Bordetella Vaccine Cost: 2026 US Clinic Prices, Exam Fees and Boosters

A Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine costs $15 to $35 per dose on the US nonprofit and low-cost clinic price lists we checked in October 2026, and Lemonade's 2025-2026 claims data put the national average at $50, from $29 to $81 by state. Add a full-service exam and the bill grows: one Green Bay, Wisconsin practice lists $37.92 for the vaccine plus $96.86 for the exam, $134.78 in total (our sum). Most dogs that need it get one dose a year, and prices vary by region, clinic and dog.

You can't change the list price, but you can choose the clinic, avoid a second exam fee, time boosters and keep a cough from becoming a sick visit. For cough season, some owners also keep Pure Majesty Pets Cough & Respiratory Drops ($31.99, 60 mL) at home: a gentle herbal liquid that may help soothe throat irritation. It is not a substitute for the vaccine or for a vet exam.

Comparing products for a coughing dog? Our 2026 report on respiratory and cough supplements for dogs shows how to check a label. Boarding and daycare dogs share parasites too: see the best flea treatment for dogs.

Bordetella vaccine cost at US clinics: 2026 price lists

Bordetella shot costs that named clinics publish on their own websites. "Total" adds the fees each list shows for a vaccine visit; the sums are our calculations, not quotes.

The vaccine moves within a $22.92 band ($15 to $37.92); the fees around it run from nothing to $96.86, so the cheapest and most expensive totals sit $119.78 apart. CareCredit adds that an "in-office visit" fee may come on top of its averages. Our guide to how much a vet visit costs explains what the exam fee covers.

National averages: how much is a Bordetella shot?

National Bordetella vaccine price data, by source:

• Lemonade (policyholder invoices, Oct 2025 to Sep 2026, the vaccine "as billed"): $50 average. New Jersey $81, Utah $78, New York $62, Illinois and DC $59, Washington $54, Massachusetts $53, California $49, Texas $44, Florida $40; $29 in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Nevada. New Jersey runs about 2.8 times the cheapest states.
• CareCredit (Synchrony 2025-2026 cost study): $39.
• Embrace (Sep 2025, no data source cited): $15 to $45, most owners around $30; $35 to $95 for the whole visit.
• MetLife Pet (Oct 2026, no data source cited): $30 to $50 per dose.

Lemonade reports the vaccine as billed and does not say whether an exam fee is counted, so ask your clinic whether a visit fee comes on top.

Intranasal, oral or injectable: kennel cough vaccine cost by route

The route sets how many visits you pay for in year one and how soon protection starts.

Ages, doses and onset: Ford, Today's Veterinary Practice (2014, updated 2022); oral vs intranasal onset: Scott-Garrard et al., Vet Record Open (2018). Prices: clinic lists above.

At the same per-dose price, the injectable route doubles the first-year cost. AAHA's guidelines call the intranasal route generally preferable for respiratory pathogens and don't recommend single-component oral or injectable Bordetella vaccines except in specific cases, such as a dog that can't take nose drops. AAHA also says dogs at risk for Bordetella should be vaccinated against canine parainfluenza and adenovirus 2, so ask whether your clinic's product or your dog's core vaccine covers them. Puppies follow their own schedule (Merck: a first dose at 6 to 8 weeks, repeated twice at 3- to 4-week intervals until 14 to 16 weeks), so ask whether those doses can share visits with the core puppy shots.

How many times does a dog need a Bordetella shot? Cost per year

Once a year is the default for every route (Ford; Merck; Webvet). For high-risk dogs, AAHA notes more frequent intranasal boosters "may be advantageous," because clinical immunity "may be as short as ~6 mo," and AKC says some vets recommend a six-month booster. The yearly effect:

All yearly totals are our calculations from the cited per-dose and exam prices.

A six-month schedule adds $37.92 a year if the second booster needs no new exam, and $134.78 if it does. Ask how your clinic handles booster-only visits.

