Essential Vaccination Schedule for Your Dog or Cat
Always consult with your veterinarian to create a personalized plan, as recommendations can vary based on your pet's age, health, lifestyle, and geographic location. Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines Core Vaccines: Essential for all pets due to the severity and transmissibility of the diseases. Non-Core (Lifestyle) Vaccines: Recommended based on risk factors like outdoor access, boarding, or regional prevalence. For Dogs Core Vaccines: DA2PP (DHPP) – Distemper, Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza: Why: Protects against severe, often fatal, viral diseases. Puppy Schedule: Every 3-4 weeks starting at 6-8 weeks old, until 16-20 weeks old. Adult Booster: 1 year after the last puppy shot, then typically every 3 years. Rabies: Why: Legally required, fatal zoonotic disease (transmissible to humans). Schedule: First vaccine at 12-16 weeks, booster in 1 year, then every 1 or 3 years as per local law and vaccine type. Common Non-Core Vaccines: Bordete...