Vaccines are one of the most important tools in preventive veterinary care, and they are also a topic where many owners have questions. How often does my pet need shots? Does an indoor cat need vaccines at all? Why did my friend’s dog get a vaccine mine did not? The short answer is that vaccine plans are tailored to the individual animal, and the best way to understand yours is a conversation with your veterinarian.
This article offers general background to help you have that conversation. It is not a vaccination schedule.
Core Versus Non-Core Vaccines
Veterinary organizations generally divide vaccines into two broad groups:
- Core vaccines are recommended for most pets because they protect against diseases that are widespread, serious or transmissible to people. For dogs, these commonly include rabies, distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus. For cats, they commonly include rabies and the combination vaccine covering panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus.
- Non-core or lifestyle vaccines are recommended based on an animal’s risk. Examples for dogs may include leptospirosis, Bordetella (often associated with kennel cough), canine influenza and Lyme disease. For cats, feline leukemia virus vaccination is often discussed, especially for kittens and cats that go outdoors.
Rabies vaccination is also regulated by law in many places. Requirements vary by state and locality, so check with your veterinarian or local government for the rules where you live.
Lifestyle Questions Your Vet May Ask
To recommend lifestyle vaccines, your veterinarian needs to understand your pet’s world. Be ready to talk about:
- Whether your pet goes outdoors, and where
- Boarding, grooming, daycare, dog parks or training classes
- Hiking, camping, hunting or time near ponds, streams and wildlife
- Travel plans, including to other regions
- Other animals in the home and their health status
Fall is a natural time to revisit these questions, since many dogs spend more time on trails, at daycare or boarding during holiday travel.
Timing and Boosters
Puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccines in their first months because protection from their mother’s antibodies fades at an unpredictable time. Adult boosters are given at intervals that depend on the specific vaccine and product. Some are given yearly, while others may be given less often. Your vet will tell you which applies.
If your pet has missed boosters, do not assume the whole series must start over or that nothing is needed. Ask your veterinarian what makes sense.
Side Effects and Concerns
Most pets have no reaction or only mild, short-lived effects such as tiredness or soreness at the injection site. Serious reactions are uncommon but possible. Tell your veterinarian if your pet has ever reacted to a vaccine, and contact them promptly if you notice facial swelling, hives, vomiting, difficulty breathing or collapse after a vaccination.
If you have concerns about vaccines, raise them openly. Ask what each vaccine protects against, how likely exposure is for your pet and what the risks are of vaccinating versus not. A thoughtful veterinarian will welcome the discussion.
