Canine Cough (CIRDC)

‍

Canine Cough (CIRDC): What You Need to Know

We understand how stressful it can be to hear about respiratory illness in the pet care world. At Bandit’s Stay and Play, we value honesty, curiosity, and the wellbeing of both dogs and humans. Our goal is to give you accurate, evidence-based information so you can feel confident and calm.

Quick Facts for the Skimmers:

• Kennel cough (CIRDC) is like the common cold for dogs.
• It usually causes mild coughing and sneezing and resolves on its own.
• Most dogs recover fully within 7–14 days with rest.
• It's often not dangerous for healthy dogs.
• Like colds in children, it's highly contagious and may spread before symptoms appear.
• Multiple viruses and bacteria can cause CIRDC.
• Dogs can pick it up anywhere — not just at daycare. From shared sniff spots on walks to even on your shoes if you've walked through an area where a sick dog has recently been — exposure is more common (and more invisible) than we realize.

A Closer Look: What Is CIRDC?

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), commonly known as kennel cough, is not just one illness. It’s a group of respiratory infections caused by multiple bacteria and viruses. The Merck Veterinary Manual and the AVMA both describe CIRDC as similar to a cold in humans (Merck Vet Manual, AVMA).

Symptoms may include:

• Dry, hacking cough
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Mild fever
• Lethargy

Most cases are mild, self-limiting, and dogs recover at home. Rare complications can occur in puppies, seniors, or dogs with weakened immune systems.

‍

How Does It Spread?

Like colds, CIRDC spreads easily through:

• Airborne droplets (coughs/sneezes)
• Shared surfaces (bowls, leashes, hands, clothing)
• High-traffic areas (dog parks, sidewalks, vet clinics)

Dogs can be contagious before symptoms appear and may never show symptoms but still carry and spread pathogens. According to Shelter Medicine experts, the incubation period can range from 2 to 14 days (UC Davis Shelter Medicine).

‍

What To Do If Your Dog Might Be Sick

We know it can be hard to know what to do if you think your dog might be getting sick—or if you learn they were contagious after attending daycare. Please don’t worry about judgment. Here’s what helps most:

• Keep your dog home until at least 72 hours after symptoms resolve.
• Let us know right away, even if you’re not sure. We’ll thank you, not blame you.
• Call your vet if symptoms worsen or don’t improve in 10–14 days.
• Inform friends or pet care providers your dog interacted with during the past 7–10 days. Sharing helps protect others and prevent bigger outbreaks.

‍

When Can My Dog Return?

If your pup shows signs of illness, they’re welcome back after they’ve been symptom-free for at least 72 hours. If your vet recommends something different, let us know—we’re happy to coordinate.

What We Do to Keep Your Dog Safe

Safety is built into every part of our operation, always. And it starts with the relationships we build.

From day one, we set the tone for a space of mutual respect and open communication. We want every client to feel comfortable reaching out—even if it's just a "maybe." If you notice something off or your vet later confirms exposure, letting us know helps us act swiftly to protect others. No judgment. No blame. Just action.

We believe transparency isn't just a policy; it's a promise. We hold ourselves to the same standard by proactively notifying any clients whose dogs may have been exposed so they can make informed decisions, too. This is how we aim to model the kind of community we want to see in the broader industry.

Every Day:

• Small group sizes
• No shared food/water bowls
• Deep clean of all kennels, cubbies, and shared surfaces between uses
• Multiple daily disinfections of high-traffic areas
• Health checks at check-in and throughout the day
• Immediate isolation, sent home to prevent potential spread, and follow-up for vet confirmation if symptoms arise
• Only vaccinated dogs are admitted
• Vets alert us of local outbreaks
• We monitor official alerts from Utah County & surrounding areas
• We treat even our plants, as some illnesses can live on them (Merck Biosecurity Guidelines)
• Enforce strong staff hygiene practices including handwashing between dogs, facility-only clothing, and disinfecting personal gear like phones, shoes, and radios
• Sanitize toys, leashes, and enrichment items between uses
• Maintain good airflow and ventilation within indoor spaces

During a Known Outbreak:

• Doubling down on disinfection frequency
• Limiting group size and adjusting playgroup structure
• Avoiding unnecessary handling or equipment sharing
• Following outbreak protocols reviewed quarterly from AVMA, AAHA, Merck, CAPC, and CDC
• Notifying all clients with potential exposure
• Minimizing contact between groups and reducing overlap in high-traffic areas
• Monitoring updates from trusted veterinary sources daily

How You Can Help:

• Monitor your dog: Coughing? Sneezing? Keep them home.
• Wait 14 days after visiting another facility, high-risk space (like pet stores, dog parks, or vet clinics), or after contact with dogs who frequent those spaces (such as friends' dogs who are regularly in high-traffic environments), or after traveling.
• Update emergency contacts with us each visit (even mid-stay) as many times as needed so we always have someone to contact for pick-up if your dog shows symptoms while you’re away. We can keep unlimited contacts for dog on their file and we have no problem reaching out to as many of your people as you need us to. 
• Tell us right away if your dog becomes ill.
• Talk to your vet if you’re unsure what symptoms mean.

This shared responsibility is what makes our community strong.

Understanding Exposure & Responsibility

If you’ve ever found yourself worrying that your dog might have passed something along to another, please know: you are not alone—and you are not to blame. We never want anyone to feel ashamed, scared, embarrassed, or guilty for speaking up. That hesitation only delays the chance to act quickly and protect others.

Every minute someone spends in a shame spiral—talking themselves into or out of making a call to their vet, to a friend, or to us because they’re worried about being judged—is a minute where exposure might continue unchecked. Every conversation that focuses on blame instead of support—whether with a friend, a vet, a pet store employee, or facility—is a moment we lose the chance to warn someone before they leave for a weekend adventure with their dog, unaware they may have been exposed. The longer we hesitate, the more time illness has to spread. That’s why kindness and open communication aren’t just feel-good values—they’re powerful tools of prevention.

We want to normalize openness and make it feel safe to say, "Hey, I just found out my dog might have been contagious last week." Because when that becomes the norm, we all benefit.

CIRDC, like the common cold in humans, can spread before symptoms appear. It can be picked up from shared spaces, from a friend’s dog who seemed perfectly fine, or even unknowingly passed on through routine outings. Exposure is often invisible and unavoidable—and that’s why blame has no place here.

At Bandit’s, and hopefully across the entire pet community, we believe the response matters more than the source. When everyone—clients, pet businesses, vets, pet professionals, and friends—chooses transparency over shame, we create a culture that truly puts dogs first.

Let’s be the kind of community where love, compassion, and altruism replace fear and defensiveness. Where speaking up is seen as an act of love and care, not something to hide. That’s how we keep pets safer, together.

Thank you for being part of a community that chooses understanding, teamwork, and care for all. We’re proud to be your partner in raising healthy, happy dogs.

— The Bandit’s Team

‍

Trusted Resources below for more information