Your dog’s health depends on you for protection, and vaccinations play an essential role in that promise.
Vaccinations are one of the most important in keeping your pet’s life safe, healthy, and to protect your pet from dangerous illness. Whether you are living in a busy city or a quiet town, it is important to keep your dog’s vaccines up to date, which ensures a long, healthy, and happy life together. In this blog, you will get complete guidance on which vaccines your dog really needs and why it matters.
Why Vaccinations Matter for Dogs
your dog’s immune system is stimulated by vaccines, which work to recognize and fight specific diseases. This is not about avoiding diseases; it’s all about prevention. There are many diseases that dogs can catch, such as rabies and parvovirus; these are the life threatening diseases that can spread rapidly without protection. Vaccinating your dog not only protects them but it also prevents them and helps to safeguard your family and community.
Here at My Honest Paw, we can deeply understand how pet parents care for their furry family members. That’s why we emphasize vaccines as a core part of preventive pet care.
Core Vaccines — Non-Negotiable Protection
Mostly core vaccines are strongly recommended for all the dogs regardless of lifestyle. These vaccines protect against diseases that are:
Common in the environment
Highly contagious
Potentially fatal
Easily spread between dogs
The main core vaccines that every dog should receive are listed below:
Rabies Vaccine:
Rabies is one of the deadly viruses that affects the nervous system and the dog, and it also gets transmitted to humans. In many regions, rabies vaccines are legally required because of its serious public health impact.
Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly dangerous disease which affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Without vaccination, it can be fatal.
Parvovirus
Parvo causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, especially in young puppies, and can be deadly without prompt care.
Adenovirus (Canine Hepatitis)
This virus affects vital organs such as the liver and can cause long-term health problems.
Because these diseases are so serious and can spread easily between dogs, vaccines against them are considered the foundation of responsible dog healthcare.
Non-Core Vaccines — Based on Lifestyle & Risk
While core vaccines are essential for all dogs, non-core vaccines are given based on your dog’s lifestyle, environment, and specific risk factors. These are also sometimes called optional or lifestyle vaccines because not every dog needs all of them.
Some common non-core vaccines include:
Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
Recommended for dogs that interact with other dogs frequently — such as those who go to dog parks, daycare, grooming salons, or boarding facilities.
Leptospirosis
This bacterial disease can occur in dogs exposed to wildlife or contaminated water/soil. It’s especially relevant in rural or outdoor environments.
Lyme Disease
If ticks are common in your area, the Lyme vaccine can help protect dogs against this tick-borne illness.
Canine Influenza
Similar to the human flu, this respiratory infection can spread easily in places where dogs gather.
Non-core vaccines aren’t mandatory for all dogs, but they may be highly recommended depending on your dog’s daily life and exposure to other animals.
When Should Dogs Get Vaccinated?
A proper vaccine schedule maximizes protection while minimizing risk:
Puppies: Start their first vaccines at around 6–8 weeks of age. After that, boosters are given every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks old.
Adult Dogs: After the initial vaccine series, adult dogs will typically receive periodic boosters based on the vaccine type and your veterinarian’s advice. Some vaccines may be annual, while others may be every three years or longer.
Your vet will recommend a schedule tailored to your dog’s age, health status, and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Vaccines are a cornerstone of preventive pet care. They protect your dog from dangerous diseases and help keep your community safe. At MyHonestPaw, we’re here to support you with expert guidance and compassionate care as you make the best health decisions for your dog.
Schedule a vaccination appointment today and give your dog the protection they deserve.