Dogs require certain vaccinations to help protect them from dangerous and potentially fatal diseases. Knowing what shots your dog needs and when they need them is an important part of being a responsible pet owner.
Puppy Shots
Puppies receive a series of vaccinations starting at 6-8 weeks of age and repeated every 3-4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old. These early vaccines help provide immunity when the puppy’s natural maternal immunity wears off.
Core puppy shots include:
- Distemper
- Adenovirus
- Parainfluenza
- Parvovirus
Optional puppy shots that may be recommended in some areas or for some situations include:
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme disease
- Canine influenza
Adult Dog Boosters
Once puppies have completed their entire series of shots, dogs require booster vaccinations at regular intervals throughout their lives. Core vaccines are repeated every 3 years, while non-core vaccines may be given annually or every 3 years depending on risk factors.
Recommended adult dog boosters include:
- Every 1-3 years: Rabies, distemper, parvo, adenovirus
- Every 1-3 years: Leptospirosis, Lyme, kennel cough (Bordetella), canine influenza
- Every 1-3 years: Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is sometimes only given annually because immunity may not last longer than a year for this disease. Check with your veterinarian about the recommended frequency in your area.
Are Dog Vaccines Really Necessary?
There is some controversy around over-vaccinating dogs. However, most vets agree that core vaccines (rabies, distemper, parvo, and adenovirus) should be given on schedule to all dogs since these protect against fatal and highly contagious diseases. For non-core vaccines, discuss the risks and benefits with your vet for your individual dog’s lifestyle and risk factors.
Why Vets Recommend Dog Vaccines
Veterinarians recommend certain vaccines for dogs because they help prevent common and serious diseases that can make your dog extremely sick or even cause death. Even with good veterinary care, some of these illnesses are difficult to cure once a dog contracts them. That’s why prevention through vaccination is so important.
Diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and rabies are spread easily between dogs and can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, neurological issues, organ failure, and death in many cases. Euthanasia may even be necessary if the dog suffers too much. These risks are why vets strongly advocate core vaccines for almost all dogs.
Potential Vaccine Side Effects
While serious side effects are very rare, some dogs may experience mild side effects from vaccinations, including:
- Soreness, swelling, or itching at the injection site
- Mild fever
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
These symptoms usually resolve on their own within a day or two. More severe vaccine reactions are possible but extremely uncommon.
Importance of Puppy Shots
Giving puppies a series of vaccinations starting at 6-8 weeks of age is critical for protecting them against disease. Puppies receive antibodies against viruses from their mother’s milk, but that immunity begins fading by 8 weeks as they are weaned.
Puppy shots given every 2-4 weeks allow antibodies to develop in the puppy’s own immune system. This provides protection through the critical window when they no longer have maternal immunity but are still vulnerable.
Young puppies who do not receive their full series of shots on schedule are at very high risk of getting sick and dying from a serious infectious disease. Their immune systems and vaccines have not had enough time to offer protection.
When Puppies Can Go Outdoors
Puppies should receive their final distemper/parvo shot at 14-16 weeks old. Vets recommend waiting another week or two beyond the final puppy shot before allowing your puppy to venture outdoors or mingle with unknown dogs. This allows time for the vaccine to fully stimulate immunity.
Socializing Your Puppy
While puppies need to stay fairly isolated until fully vaccinated, socialization is still important for proper behavioral development. Discuss safe socialization options with your vet, like supervised play sessions with known healthy puppies or dogs at their home or yours.
Importance of Adult Dog Boosters
Vaccines do not provide lifelong immunity to dogs. Depending on the disease, immunity can begin fading anywhere from 1 to 3 or more years after vaccination. Annual or triannual booster shots are necessary to renew protective antibodies and guard against infectious disease.
Without booster shots on schedule, adult dogs may have no defense against viruses they were previously immunized against as puppies. Even indoor dogs are still at risk through unknown exposure when boarded, groomed, walked, or examined at veterinary clinics.
Keeping up with boosters is just as critical as puppy shots when it comes to providing your dog with the best disease protection possible. Work with your vet to ensure your adult dog stays up to date on recommended vaccines.
Expect Vaccines at Routine Vet Visits
Your vet will administer any vaccines coming due at your dog’s annual wellness exam or biannual exam for senior dogs. Remind them of any lifestyle factors like boarding, socializing with multiple dogs, or traveling that may influence vaccine protocol choices.
Keep Your Own Vaccine Records
Maintaining your own pet health records with vaccination dates can help you remember when your dog is due for boosters. Share these records anytime you see a new vet, get boarding paperwork, or enroll your dog in activities requiring vet proof of vaccines.
