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Has Your Dog Had All His Shots?
Having pets is a lot like having kids. As a dog owner, you have certain responsibilities, but the rewards far outweigh your obligations. For example, you have to keep up with the dog shots required. It’s not only a mandate by law, but it also keeps your dog happy, healthy and safe.
Abiding by the law means that when you take your pooch to get groomed, attend doggie daycare or stay overnight at the kennel, you must have all of your dog’s shots and paperwork in order. Nearly all major cities require that these pet-friendly facilities retain a hard copy of your pet’s vaccinations on file. This ensures that your pet — and all the other animals these businesses serve — remain healthy.
Dog Shots Required by Law
Your puppy should begin vaccinations between six to 16 weeks of age. While your city and state government may have specific mandates on the dog shots required, the core vaccinations include:
- Canine distemper
- Canine parvovirus
- Parainfluenza virus
- Rabies virus
You should however also be aware of any additional requirements for your area. All states with the exception of Hawaii require a current rabies vaccination until your veterinarian provides documentation stating that your dog no longer requires the shot. This is typically the case if your canine is older than 19 or is one of the few breeds that’s allergic to the vaccine, such as German shepherds, which have a documented sensitivity to Ivermectin.
Some Cities Have Additional Requirements
New York City has always been a trendsetter in dog laws that protect public health. So it’s no surprise they lead the way on pet vaccination requirements. The city issues a $1,000 fine for dog owners who aren’t in compliance with the laws and regulations of pet ownership. That gives you an incentive to learn how to maintain all your pet’s records. The law specifically states:
“No dog shall be accepted at a boarding kennel, business or establishment unless the owner of such dog provides proof to such facility, including but not limited to a health certificate, a bill or receipt from a veterinarian or other documentation acceptable to the department, that such animal has been vaccinated against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvo during the previous three years and Bordetella during the previous six months…”
The additional dog shots required for Bordetella is unusual because many cities and states don’t yet mandate it by name. Bordetella is most commonly known as kennel cough. It’s a highly contagious airborne bacterium and easily spread in an enclosed space. This type of upper respiratory infection can actually destroy the lining of your dog’s trachea and has actually caused whooping cough in humans.
International Travel
If you’re planning to travel outside of the United States with your little buddy, you need to be aware of the specific dog shots required in the destination country, as well as what types of documentation they accept. If you’re traveling from a rabies-free country, you don’t even need proof of a rabies vaccination. Rabies-free countries include:
- Australia
- Finland
- Japan
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
The United States isn’t a rabies-free nation, so if you’re traveling with your pet from the U.S. to Canada, they require proper proof of vaccination. Otherwise, your pet will be vaccinated right at the border before being allowed in. Some countries have quarantine regulations for animals entering the country.
If you’re traveling with your dog, you must you have him vaccinated for rabies and you must possess a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. This paperwork must clearly identify your pet and describe his physical appearance. To send your dog ahead without you, check all airline regulations, as well as the laws of the destination. At the least, you’ll need a complete veterinarian health certificate documenting all the dog shots required, including:
- Parvoviru
- Distemper
- Parainfluenza virus
- Hepatitis
Recommended Vaccinations at a Glance
You may lose track of your pet’s vaccination schedule in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here is an outline of dog shots required and the ages at which they should be administered:
- 6–8 weeks
- DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus)
- Canine influenza virus H3N8
- Canine influenza virus H3N2
- 8 weeks
- Bordetella
- Leptospira
- Lyme
- 8–10 weeks
- Canine influenza virus H3N8
- Canine influenza virus H3N2
- 10–12 weeks
- DHPP
- Leptospira
- Lyme
- 12 weeks or older
- Rabies
- 14–16 weeks
- DHPP
- Within a year of last dose
- DHPP
- Rabies
- Every year
- Bordetella
- Leptospira
- Lyme
- Canine influenza virus H3N8
- Canine influenza virus H3N2
- Every 1 to 3 years
- Rabies
- Every 3 years
- DHPP
Dog Shot Considerations
You have to wait for your dog to be old enough to receive the dog shots required by your city or state. But many pet owners don’t meet their forever friends while they’re still pups. If you adopt an older dog, have your vet check him out to make sure he doesn’t suffer from a compromised immune system.
Some of today’s most popular breeds are so small that receiving their vaccinations too close together can increase their risk of side effects. In these cases, your vet may wish to wait to give your pet any non-core vaccinations. Always follow your veterinarian’s advice when it comes to required shots.
Positive Pet Parenting
Staying up-to-date on all of the dog shots required in your city and state ensure your pet’s continued health. It’s part of being a responsible pet parent. At least the cost of the vaccinations is mitigated by the way they’re administered a few at a time.
Taking care of your dog’s health through vaccinations means as much as feeding him good food and making sure he gets his exercise. And while you have to keep the vaccination records for all the dog shots required, don’t feel overwhelmed. Just keep your paperwork altogether. It’s for the good of your dog and for the good of all the other dogs out there.