The "kennel cough package": what boarding and daycare often add

Some boarding kennels and daycares also want canine influenza (CIV) vaccination. On the same lists:

• CIV alone: $26 (H3N2, Virginia Beach SPCA), $30 (Sacramento SPCA), $32 (Peninsula SPCA), $40 bivalent (CAP Houston), $45 (lowcostpetvaccines.com), $51 (Humane Animal Rescue), $53 bivalent (HSHV) and $64.32 (Gentle Vets). CareCredit's national average is $53.
• Bordetella plus CIV (our sums): $50 at the Virginia Beach SPCA ($75 with its exam), $55 in Sacramento, $75 at the Los Angeles mobile clinics, and $102.24 at Gentle Vets ($199.10 with the exam). National averages total $92.

AAHA states that "the routine use of CIV vaccines in all dogs is currently not recommended," and Webvet notes that "facility requirements are admission rules, not universal medical schedules." If the flu shot is new for your dog, ask whether it starts as a two-dose series. Emancipet says its intranasal vaccine covers Bordetella plus two respiratory viruses; most other lists just say "Bordetella," so ask which product your clinic's line uses.

Vaccine vs getting sick: kennel cough treatment cost

An uncomplicated kennel cough often needs no hospital stay, and antibiotics are usually unnecessary unless pneumonia is present (Merck). Pneumonia is where costs climb: Cornell describes hospitalization, IV antibiotics, oxygen and fluids.

Against Lemonade's $50 average shot, CareCredit's mild respiratory infection average ($335) is about 6.7 times the price, and a severe case ($2,671) more than 50 times. The vaccine can't promise your dog skips the illness, but it lowers the odds of the expensive end of this table.

What the Bordetella vaccine does not cover

Kennel cough is a group of infections. Merck lists Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza, canine adenovirus 2 and canine influenza among the causes, often together. The common intranasal vaccine targets Bordetella and parainfluenza; ASPCApro notes that vaccines for canine respiratory coronavirus, herpesvirus, pneumovirus and Mycoplasma "do not exist or are not currently available" in the US, and calls the complex "not a vaccine-preventable disease," though vaccination lowers how often and how badly dogs get sick.

Cornell puts it plainly: "a vaccine doesn't prevent infection," but it lessens severity, including pneumonia risk. If your vaccinated dog starts coughing after daycare, our guide to dog coughing shows what to note for the vet.

Side effects to expect after the shot

Sneezing or coughing after an intranasal dose is common (Ford); AKC calls it "a little bit of coughing or sneezing." Injectables can leave a small lump or soreness. An intranasal product must never be injected: AAHA warns the reactions "can be serious." To judge a sneeze, see why dogs sneeze.

Do dogs really need the Bordetella vaccine?

It depends on lifestyle. WSAVA's 2024 guidelines call respiratory vaccines non-core for pet dogs in typical homes but "core for shelter-housed dogs." The AVMA recommends an annual intranasal vaccine for dogs "whose lifestyles expose them to multiple-dog settings," and Cornell names boarding, groomers and dog parks. No US law requires the vaccine; kennels, daycares and groomers set their own rules, so check with any facility you use.

Those settings also spread ticks and worms. Compare tick prevention options for dogs, learn what to do about a tick on your dog, and review how vets treat parasites in dogs.

Can you buy a Bordetella shot over the counter?

You may see Bordetella products sold to owners, but the vet-reviewed Webvet guide advises: "Do not self-administer a retail Bordetella product."

• Records. Rules vary: Iowa requires "written documentation of vaccination from a veterinarian," while New York City accepts an owner's receipt (Hemopet). Webvet warns "a receipt or owner-entered reminder may not satisfy the facility," so ask your boarding facility which records it accepts.
• Handling. Owner-bought vaccines risk improper storage, and reactions happen away from vet care (Weese, Worms & Germs).
• Rabies is different. Texas law, for example, says rabies vaccine "may be administered only by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian."

With several nonprofit clinics charging $15 to $25 and no added fee, a vet-given shot that comes with a proper record is already inexpensive.

