It’s important to make sure that your puppy or dog gets all of their shots, and that you stay up-to-date with their vaccines after the initial poke. In this article, we’ll take you through a typical dog vaccination schedule and answer common questions like: “How often do dogs get shots?” “What shots do dogs need?” And, “When do puppies get rabies shots?” Plus, many more.
Why Do Dogs Need Vaccines?
Dogs need vaccines throughout their lifetime to stay healthy and prevent the spread of diseases. Dog vaccines work exactly like human vaccines. So, when your dog or puppy gets vaccinated against a disease, they'll receive a shot that contains antigens that stimulate their immune system by simulating an organism that causes disease. This trains your pup's immune system to recognize the organism — so that if they're ever exposed to it in real life, it will be easier for them to fight it off.
Why You Should Keep Your Dog’s Vaccines Up-to Date
By keeping your canine pal up-to-date on their shots, you're protecting them from serious, painful, and often fatal diseases.
When your dog is a puppy, they'll go through a series of core-vaccinations and additional non-core vaccinations (if recommended by your vet) from the ages of around 8 weeks to 16 weeks. It's important to stay on track with the puppy shot schedule so you don't have to restart vaccinations if too much time has lapsed.
If you're not sure whether or not your dog needs any booster shots, speak with your vet. They can review your pup's medical records, and confirm their booster due dates.
Understanding Core vs. Non-Core Vaccinations
Every puppy or dog should get the core vaccines that protect them against the most prevalent, dangerous, and contagious diseases in pups: canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine hepatitis, rabies, and more.
Additional shots, called non-core vaccines, may also be recommended by your vet. These shots are based on factors like your dog’s breed or where you live. See lists of core and non-core vaccines in the following section.
Core vaccines
Every puppy or dog should receive these vaccines and boosters as needed:
- Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) Vaccine: Protects against the highly contagious and potentially deadly distemper virus.
- Canine Adenovirus (CAV-1 and CAV-2) Vaccine: Shields against adenovirus, which targets the liver, spleen, lungs, and eyes.
- Parainfluenza Vaccine: Provides protection from a virus that causes serious trachea and lung infections.
- Parvovirus Vaccine: Guards against the highly contagious parvovirus, which causes life-threatening gastrointestinal illness.
- Rabies Virus Vaccine: Prevents your dog from contracting rabies, a highly contagious disease that is fatal and can spread to humans.
Non-Core Vaccines
Non-core vaccines (also called lifestyle vaccines) are additional shots often recommended to provide extra protection for your pup. Whether or not your dog needs these vaccines is based on specific risk factors — like geographical location, health conditions, and lifestyle.
Talk with your vet to find out which (if any) of these non-core vaccines your dog needs:
- Leptospirosis Vaccine: Protects against leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can cause kidney and liver failure, bleeding disorders, and — in severe cases — respiratory difficulties. Leptospirosis can be passed from dogs to humans. This shot is often recommended for dogs who spend time in rural areas, the woods, or have access to rivers and streams.
- Bordetella Vaccine: Protects against kennel cough. This shot is often recommended if your dog visits dog parks or spends time at a daycare or boarding facility.
- Canine Lyme Vaccine: Prevents transmission of bacteria known as Borrelia Burgdorferi from ticks.
- Canine Influenza Vaccine (H3N8 and H3N2): Protects your puppy or dog from contracting the flu from an infected dog.
- Rattlesnake Toxoid: Recommended for puppies or dogs over four months of age that live in areas where they are at risk of rattlesnake encounters.
Puppy Vaccine Schedule
Puppy vaccinations are scheduled every two to four weeks until your puppy is 16 weeks old, helping them build up immunity as the antibodies they received from their mom wane. In high-risk areas, extending vaccinations to 20 weeks offers your puppy extra safety.
Making sure that you stick to the recommended puppy vaccine schedule is vital for building up your puppy’s defense against potentially-fatal diseases, and setting the foundation for a healthy, happy life. Here’s a typical puppy vaccination schedule:
|
Age |
Core Vaccines |
Non-Core Vaccines |
|
6 to 8 Weeks |
|
|
|
10 to 12 Weeks |
|
|
|
14 to 16 Weeks |
|
|
*DHPP is also known as the 5-in-1 vaccine for puppies, which protects against five viruses: Distemper, Adenovirus types 1 and 2, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus.
