Staying on top of your pet’s routine care can help to keep them healthy throughout their lives. Veterinary services like dental cleanings, vaccines, and flea and tick medication are all preventive care services that can help to keep your pet’s health. Pet parents often wonder about the cost of these services. This blog will provide a guide on dog vaccinations to help pet parents understand which vaccines their pets need, how often, and the estimated cost of each vaccine.
How Much Are Dog Vaccines? A Comprehensive Guide to Costs in 2024
Generally, pet parents can expect to pay between $20 - $60 per vaccine, but please keep in mind that there are various factors that can affect the cost of a vaccine3.
What Affects the Cost of Dog Vaccines?
Some of the most common factors that can affect the cost of your dog’s vaccines include:
Type of Vaccine: Not all vaccines are required, and costs can vary depending on whether or not the vaccine your dog is receiving is a “core vaccination” or not.
Location: Veterinary costs can change depending on where your vet is located.
Type of Clinic: Costs are typically higher at a private practice vs. a low-cost clinic or shelter. If you are looking for low-cost pet care, research your local Humane Society or shelters and inquire about whether they offer veterinary services.
Bundle Deals: Some vets offer bundle prices if your pet is being vaccinated multiple core vaccinations at the same time. Talk to your vet about if they offer bundle prices.
What Vaccines Do Dogs Need?
Vaccines for dogs can fall into 2 categories: core vaccinations and non-core vaccinations.
Core Vaccinations: Rabies and DA2PPv are both common core vaccines3. Your pet will need to receive and stay updated on these vaccines.
Non-core Vaccinations: Your vet may recommend your pet be vaccinated against a few other diseases based on their lifestyle and location. Non-core vaccines include shots to protect your pet against Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza, and Bordetella, also known as kennel cough3.
How Much is a 5-in-1 Vaccine for Dogs?
A 5-in-1 vaccine like the DA2PPv can cost between $20 - $603. The DA2PP vaccine is a 5-in-1 shot that protects your pet against distemper, canine hepatitis, canine adenovirus, canine parainfluenza and canine parvovirus3. Your pet will need to receive this vaccine annually. Bundling core vaccinations can help decrease the cost of dog vaccines, helping to make routine vet bills more affordable to pet parents.
How Often Does My Dog Need to be Vaccinated?
How often your pet will need to be vaccinated changes as they get older. Puppies typically receive multiple rounds of vaccines in their first year of life to help build their immunity1. Most adult dogs only need to update their vaccines every 1- 3 years2. For specific questions regarding the best vaccine schedule for your pet, contact your vet. They will be able to determine the best vaccine schedule for your pet, and which non-core vaccinations (if any) may be recommended for your dog.
Are Dog Vaccinations Expensive?
While the cost of dog vaccines can be expensive, it’s important to remember that they help protect our pets against diseases that can be much more expensive to treat, and in some cases deadly. Making sure that your pet stays up to date with their vaccines can help provide peace of mind knowing that your companion isn’t at risk for these conditions. For pet parents who are concerned about the cost of dog vaccines there are a few different ways to help bring down the cost - continue reading to learn more.
How Can I Save on the Cost of Dog Vaccines?
Here are a few suggestions for how to lower the cost of dog vaccines.
Low-cost clinics: Vising a low-cost clinic like your local Humane Society or a mobile clinic is a great way to receive veterinary care for your pet at a lower cost. Look up low-cost clinics in your local area before your pet’s next veterinary checkup.
Pet insurance with wellness coverage: While pet insurance base plans do not cover the cost of routine care services like vaccines, many providers offer preventive or wellness add-ons that offer coverage for services like vaccines and dental cleanings for a small fee. Take your pet to the vet, pay the vet bill, and then submit a claim to your pet insurance provider to receive cash back on covered vet bills.
Bundling vaccines: Bundling vaccines can also be a great way to reduce costs. Some vets provide discounts when you vaccinate your pet against more than one core vaccination at the same appointment. Other vets may offer discounts to pet parents bringing in more than one pet at a time. Speak with your vet about these options and inquire if they offer any of these discounts.
Read more: Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Conclusion
While vaccinating your dog can be expensive, it’s important to remember the protection vaccines offer our pets throughout their lives, and the peace of mind they can bring to pet parents. Remember, there are multiple ways to help reduce the cost of vaccinating your dog. You can visit a low-cost clinic, sign up for a pet insurance policy with a wellness add-on, or talk to your vet about bundling vaccines.
Related Readings
How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost? (n.d.-a). In 2024 Price Guide. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://www.latimes.com/compare-deals/insurance/guides/dog-vaccinations-cost#dog-and-puppy-vaccination-costs
How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost? (n.d.-b). In MarketWatch - Guides. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/pet-insurance/dog-vaccinations-cost/
How Much Are Dog Shots? (n.d.). In Money. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://money.com/how-much-do-dog-vaccinations-cost/