How to keep Bordetella and kennel cough costs down

1. Match the clinic to the visit. A healthy dog that only needs the shot can get it for $15 to $25 at a county or nonprofit clinic. If the annual exam is due, add Bordetella to it: at Gentle Vets, a separate trip means paying the $96.86 exam twice.
2. Book by route. Intranasal protection starts 48 to 72 hours after one dose; an injectable needs two visits, with protection 5 to 7 days after the second (Ford). Ask your facility how far ahead it wants the shot.
3. Keep the paperwork ready. Send the full record, not a reminder card (Webvet). Our pet parent wellness checklist has a yearly records routine.
4. Ask what is actually required. If CIV isn't required and your vet agrees the risk is low, you skip a $26 to $64.32 line.
5. Check your insurance. MetLife reports kennel cough claims such as a $650 bill for one puppy. Check whether your policy, or any wellness add-on, reimburses routine vaccines before you book.
6. Keep a sick dog home. Dogs can shed virus for two weeks or longer after recovery (ASPCApro).
7. Watch age. Merck flags puppies and aged dogs for complications. Check our dog age chart and read senior dog immune support.
8. Budget the rest of routine care. Compare dewormers for dogs, see what a dog teeth cleaning costs, and if money is tight, read what to do when you can't afford the vet.

If pneumonia leads to a prescription, ask your vet about gut support afterward; see probiotics for dogs after antibiotics.

For daily wellness, Pure Majesty Pets also makes immune support drops ($33.99), a liquid with echinacea and olive leaf extract that supports normal immune function; they are not a replacement for any vaccine. For social dogs, Flea & Tick Support for Dogs & Cats ($31.99) is an oral skin-comfort supplement to use alongside, never instead of, the parasite preventive your vet recommends.

Why Pure Majesty Pets Cough & Respiratory Drops

• Gentle herbal liquid that may help soothe throat irritation and supports normal immune function.
• Easy to give: into the mouth or mixed into food, dosed to weight with the guide on the bottle.
• $31.99 for 60 mL, with free worldwide shipping.
• Made in North America in a GMP facility, with a certificate of analysis (COA) for every batch.
• Honest limits: a supportive supplement, not a vaccine or a substitute for veterinary care. Ask your vet before giving any product to a coughing dog.

Try Pure Majesty Pets Cough & Respiratory Drops, and read our guide to dog cough drops and safe administration for what a label should show.

The bottom line

Budget $15 to $35 for a Bordetella shot at a low-cost clinic, $39 to $50 at national averages, and $96 to $135 with a full-service exam on the lists we checked. Most dogs need it once a year; a six-month schedule doubles the vaccine line. Pair the shot with the annual exam, keep records ready and keep a coughing dog home. For gentle comfort care through boarding season, add Pure Majesty Pets Cough & Respiratory Drops ($31.99, free worldwide shipping) alongside the vaccine and your vet.

More vet cost guides

• Vet visit cost: exam fees, sample bills and emergency prices
• Apoquel cost: price per tablet and monthly cost by weight
• Dog teeth cleaning cost: real clinic prices and extractions
• Dog cataract surgery cost: what the specialist bill includes
• Adequan for dogs: injection cost and what to expect
• Joint injections for dogs: types and costs
• Luxating patella in dogs: grades, surgery and costs
• Osteochondritis dissecans in dogs: diagnosis and surgery
• Dog ear infection and you can't afford the vet: your options

Bordetella Vaccine Cost FAQ

How much is a Bordetella shot usually?

On the US nonprofit and low-cost clinic lists we checked in October 2026, a Bordetella shot cost $15 to $35. National averages are $39 (CareCredit, 2025-2026 study) and $50 per dose (Lemonade claims, October 2025 to September 2026), with state averages from $29 to $81.

How much is the kennel cough vaccine at a regular vet?

Expect the vaccine plus an exam fee. The Gentle Vets in Green Bay, Wisconsin lists $37.92 for the vaccine and $96.86 for a wellness exam, $134.78 together by our calculation. CareCredit's national averages give $95 to $168 for the vaccine plus a routine visit.

Do dogs really need Bordetella vaccines?

