Puppy Vaccine Schedule
Vaccinating your new puppy can protect them from certain life-threatening and even fatal diseases and viruses. It also helps stop the spread of these illnesses to other animals and sometimes humans.
While some vaccines are recommended for all dogs, others may be recommended based on where you live, your dog’s lifestyle and your dog's risks. Keep reading to learn more about a typical puppy vaccine schedule, including what shots puppies need and when they should be administered.
Table of contents
- What shots do puppies need?
- Puppy vaccination schedule
- Puppy vaccine schedule FAQs
- Summary of Money’s puppy vaccine schedule
What shots do puppies need?
The necessary shots for your puppy depend on factors such as location and risk of contracting certain diseases.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) splits vaccines into the categories of core and noncore vaccines. The AAHA recommends all dogs be vaccinated for the core vaccines. The noncore shots may be recommended based on your puppy’s risk factors, which you can determine with your veterinarian.
Puppy vaccination costs are typically under $100 each, but it can vary by vaccine. Standard pet insurance doesn’t cover the cost. However, many of the best pet insurance companies offer supplemental wellness plans you can purchase for preventative care coverage that includes vaccines.
Core vaccines
The AAHA recommends all dogs have the following vaccinations unless there are medical reasons not to vaccinate:
- Distemper combination - The distemper combination shot can include up to five vaccines in one, including canine adenovirus type 1 and 2, canine parainfluenza and canine parvovirus. However, it can vary based on what your vet offers. It may be abbreviated to DAPP, DA2PP or DHPP (the h standing for canine hepatitis).
- Rabies - Most states require all dogs to be vaccinated for rabies because it’s a deadly zoonotic disease, which means it can spread to other animals and humans. Once contracted — which happens through a bite from an infected animal — it’s almost always fatal to infected dogs. The rabies vaccine protects your dog and limits the disease’s spread.
Noncore vaccines
The AAHA considers the following list of dog vaccines “noncore,” which means they may be essential for some dogs depending on your dog’s location, lifestyle and risk. Always consult your veterinarian for guidance on how to protect your puppy best.
- Leptospirosis - Leptospirosis disease is caused by bacteria that can be found outside in water, plants and dirt. Infected animals can spread the bacteria through their urine. The leptospirosis vaccine (commonly called the “lepto vaccine”) may be recommended for dogs who often go outside.
- Lyme disease - Ticks can carry Lyme disease and spread it to other animals and humans by biting them. The disease can be found across the U.S. but is especially common in the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Coast.
- Bordetella - Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria can cause a highly contagious cold-like infection, sometimes called kennel cough or canine cough. The Bordetella vaccine is usually recommended for dogs frequently around other dogs, such as in doggie daycare, boarding or groomers.
- Influenza - Canine influenza — also called the dog flu — is another type of respiratory disease. The virus can spread between dogs, and severe cases can lead to pneumonia or death. Your vet may recommend the influenza vaccine for your puppy if they’re commonly in contact with other dogs.
- Rattlesnake toxoid - Rattlesnake bites can be extremely dangerous for dogs due to the snake’s venom. However, a Crotalus atrox (western diamondback rattlesnake) vaccine can help increase chances of survival. The southwestern states are typically high-risk areas. The vaccine doesn’t make your dog fully immune, nor does it protect against all snake bites, but it helps your dog produce antibodies that help neutralize the snake’s venom.
Puppy vaccination schedule
Puppies can typically receive their first vaccinations as early as six to eight weeks old. Vaccines with multiple doses may be administered two to four weeks apart, and most require annual booster shots.
Following the right puppy shot schedule by properly spacing apart multiple injections can help build up your dog’s long-term immunity to certain diseases and viruses, according to Dr. Dawn Filos, a small-animal veterinarian with a website (drdawnthepetvet.com) and an upcoming book.
Dr. Filos says, “Their immature immune systems need vaccines to help them fight disease as the protection they are born with from their vaccinated mothers wears off. This happens in stages, and the vaccine protocol is designed to keep them protected in the short term and then long term from infectious diseases that the vaccines are designed to fight against.”
The tables below include puppy vaccine timelines and dosage recommendations for core and noncore vaccines. This can vary based on your dog’s age, environment, health and the vaccine specifics (such as manufacturer and contents). Your vet can determine the best vaccine schedule for your puppy or adult dog.
Core puppy vaccines
Vaccine | Initial dosage schedule | Boosters |
|---|---|---|
Distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza (distemper combination vaccine) | 3 doses, 2-4 weeks apart (if puppy is older than 16 weeks, 2 doses may be recommended) | 1 year after the last dose, 3 years after that |
Rabies | 1 injection once puppy is at least 3 months of age (or as required by state law) | 1-3 years (depending on initial vaccine received and state law) |
Source: American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
Noncore puppy vaccines
Vaccine | Initial dosage schedule | Boosters |
|---|---|---|
Leptospirosis | 2 doses (starting when puppy is at least 12 weeks old), 2-4 weeks apart | 1 year after the last dose |
Lyme disease | 2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart | 1 year after the last dose |
Bordetella | Dosage depends on the vaccine type, consult your veterinarian | Annually or as needed |
Canine influenza | 2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart | 1 year after the last dose |
Crotalus atrox (Western diamondback rattlesnake) | Dosage and schedule depend on dog’s size and exposure risk, consult your veterinarian | Boosters depend on dog’s size and exposure risk, consult your veterinarian |
Source: American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
Whether you should vaccinate your dog for various diseases and viruses depends on their risk. Rabies is the only vaccine required by law, but veterinarians will recommend others based on your dog’s lifestyle and location.
Vaccinating your dog protects them against various illnesses that can cause serious health complications and even death. It can also limit expensive vet visits and treatment if your unvaccinated dog is infected with one of the viral diseases. Discuss your questions with your dog’s veterinarian.Summary of Money’s puppy vaccine schedule
A puppy’s specific vaccine schedule can vary based on where they live, the puppy’s health and other factors. Their first year will include initial vaccinations with multiple doses, and all subsequent years may consist of boosters to stay protected. Pet parents should discuss it with their veterinarian, who can help determine when to start shots, what shots to administer and what potential side effects can happen.
The AAHA lists of core and noncore vaccines are as follows:
- Core vaccines: Distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza (distemper combination vaccine), rabies
- Noncore vaccines: Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Bordetella, canine influenza, Crotalus atrox (western diamondback rattlesnake) toxoid
Vaccinating has numerous pet health benefits to protect your puppy against serious and sometimes fatal diseases and viruses. While pet insurance doesn’t cover vaccines, supplemental wellness plans typically do. If you want protection, shop around to compare coverage and costs from pet insurance providers.