The Importance of Vaccinations for Puppies and Kittens
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is exciting! One of your most important responsibilities is making sure they get the right vaccinations to protect them from serious, often deadly diseases.
Why Vaccinations Matter
Vaccinations not only protect your pet—they also prevent the spread of contagious diseases to other animals and people.
Core Vaccines for Puppies
- Distemper – Protects against fever, respiratory, and neurological illness.
- Parvovirus – Prevents a highly contagious and often fatal GI disease.
- Adenovirus – Guards against infectious canine hepatitis.
- Rabies – Required by law, protects against a deadly virus transmissible to humans.
Core Vaccines for Kittens
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis – Prevents upper respiratory infections.
- Calicivirus – Protects against oral and respiratory diseases.
- Panleukopenia – Shields against feline distemper.
- Rabies – Essential for both feline and human safety.
Typical Vaccination Timeline
6–8 weeks → First vaccines begin
10–12 weeks → Booster shots
14–16 weeks → Final boosters + Rabies
1 year → Annual booster and wellness exam
Beyond Core Vaccines
Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, your vet may suggest non-core vaccines such as Bordetella for dogs in daycare/boarding or Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) for outdoor cats.