A puppy can be one of the best additions to your home. Of course, let’s remind you that it’s also an excellent responsibility to have. If you’re already a pet parent, you understand this completely. For new pet parents, you may have questions and be worried about what to do next. That’s normal, and a veterinarian is always ready to answer any questions or address concerns you might have about raising a puppy.
Nevertheless, one of the most important things is their shot schedule. At what point do they get their first shots? Vaccinations are highly essential for protecting your puppy against fatal diseases as well as stimulating their immune system. Following a puppy shot schedule is critical, and by doing so, you can ensure your puppy lives a healthier life even well into adulthood.
Why Are Puppy Vaccines Important?
When puppies are born, some of the immunity is provided to them by the mother’s milk (known as colostrum). However, the material immunity is not permanent and usually tapers off anywhere from the 6th to 16th week of their life. At that point, puppies become more vulnerable to infections and diseases. For this reason, a puppy shot schedule will need to be put together so that protection is provided during what is the most critical window.
There are plenty of vaccinations that will immunize puppies from numerous diseases. They include:
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
- Rabies
- Canine hepatitis
- Bordetella (also known as “kennel cough”)
Vaccinations protect your puppy from contracting these diseases while also preventing the spread to other animals and humans. With this in mind, consulting with a vet as soon as you can about setting up a shot schedule will be crucial.
What Is the Difference Between Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines?
Veterinarians categorize dog vaccines into two different types: core and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are essential for all puppies, regardless of their breed, size, or lifestyle. Meanwhile, non-core is completely optional but may be recommended depending on certain factors such as their environment, lifestyle, and possible risk of exposure. Here are the following vaccines in their necessary categories:
Core Vaccines:
- DA2P (also called DHPP): Formulated to protect puppies against Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza.
- Rabies: In most jurisdictions, it is legally required for your dog to be protected against rabies, especially since it is a fatal virus that can be spread to other animals and humans.
Non-Core Vaccines:
- Bordetella bronchiseptica: This is known to cause kennel cough. The vaccine against it is recommended if you typically plan on using dog boarding facilities if you are traveling.
- Leptospirosis Vaccine: A bacterial infection that can be found in water or soil. If your dog is known to drink from puddles or dig outdoors regularly, this may be a good non-core vaccine for them.
- Lyme Disease: Transmitted through ticks in wooded or rural areas.
- Canine Influenza: If they are in high-contact environments like boarding or daycares, this can be an excellent vaccine for dogs to have.
What Is the Typical Puppy Shot Schedule (by Age)
On average, a puppy's shot schedule should begin right around 6 to 8 weeks of age. It should include a series of booster shots every few weeks until they are 16 to 20 weeks old. Let’s provide you with a detailed breakdown of the schedule you should follow (core vaccines will be bolded):
6 - 8 Weeks Old
- DA2P/DHPP (1st dose)
- Bordetella (optional, but may be recommended if you plan on boarding them)
10 - 12 Weeks Old
- DA2P/DHPP (2nd dose)
- Leptospirosis (1st dose)
- Lyme (1st dose)
- Canine influenza (1st dose)
14 - 16 Weeks Old
- DA2P/DHPP (3rd dose)
- Leptospirosis (2nd dose)
- Lyme (2nd dose)
- Canine influenza (2nd dose)
- Rabies (1st dose)
12 - 16 Months Old (Booster Year)
- DA2P/DHPP booster
- Rabies booster
- Boosters for any non-core vaccines (if any have been received)
You may be wondering why your dog is getting so many booster shots. The answer is how their immune system develops. As mentioned, maternal antibodies tend to wear off at around 6 weeks of life. If vaccines are provided earlier, they may not be as effective since the maternal antibodies are still present in the puppy’s body.
Not only that, repeated doses or boosters ensure immunity once those natural antibodies phase out. Boosters can reinforce the immune system’s ability to recognize the threat and respond to it effectively. However, it is not recommended that you skip out on boosters or missed doses, as this can make a puppy vulnerable to such diseases.
Be Sure to Keep Track of Your Puppy’s Vaccinations
It is always recommended that you stay on top of your puppy's shot schedule. While it may be a challenge at first, even in the puppy’s first few months, you can be able to make sure they stay up to date. To help keep things simple, let’s take a look at the following suggestions for pet parents (especially new ones):
- Use a Vaccination Chart or App: You can keep track of everything using a chart provided by your veterinarian. If you want to go digital, there are reminders or apps that you can use.
- Schedule Your Next Visit Before Leaving the Vet: Make sure the appointment is set 3 to 4 weeks apart to ensure spacing.
- Request a Printed Vaccine Record: This will be useful when you are traveling with your dog. It also applies to training, grooming, and boarding requirements that need to be met.
What Should You Expect After Puppy Vaccinations?
While puppies can handle their shots well, it may be a good idea to monitor them afterward, especially if there is the possibility of mild side effects. Here’s what to look out for:
- Mild fatigue or sleepiness (may last a single day)
- Slight swelling or tenderness, especially at the site of injection
- Low-grade fever
- Temporary loss of appetite
Keep in mind that serious reactions (while rare) may occur. This can include facial swelling, trouble breathing, and vomiting. If these symptoms are present, contact your vet as soon as possible. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to give them a lot of love and rest around the time when they get their shots. Not to mention, keeping things low-key is highly recommended.
Can My Puppy Go Outside Before Completing a Shot Schedule?
While socialization is crucial for puppies, it may be a good idea to make sure safety is a priority when they’re out and about. This means your puppy should be in low-risk environments like the backyard instead of high-traffic pet areas like dog parks. If you know people with fully vaccinated dogs, arrange playdates (especially if their dogs are good with others).
After your puppy has completed their core vaccines (approximately 16 weeks), you may be able to allow them to explore more public spaces. However, it is important to play it safe if and when necessary.
Should I Worry About Deworming and Flea/Tick Prevention as Well?
Vaccines are a major part of a puppy's shot schedule. However, deworming and prevention from fleas and ticks are completely different. Nevertheless, it’s still part of the plan to keep them safe. Your vet will recommend the following approaches starting at the appropriate ages, such as:
- Deworming at 2 to 3 weeks old and repeated every few weeks
- Flea and tick prevention starting at 8 weeks
- Heartworm prevention starting at 6 to 8 weeks
These treatments can be coordinated with your puppy’s vaccine schedule. This will make each vet visit as efficient as possible.
What Do You Do When Your Puppy Becomes an Adult?
After your dog completes their puppy shot schedule, that’s where the schedule tends to change in terms of timing. Their boosters can be given to them annually or tri-annually, depending on factors such as state laws and vet recommendations. Typically, an adult vaccine schedule is structured like this:
- DA2PP/DHPP: Every 1 to 3 years
- Rabies Vaccination: Annually or every 3 years
- Non-Core Vaccines: As needed, depending on their lifestyle
Please note that your adult dog can still get vaccinated even if they have not been given shots as a puppy. For instance, if you adopt a dog and have no records, your vet can be able to put together a schedule that will allow the dog to catch up. If a dog misses a booster shot, this may depend on the amount of time that has passed. They may be administered the booster or be given a restart of the series.
Final Thoughts
A puppy's shot schedule is critical for their overall health. Be sure to follow it accordingly so they are up to date from start to finish. From there, it will help you segue into an adult vaccination schedule that may be a bit more lax in timing but still highly recommended to stick to. At Under the Weather, we make sure that your puppy’s health is always a priority, especially when it comes to the products that we offer to help promote a healthy lifestyle.
