Whether your pet is an outdoorsy adventure-seeker or more of a cuddly couch potato, there are certain vaccines that your veterinarian is likely to recommend.
Emily Singler, V.M.D.
Veterinary Content Specialist, American Animal Hospital Association
These vaccines aren’t just crucial to your pet’s health, but to your family’s health, and even your community’s. By vaccinating our pets against preventable diseases, we create a safer, healthier world for everyone.
The American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) canine and feline vaccination guidelines are widely regarded as the most accurate and timely reference for vaccine recommendations. A panel of experts in veterinary medicine and vaccine science came together to bring veterinary teams and pet owners the most up-to-date and science-backed information on the best protocols to protect dogs from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Here’s what you need to know about vaccinating your pet, straight from the guidelines.
Core vaccines: what they are
While some vaccines are only essential for pets with certain lifestyles and risk factors, others are considered core, meaning every dog or cat should receive them.
For dogs, the following vaccines are considered core:
- Canine distemper virus (CDV)
- Canine adenovirus (CAV)
- Canine parvovirus (CPV)
- Leptospirosis
- Rabies
For cats, the core vaccines are:
- Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1)
- Feline calicivirus (FCV)
- Feline panleukopenia (FPV)
- Rabies
- Feline leukemia (FeLV) for cats younger than 1 year old
Why are these vaccines so crucial? In some cases, like rabies, it’s to protect both animal and human health. Rabies is fatal to people and animals; there have been 14 potential U.S. rabies outbreaks in 20 states so far this year. The fact that you don’t encounter diseases like leptospirosis or panleukopenia regularly is precisely why vaccination is so important. These diseases aren’t common because vaccines work.
Noncore vaccines
Noncore vaccines may be recommended based on your pet’s lifestyle, location, and other risk factors, and could be just as essential as core vaccines for your pet. Your veterinarian can advise you on which noncore vaccines your pet may need, including:
For dogs:
- Lyme disease
- Bordetella
- Parainfluenza
- Canine influenza
For cats:
- Feline leukemia (FeLV) for cats older than one year
- Chlamydia felis
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
Not every pet will need every vaccine, but, for example, dogs who board in a kennel or go to daycare can be at higher risk for respiratory diseases like Bordetella and canine influenza. Dogs who hike with their owners in the woods may need protection from Lyme disease. Cats who spend time outside should be protected against feline leukemia.
Other factors that determine which vaccines are needed include your pet’s age, health, genetics, whether they travel, and more.
What to expect
You love your pet, and it’s understandable that you might have concerns about the risks of vaccination, especially with all the misinformation around vaccines. If you have specific concerns, please discuss them with your veterinarian.
It’s not unusual for a pet to be more tired than usual, show signs of soreness, or not want to eat as much the day they receive their vaccines. In fact, this is just a sign that the vaccine is doing its job to stimulate your pet’s immune system! Allergic reactions are uncommon and usually easily treatable if they happen.
The bottom line is that vaccines have a high degree of proven safety with a low incidence of complications, and they can even save your pet’s life! Working with your veterinarian to create a personalized health plan for your pet, including the right vaccines for their lifestyle, is the best way to ensure your pet remains healthy and happy.
