose series, expect ~1–2 weeks after the second dose for meaningful protection.

Because facilities set their own rules, always check their lead time: some accept 48–72 hours after IN/PO vaccination; others require 7–10 days or proof of current vaccination administered weeks earlier.

Side effects & safety

Most dogs handle Bordetella vaccines well. Possible, usually self‑limiting effects include mild lethargy, sneezing (with IN), transient cough, or oral drool/gagging (with PO). Injection‑site tenderness can occur with injectables. Severe reactions are rare; seek veterinary care for facial swelling, hives, persistent vomiting, collapse, or breathing difficulty.

Boarding, daycare & grooming: what to expect

• Many facilities require Bordetella vaccination and list a minimum interval before attendance (e.g., ≥72 hours for IN/PO; 1–2 weeks post‑booster for injectables). Policies vary—always confirm ahead of travel or reservations.
• Some facilities also ask for canine influenza (CIV) and leptospirosis depending on outbreaks and local risk.

How Bordetella differs from human “Bordetella” vaccines

The name “Bordetella vaccine” sometimes confuses owners because humans receive Tdap/DTaP, which include protection against Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough). That is not the same pathogen as B. bronchiseptica in dogs. For human schedules, see CDC Tdap guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/hcp/vaccine-recommendations/index.html and the 2025 adult schedule: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/adult-age.html.

What about cats?

Cats can also be infected by B. bronchiseptica, especially in shelters and multi‑cat environments. An intranasal feline vaccine exists in some regions, but it’s non‑core and generally considered for high‑risk settings. For background, see ABCD Cats & Vets: https://www.abcdcatsvets.org/guideline-for-bordetella-bronchiseptica-infection-in-cats/ and the EMA Nobivac Bb note on 72‑hour onset and 1‑year DOI in cats: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/veterinary/EPAR/nobivac-bb.

FAQ

Does my dog still need Bordetella if they’re mostly at home? If your dog rarely meets other dogs, risk is lower. But boarding, grooming, emergency stays, classes, and parks can crop up unexpectedly—many owners keep Bordetella up to date as a practical safeguard.

Which type should I pick? For last‑minute boarding, intranasal or oral often make sense. If your dog is reactive to nasal/oral handling or can’t receive live vaccines, your vet may choose an injectable series instead.

How often is it given? Commonly annually; every 6 months for very social dogs or per facility policy.

Will it stop all coughing? CIRDC is multi‑agent; Bordetella vaccination reduces risk and severity, but it can’t block every cause. Many combo vaccines also cover parainfluenza.

Bottom line

The Bordetella vaccine is a smart layer of protection for socially active dogs. Choose the route (intranasal, oral, or injectable) and timing that fit your dog’s lifestyle and any facility rules. For individualized advice, ask your veterinarian and refer to AAHA and WSAVA guidelines for current best practices.

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Further reading

• AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines (2024 update): https://meridian.allenpress.com/jaaha/article/60/6/1/503802/2022-AAHA-Canine-Vaccination-Guidelines-2024
• WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines (2024 PDF): https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WSAVA-Vaccination-guidelines-2024.pdf
• MSD Veterinary Manual: Kennel Cough overview: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-small-animals/kennel-cough
• Oral Bordetella vaccine—13‑month DOI study (open‑access): https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC7570226
• CDC—Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine recommendations (humans): https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/hcp/vaccine-recommendations/index.html