Not every dog. WSAVA calls respiratory vaccines non-core for pet dogs in typical homes but core for shelter-housed dogs, and the AVMA recommends an annual intranasal vaccine for dogs in multiple-dog settings. No US law requires it, but boarding facilities may. Ask your vet based on your dog's lifestyle.

How many times does a dog need a Bordetella shot?

Once a year is the standard booster for all routes. An intranasal dose protects within 48 to 72 hours, while an injectable starts with two doses and protects 5 to 7 days after the second. For high-risk dogs, AAHA notes immunity may last only about six months, so some vets give a booster every six months, which doubles the yearly vaccine cost.

Can you buy Bordetella shots over the counter?

You may see Bordetella products sold to owners, but the vet-reviewed Webvet guide advises against self-administering one, and many boarding facilities want a veterinary record. Ask your boarding facility which records it accepts. Rabies is different: Texas law, for example, allows rabies vaccine to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.

Can a vaccinated dog still get kennel cough?

Yes. Kennel cough has several causes, and the usual Bordetella and parainfluenza vaccine does not target others such as canine respiratory coronavirus, herpesvirus, pneumovirus or Mycoplasma, for which no US vaccine is currently available (ASPCApro). Cornell notes the vaccine does not prevent infection but lessens how severe it gets, including the risk of pneumonia.

How much does kennel cough treatment cost?

An exam plus medication usually costs $75 to $200 (Pawlicy, 2026), with x-rays and lab work adding $200 to $500. CareCredit's averages for an upper respiratory infection are $335 mild, $649 moderate and $2,671 severe, and MetLife lists pneumonia hospitalization at $800 to $1,500 per night.

Sources

• Lemonade, Bordetella vaccine cost for dogs (claims data Oct 2025 to Sep 2026) (updated Oct 2026)
• CareCredit, vet cost guide (Synchrony 2025-2026 cost study) (2026)
• Embrace, How much is the Bordetella vaccine for dogs? (Sep 2025)
• MetLife Pet, Bordetella vaccine cost (Oct 2026)
• MetLife Pet, Pneumonia in dogs (Oct 2025)
• MetLife Pet, Does pet insurance cover kennel cough? (Feb 2026)
• Pawlicy, Kennel cough in dogs (Sep 2026; cited as plain text, no link)
• Clinic price lists: Washoe County Regional Animal Services (NV), Emancipet (TX, PA), Longmont Humane Society (CO), Sacramento SPCA (CA), lowcostpetvaccines.com (CA), Humane Animal Rescue (PA), Virginia Beach SPCA (VA), Citizens for Animal Protection (TX), Peninsula SPCA (VA), Humane Society of Huron Valley (MI), The Gentle Vets (WI); linked in the price table above (2025-2026)
• AAHA, 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines: Bordetella, parainfluenza and influenza (2022, modified 2024)
• WSAVA, 2024 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats (2024)
• Merck Veterinary Manual, Kennel cough (Tonozzi) (updated 2024)
• AVMA, Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (kennel cough) (undated)
• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, The risks of kennel cough (undated)
• Ford RB, Kennel cough revisited, Today's Veterinary Practice (2014, modified 2022)
• ASPCApro, CIRDC: prevention, management and treatment (2017, modified 2026)
• Scott-Garrard MM et al., Comparative onset of immunity of oral and intranasal Bordetella vaccines, Vet Rec Open (abstract) (2018)
• AKC, Bordetella vaccine for dogs (Aug 2026)
• Webvet, Bordetella vaccine for dogs (Aug 2026)
• Hemopet, Boarding kennels and grooming vaccination laws (Dec 2023, modified Feb 2025)
• Texas Health and Safety Code section 826.023 (current)
• Weese S, Worms & Germs Blog, Cheap pet vaccines (2008)

This article is for informational purposes and is not veterinary advice. Prices are examples from published US price lists and insurer reports as of 2026 and vary by region, clinic and dog. Talk to your veterinarian about which vaccines your dog needs, and before starting any supplement, especially if your dog is pregnant, nursing, on medication, or has a diagnosed condition.