Adult Dog Vaccine Schedule
Adult dogs need booster shots for core vaccines every one to three years. This helps your pup maintain their immunity against key diseases as they age. The specific timeline for when your dog needs their boosters is based on the vaccine, your dog's health, and local regulations.
Non-core vaccine boosters are given as needed, based on your dog's lifestyle, location, and their risk of exposure to specific illnesses. If you’re confused about when your pup needs booster shots, talk with your vet.
|
Age |
Core Vaccines |
Non-Core Vaccines |
|
12 to 16 Months |
|
|
|
Every 1 to 3 Years |
|
|
Potential Side Effects of Dog Vaccines
Just like humans, some dogs can experience side effects to certain vaccines or medications. Side effects from dog vaccines are typically mild and no cause for alarm. However, if your dog’s symptoms do not resolve quickly, or if they include any of the severe reactions listed below, you should contact your vet right away.
Mild Reactions
- Mild lethargy
- Swelling and discomfort in the injection area
- Temporary loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
Rare Reactions
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Severe Reactions
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives
- Extreme lethargy
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Seizures
- Swelling on the face, nose, or around the eyes
- Temporary loss of appetite
If you notice any of these severe symptoms in your dog, contact your vet immediately.
What If I Don’t Know My Dog’s Vaccination History?
Whenever you adopt a new puppy or dog, be sure to request a copy of their immunization records to keep on hand. However, if their records aren’t available, consult with your vet.
Your vet may be able to run an antibody test, called a titer test, to figure out if your dog requires additional shots, or if they need to start the vaccination process over again.
What is a Titer Test?
While dog vaccines are very safe, some pup parents may not know their dog’s vaccination history, or may be concerned about providing boosters to their dog. In this case, you could consider a titer test. Titers may also be required for international travel to some countries.
A titer test is a procedure for testing and measuring the amount of antibodies your dog has in their blood for a specific disease. Titers are accomplished by repeatedly diluting a sample of your pup’s blood, then exposing the diluted blood to an antigen. Titer tests can help measure if your dog needs to be revaccinated, or if they can skip their booster.
If you're deciding between boosters and titers, speak to your vet. They can provide advice on the pros and cons of each, and make specific recommendations based on your dog's lifestyle and health.
Puppy and Dog Vaccines FAQs
How Much Do Dog Vaccines Cost?
Vaccinations are typically administered during an exam at the vet, and range between $20 and $85 per shot.
The cost of each shot depends on where you live and whether your pup is receiving core or non-core vaccines. Initial puppy vaccination costs are generally higher than those of an adult dog, since puppies require more shots during their first year of life.
Animal shelters often offer low-cost vaccine clinics you can check out — although they might not offer all of the shots that your pup needs.
What Is The 5-in-1 Vaccine For Dogs?
Commonly known as the DHPP vaccine, the 5-in-1 vaccination protects pups against five highly contagious, potentially fatal viruses in dogs: Canine Distemper, Adenovirus types 1 and 2, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus.
What is the 7-in-1 Vaccine For Dogs?
The 7-in-1 vaccine for dogs protects pups from the five viruses in the 5-in-1 vaccine, plus two more: Canine Distemper, Adenovirus types 1 and 2, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, and Coronavirus.
How Should I Care for My Dog After They Get Vaccinated?
After getting shots, your dog should rest in a calm and quiet place. Their immune system is working hard to protect their body from the new vaccine, so you don’t want to overexert them. Feed them a high-quality dog food to support their immune system and overall health, and make sure they have plenty of water.
Getting Your Puppy or Dog Vaccinated
If your puppy is of vaccination age, then we recommend getting them vaccinated as soon as possible — and keeping up with the recommended dog vaccine schedule throughout their lifetime. Many dog owners breathe a sigh of relief once their pups are up-to-date on their shots, knowing that it’s now safer for them to socialize with other dogs.
If you have any concerns about your pup’s shots or questions about their dog vaccine schedule, don’t hesitate to contact your vet. They vaccinate pets day in and day out — so they’re used to fielding questions about side effects, cost, after care, and more.
After getting your dog their shots, why not reward them with a delicious treat? Jinx Beef Training Treats and Chicken Jerky Bites are perfect for rewarding your freshly-vaccinated pup. Besides making tasty rewards, our treats are free of fillers and artificial flavors.
If you’re also looking for a good dog food, we have a range to choose from — including premium Grass-Fed Beef Kibble and Cage-Free Chicken Puppy Food to support your best friend’s health at every stage of their life.
At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love. Get started with our expertly-formulated kibble or wet food.