Dog Vaccine Schedule FAQs
Do dogs really need so many vaccines?
Certain deadly canine viruses like parvovirus and rabies are extremely widespread, highly contagious, and nearly impossible to treat once a dog is infected. Vaccines remain the only reliable and safe prevention method. Core vaccines protect against the most common fatal diseases with an excellent safety record overall.
Are dog vaccines safe?
Reactions are very rare with recommended vaccine protocols. Most side effects are mild like soreness, fever, and lethargy that resolve quickly. Serious reactions are extremely uncommon but you should still discuss any specific vaccine concerns with your veterinarian.
Can too many vaccines overwhelm a dog’s immune system?
There is no evidence that spacing out vaccines or reducing vaccine numbers boosts immunity or prevents disease. Puppies especially require multiple vaccines in a short timeframe for critical protection when their maternally-acquired immunity wanes. Follow your vet’s protocol for the strongest immune response.
Do small breed dogs need a different vaccine schedule?
Vaccine guidelines do not differ between breeds. Small dogs receive the same shots on the same schedule. However, small dog breeds can be more prone to vaccine reactions so discuss any concerns with your vet.
Can a dog get parvo after vaccination?
Puppies can still contract parvovirus after beginning their vaccination series if maternal immunity interferes with complete immunization. Adult dogs may get parvo if their boosters lapse. However, appropriate vaccination provides excellent protection against parvo in most dogs.
Signs Your Dog May Need Vaccines
How can you tell if your dog is overdue for shots? Watch for these signs it may be time for boosters:
- Your dog is due or overdue based on previous vaccine dates
- Your vet recommends certain vaccines at an annual wellness exam
- Boarding, grooming, daycare or activities require current vaccine proof
- You get a new dog without prior vaccine records
- You plan to travel with your dog or move to a new area
- Disease risk factors in your area change over time
When in doubt, call your vet and ensure your dog is up to date on any recommended vaccines before an illness develops. Prevention is much easier than treatment when it comes to most dog diseases.
What to Do if You Can’t Afford Dog Vaccines
Vaccines are extremely cost effective compared to treating serious illnesses. However, if cost is an issue, consider these options so your dog still receives necessary protection:
- Enroll in a vet wellness plan with included annual vaccines
- Look for low-cost vaccination clinics in your area
- Ask your local shelter about discounted or free shots for owned pets
- Have your vet prioritize the rabies vaccine if budget is very tight
- Use CareCredit financing for necessary vet care including vaccines
Preventing deadly diseases like parvo and rabies through proper vaccination should always be considered essential care when financially possible.
Dog Vaccine Schedule Chart
Use this dog vaccine schedule as a quick reference for when your puppy or dog needs their shots:
| Age | Recommended Vaccines |
|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | Distemper/Parvo combo, Bordetella |
| 10-12 weeks | Distemper/Parvo combo, Leptospirosis, Bordetella |
| 14-16 weeks | Distemper/Parvo combo, Leptospirosis, Rabies |
| 1 year | Distemper/Parvo combo, Leptospirosis, Rabies, Bordetella, Lyme (if needed) |
| Every 1-3 years* | Distemper/Parvo combo, Leptospirosis, Rabies, Lyme (if needed) |
*Adult booster frequency depends on vaccine type and risk. Discuss an ongoing schedule with your vet.
Creating a Dog Vaccine Schedule
Follow these steps when organizing your dog’s vaccine needs:
- Get your puppy or dog’s vaccine history. Ask previous vets, shelters, or rescue groups for records.
- Discuss lifestyle factors with your vet, like boarding, socializing, traveling, and disease risks in your area.
- Have your vet recommend a schedule for core and non-core vaccines your dog needs.
- Mark all due dates on your calendar. Set reminders to stay organized.
- Bring vaccine records to all vet visits and ask what is due.
- Request reminders from your vet clinic when boosters or exams are approaching.
Planning ahead helps keep your dog’s immunity strong and their health protected.
Conclusion
Vaccinating dogs is the safest, most reliable way to protect them from potentially fatal viruses and bacteria. Puppies require a series of core and optional shots starting at 6-8 weeks of age and repeating every few weeks. Adult dogs need boosters for certain diseases anywhere from yearly to every three years throughout their lives.
While mild short-term side effects are possible, vaccines prevent widespread airborne or highly contagious diseases that are otherwise very difficult to treat. All pet owners should work closely with their vet to ensure dogs receive recommended vaccines on schedule for excellent health and longevity.
