Quick Answer
The bordetella vaccine protects against kennel cough and costs $20-$45 per dose. It's required by most groomers, boarding facilities, and dog daycares. Available as intranasal (nose drops), oral (liquid by mouth), or injectable. Boosters are needed every 6-12 months depending on the form used.
Table of Contents
What Is Bordetella?
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that causes infectious tracheobronchitis, commonly known as kennel cough. It inflames the upper respiratory tract, leading to a distinctive harsh, honking cough that sounds like the dog has something stuck in their throat.
Kennel cough spreads rapidly in enclosed spaces where dogs are in close contact — grooming salons, boarding kennels, dog parks, shelters, and training classes. While it's rarely fatal in healthy adult dogs, it can be serious for puppies, senior dogs, and immunocompromised dogs.
For information about kennel cough symptoms and treatment, see our guide on kennel cough in dogs.
Which Dogs Need the Bordetella Vaccine?
The bordetella vaccine is classified as non-core, meaning it's not required for every dog. However, it's strongly recommended (and often required) for dogs that:
Highly Recommended
- • Visit professional groomers
- • Board at kennels or pet hotels
- • Attend dog daycare
- • Go to dog parks regularly
- • Take training or obedience classes
- • Visit pet stores frequently
May Not Need
- • Dogs that stay home and rarely interact with other dogs
- • Dogs in rural areas with no dog-to-dog contact
- • Senior dogs with minimal social activity
Discuss with your vet based on your dog's lifestyle
Oral vs. Injectable vs. Intranasal: Which Type Is Best?
The bordetella vaccine comes in three forms. Each has pros and cons:
| Type | How Given | Protection Starts | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intranasal | Drops in nose | 48-72 hours | Fastest protection, local immunity | May cause sneezing for 1-3 days |
| Oral | Liquid in mouth | 48-72 hours | Easy to give, no injection, no sneezing | Dog may spit it out |
| Injectable | Shot under skin | 1-2 weeks | Reliable delivery, systemic immunity | Slower onset, needs 2 initial doses, injection site soreness |
Vet Recommendation
Most vets prefer the intranasal or oral forms because they provide faster protection (48-72 hours vs. 1-2 weeks for injectable) and stimulate local immunity in the respiratory tract where the infection occurs. If you need quick protection before boarding or grooming, choose intranasal or oral.
How Much Does the Bordetella Vaccine Cost?
| Provider | Cost per Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private vet | $30-$45 | Includes exam fee, may bundle with other vaccines |
| Low-cost clinic | $15-$25 | Walk-in, no exam fee, vaccine only |
| Pet store vet | $20-$35 | Convenient walk-in hours, often discounted bundles |
Many vets include bordetella in annual wellness packages alongside DHPP and rabies boosters, saving you 15-20% compared to individual pricing.
How Often Does My Dog Need the Bordetella Vaccine?
| Scenario | Frequency | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (first time) | Single dose at 8+ weeks | Intranasal or oral (1 dose); injectable (2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart) |
| Regular grooming/boarding | Every 6-12 months | Every 6 months for high-exposure dogs |
| Low-exposure adult dogs | Annually | Any form, single booster |
For the full puppy vaccination timeline including bordetella, see our complete puppy vaccination schedule.
Bordetella Vaccine Side Effects
Side effects from the bordetella vaccine are usually mild and short-lived:
Normal (Resolve in 1-3 Days)
- • Sneezing or mild nasal discharge (intranasal form)
- • Mild cough for 1-2 days
- • Slight lethargy
- • Decreased appetite for a day
- • Injection site soreness (injectable form)
Call Your Vet
- • Persistent cough lasting more than 5 days
- • Difficulty breathing
- • Facial swelling or hives
- • Vomiting or severe diarrhea
- • Fever or significant lethargy beyond 48 hours
For more details on vaccine reactions, see our guide on dog vaccine side effects: normal vs. needs vet attention.
Bordetella & Grooming Requirements
The bordetella vaccine is required before boarding or grooming at most salons. Here's why groomers take this seriously:
- Grooming salons have multiple dogs in close quarters throughout the day
- Kennel cough spreads through airborne droplets and shared surfaces
- One infected dog can spread it to every dog groomed that day
- Groomers have a responsibility to keep all dogs in their care safe
What Groomers Typically Require
- • Bordetella — within the last 6-12 months
- • DHPP — current (annual or 3-year)
- • Rabies — current (legally required in most states)
- • Proof of vaccination (vet records or vaccine certificate)
Planning Ahead
If you need to book grooming soon, get the intranasal or oral bordetella vaccine — it provides protection in 48-72 hours. The injectable form takes 1-2 weeks, so plan ahead if that's the form your vet uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the bordetella vaccine for dogs?+
How much does the bordetella vaccine cost?+
How often does my dog need the bordetella vaccine?+
Can my dog be groomed without the bordetella vaccine?+
What are the side effects of the bordetella vaccine?+
Is the bordetella vaccine the same as the kennel cough vaccine?+
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