Blog What Vaccines Does Your Pet Need?

What Vaccines Does Your Pet Need?

Posted by Lora Shaw on March 8, 2024

pet vaccines

Whether they’re juvenile or full grown, your pets will need different vaccines at different phases of their life. If you’re wondering just which vaccines you’ll need to take care of to ensure your pet stays healthy, you’ve come to the right place. Let Pet Palace cover the essentials!

Determining a Vaccination Schedule

Vaccinating your pet promotes long-term health, prevents disease, and helps avoid costly treatments such diseases bring about.

If you’re unsure on where to start with vaccines for your pet, working with a veterinarian will help you determine the best plan of action based on your pet’s species, age, health status, lifestyle, and more. Then, when your pet has regular checkups, you can discuss the vaccination plan, address any concerns, and ensure that your pet is remaining healthy.

Vaccines for Dogs

Puppies typically receive a series of vaccinations that start around 6-8 weeks of age. Then, they get boosters every 2-4 weeks until they are around 16-20 weeks old. While some dogs have different needs, there are common viruses and diseases that all dogs should be protected against.

Here is a list of core vaccines that all dogs should have:

Canine distemper virus (CDV) – This vaccine covers a highly contagious virus that impacts the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. The vaccine is administered every three years after the primary series of puppy vaccinations.
Canine adenovirus (CAV) type 1 and 2 – This vaccine is used to protect against canine hepatitis and respiratory infections.
Canine parvovirus – This vaccine is for a severe gastrointestinal illness that can be fatal, especially for puppies. It is often combined with DHP.
Rabies – This one is vital because rabies is fatal to humans and other mammals, which is why the vaccine is required by law. The law even dictates the age and intervals required for treatment.

Based on the lifestyle, habits, and age of your dog, you might also want to look into vaccines that protect against the following:

Bordetella – The Bordetella vaccine helps protect against canine or kennel cough. This is often required if you plan on taking your dog to boarding facilities, training schools, or day care.
Canine parainfluenza virus – CPIV is an additional component of kennel cough, which is a highly contagious respiratory virus, so vaccinating against it is key.
Leptospirosis – This is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted to dogs or other humans through the bacteria Leptospira. It is found in soil and water.
Lyme disease – Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease that is transmitted via ticks. The vaccine is important for dogs that live in areas where ticks are common.

Additionally, it is crucial to get adult boosters for your dog that help maintain immunity. The frequency depends on the vaccine, geographic schedule, and even if you plan to travel with your pup.

Vaccines for Cats

Just like puppies, kittens should start receiving vaccines when they are 6-8 weeks old, up until they are around 16 weeks. And like dogs, all cats have different needs but should be protected from core diseases.

Here are the vaccines that your cat should have:

Rabies – Since cats are mammals just like dogs, they can fall prey to the ravages of rabies, so they should always be vaccinated for it.
Panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper) – It is important to protect against panleukopenia, as the disease is fatal in cats. It is transmitted through infected animals, their fluids, and contaminated environments, and it can be especially deadly for kittens.
Feline calicivirus – These injections are given when the kitten is young, and the booster is administered every three years to prevent diseases associated with the pathogen.

Other vaccines you might want to look into for your cat depending on their lifestyle, habits, and phase of life include:

Feline leukemia virus – This virus can impact a cat’s immune system and lead to other diseases, as it is the most common cause of cancer in cats, making getting a vaccine for it vital.
Feline immunodeficiency virus – FIV is similar to HIV in humans, which can weaken the immune system.

If you’re unsure of which additional vaccines to give your furry friend, be sure to connect with your vet! They should know your cat’s medical history and can make suggestions based on their needs.

Vaccines Required for Boarding Your Dog or Cat at Pet Palace

Pet Palace wants to keep all pets within our facility safe and healthy, which is why we require proof of certain vaccines as a qualification for boarding. This prevents the spreading of contagious diseases between pets, encourages herd immunity, ensures compliance with legal requirements, and provides peace of mind for pet owners like you!

Before boarding your dog or cat at Pet Palace, please make sure your pet has the following vaccines: