The last two years have made ‘vaccination’ the center of almost every important conversation we’ve had. Now more than ever, we know how important a vaccine can be to ensure the health and wellbeing of the ones we love, including our pets.

What are vaccines?
Just like vaccines for humans, they help protect your pet from catching serious illnesses, and recover faster, if they do get infected. If you are a new pet parent trying to figure this out on your own, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. You’ll find everything you need to know about your pet’s vaccination needs here.

How do vaccines help my pet?
You may ask why are vaccines important for my pet, or how do they protect my pet from getting infected? Vaccines are injections that contain antigens, basically weaker versions of a disease-causing pathogen. When your pet gets vaccinated, it triggers their body to produce antibodies and helps them build immunity against the pathogen. Don’t worry, they don’t actually cause the disease, they just ensure that in case your pet does get exposed to the real disease, their immune system will recognise and be prepared to fight it.

In case you’re wondering if your pet needs to be vaccinated even though they don't step out of the house often, the answer is yes, absolutely. Even though your pet might spend a lot of time at home, vaccines are still extremely important. They are a preventative solution to prepare your pet’s body to defend itself from highly contagious diseases like Canine Distemper, Parvovirus infection, Rabies and other respiratory tract infections.  

Did you know vaccinating your pet could be beneficial for you?
Yes, pet vaccinations are important for your little buddy’s health, but they are also beneficial for you. Let’s explain. Some diseases that your pet can contract are zoonotic in nature, that is, they can be transmitted from animals to people. These diseases include Rabies and Leptospirosis, which can pose a serious threat to human health. While vaccinations can help keep diseases at bay for your pet, they also protect you, so you could nurture a healthy and happy family with your pet.

What vaccines do I need to get for my pet? 

Now that we’ve talked about why vaccinations are important, you might be wondering what vaccinations your pet needs. Let’s break it down for you. It doesn’t matter if your family has a cat or a dog, there are two types of vaccines that you should know about.

1. Core vaccines, which are vital and highly recommended by vets since they protect against severe and contagious diseases.

2. Non-Core vaccines, which are optional and are often recommended depending on the pet’s environment and interactions. One such example is the Kennel cough vaccine that can be given to pets who frequently board kennels.
   
   Additionally, some vaccines are suggested based on the pet’s age, much like for human babies. 

Dog and Cat Vaccinations: 

This guide is the standard vaccination chart you could follow to create an effective vaccination schedule for your pet. But always remember that it’s best to consult a veterinary professional so that you are able to provide the safest and most suitable treatment for your pooch.