Written by Hana Darnell

Vaccines are essential to your pet’s health, protecting them from a range of infectious diseases. For dogs, core vaccines guard against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, and Rabies. For cats, core vaccines protect against Panleukopenia, Calicivirus, Feline Leukemia, and Rabies.

Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, additional vaccines may be recommended, like Bordetella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, and Lyme.

Puppies and kittens typically start their vaccinations at 8 weeks, with booster shots given until they’re about 16 weeks old. After that, most pets need annual or triennial boosters, depending on the vaccine.

Establishing care with a general practitioner will help keep your pet on track with their vaccinations, ensuring they stay healthy and protected.