Bordetella Vaccine Cost, Benefits, and Coverage

If your dog or cat has come down with a dry cough and other flu-like symptoms, they may have a bordetella bacterial infection, sometimes referred to as kennel cough. The good news is that a bordetella vaccine is available to help protect your pets against infection and the cost is usually $50 or less.¹ Learn more about what bordetella is, how the bordetella vaccine works, and how dog insurance and cat insurance can help you save on vet costs.

How Much Does the Bordetella Vaccine Cost?

The bordetella vaccine is relatively inexpensive, costing around $30 – $50 per dose.¹ The cost to treat bordetella, however, can be more expensive and include X-rays, antibiotics, and other over-the-counter medicines. This could make the cost of the bordetella vaccine worth it for you, in addition to helping keep your dog or cat healthy.

Factors that impact how much a bordetella shot is

Bordetella vaccine costs can vary due to certain factors like:¹

• Your location
• The type of clinic you visit
• The dosage needed
• The type of vaccine given (i.e., injection versus intranasal or oral)

There may be other expenses that coincide with your pet’s bordetella vaccination, such as other vaccinations given or an exam fee. Keep that in mind when preparing for the vet visit or ask your vet for a quote.

Ways to reduce the cost of bordetella vaccines

Vaccinations help keep your pet healthy, and there are ways to help you reduce their cost if it’s a barrier to routine care. Some options include:

• Visiting low-cost clinics
• Going to veterinary colleges for pet care
• Looking for free vaccination pop-ups
• Participating in veterinary discount plans
• Getting a pet insurance wellness plan that covers vaccines

Does Pet Insurance Cover the Cost of Bordetella Vaccines for Dogs and Cats?

Regular pet insurance doesn’t usually cover bordetella vaccines because it’s considered routine care, but optional wellness plans often do. MetLife Pet’s optional Preventive Care can help you cover the cost of bordetella vaccines up to your selected benefit limit. Just like we did for senior Lab, Prima. Her pet parents got reimbursed in full for her $30 vaccine bill since they hadn’t met their benefit limit yet on Prima’s Preventive Care plan.²

What Is Bordetella?

Bordetella bronchiseptica (bordetella) is a bacterium that can cause inflammation of your cat or dog’s upper respiratory system, leading to infection — it’s one of the most common bacteria responsible for kennel cough. This inflammation can appear in your pet with symptoms like:³

• A loud honking cough
• Runny nose
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Mild or low-grade fever

Bordetella can be fairly contagious, but it’s usually also treatable. Your vet may recommend rest, cough medicine, and antibiotics depending on the severity of the infection. More aggressive treatment could be needed if you have a puppy or kitten, an older pet, or an immunocompromised pet, because kennel cough can progress into bronchopneumonia or chronic bronchitis, or lead to other secondary infections.³

Bordetella vs. kennel cough

You may hear bordetella being used synonymously with kennel cough, but they aren’t exactly the same thing. Kennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is a broader term that can be used to describe a wide range of highly contagious upper respiratory illnesses. Kennel cough can include bordetella, but it can also include viral infections like distemper and influenza.³

How Does the Bordetella Vaccine Protect My Pet?

Like most vaccines, the bordetella vaccine protects against the bacteria that causes the affliction by introducing your pet to a small dose of nonpathogenic bordetella bacteria. By exposing your pet’s immune system to this bacterium, it allows them to develop the antibodies they need to fight off an infection in the future.⁴

Even if your dog or cat is exposed to bordetella and gets sick, being vaccinated may help reduce the severity of the symptoms so your dog or cat can get well sooner.⁴

When Does My Dog or Cat Need the Bordetella Vaccine?

Bordetella is a non-core vaccine, meaning it isn’t considered necessary for all pets. However, the bordetella vaccine is highly recommended by vets for pets who spend a lot of time around other pets, particularly in places like daycare or boarding facilities, dog parks, or training classes.³

The bordetella vaccine is usually administered after your puppy or kitten has turned 6 weeks old. After that, an annual or semi-annual booster is recommended. If you plan to keep your pet at a daycare center or boarding kennel, some facilities may require proof of an up-to-date vaccination or booster.⁴

Is the Bordetella Vaccine Safe for My Dog or Cat?

Yes, the bordetella vaccine is generally considered safe for most dogs and cats. While your pet may experience some side effects like a low-grade fever or flu-like symptoms after the vaccine is administered, this is usually temporary and your pet will likely return to normal quickly.⁴ Your veterinarian can discuss potential risks for the vaccinations your pet needs.

MetLife Pet’s Preventive Care Can Help You With Vaccine Costs

If you’re looking to offset bordetella vaccine costs, MetLife Pet’s optional Preventive Care can help you with initial vaccinations and annual boosters. Plus, our pet insurance can reimburse you for covered costs if your pet gets sick — with reimbursement rate options up to 90%.⁵

Get coverage now to help you make confident care decisions throughout your pet’s life. You can even use your Preventive Care benefits the very next day after enrolling. See your personalized rates today by getting a free quote.