Vaccinations are one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your dog or cat from serious, and sometimes fatal, diseases. Just like children, puppies and kittens need a series of early vaccines to build immunity, and adult pets need regular boosters to stay protected throughout their lives.
Why Vaccines Matter
Many of the diseases vaccines guard against — such as parvovirus, distemper, and rabies — have no reliable cure once a pet is infected. Vaccinating is far safer, less stressful, and far less expensive than treating these illnesses after the fact. It also protects the wider community: rabies is a serious public health risk, and keeping your pet current on vaccines helps prevent its spread to other animals and people.
Core Vaccines Every Pet Should Have
- Dogs: Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, and Adenovirus (often combined in a DHPP shot)
- Cats: Rabies, Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia), Feline Herpesvirus, and Calicivirus (FVRCP)
Depending on your pet's lifestyle, risk of exposure, and where you live, your veterinarian may also recommend non-core vaccines such as Bordetella, Leptospirosis, or Feline Leukemia.
Sticking to a Schedule
Puppies and kittens typically need a series of vaccines every 3-4 weeks starting around 6-8 weeks of age, with boosters continuing into adulthood. After the initial series, most adult pets need boosters every one to three years, depending on the vaccine and your pet's individual needs.
At Mobile Pet Vet, we bring vaccinations and wellness exams right to your doorstep, so keeping your companion protected is one less thing to worry about. If you're not sure what your pet is due for, contact us and we'll help you build the right schedule.