Pet Health: Vaccinations

Pet Health: Vaccinations

Pet Health: Vaccinations

pet health

As a pet owner, pet health is always a top priority. With that in mind, vaccinations are an important part of keeping your pet healthy and safe from disease. Vaccinations help prepare your pet’s immune system to fight off infections and diseases and are an important part of preventative healthcare for animals.

It’s important to note that pets require booster shots once in a while. A lot of pet owners forget this (or may not realize this), which is why August was designated as National Pet Immunization Awareness Month.

Maintain Pet Health With Vaccinations

As a responsible pet owner, you want to do everything you can to maintain your pet’s health. That includes making sure they’re up-to-date on their vaccinations. Your pet’s vet will likely have a vaccination schedule for you to follow, but it’s always a good idea to be aware of the different types of vaccines available for your pet, as well as when they need them.

There are two types of vaccines: core and non-core. Core vaccines are those that are recommended for all animals, while non-core vaccines are recommended based on the lifestyle and risk factors of your pet.

The following are the core vaccines for dogs:

  • Rabies
  • Adenovirus
  • Distemper
  • Parvovirus

The following are the core vaccines for cats:

  • Rabies
  • Calicivirus
  • Herpesvirus
  • Panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper)

The following are some of the non-core vaccines for dogs:

  • Kennel cough
  • Lyme disease
  • Leptospirosis

The following are some of the non-core vaccines for cats:

  • Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) 
  • Bacterial upper respiratory infections

How Often Do You Need To Vaccinate Your Pets?

Both cats and dogs should be vaccinated at 14 to 16 weeks. Boosters should be given after one year, then every three years after that. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as the rabies vaccine. Your pet’s vet will be able to advise you on the best vaccination schedule for your individual pet.

For more pet health information or for health awareness tips in general, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.