New puppy parents work hard to prepare for their new arrival, buying beds, toys, food, training and grooming supplies, and puppy pens. But once the new arrival is brought home, questions often arise about their veterinary care, specifically a puppy’s vaccination schedule. Puppies receive multiple rounds of shots in their first year, requiring more vet visits than most adult dogs. This article provides a guide on puppy vaccinations, including a timeline and cost estimates.
What Vaccines do Puppies Need?
There are two categories puppy vaccines can fall into. Core vaccinations, and non-core vaccinations. Veterinarians highly recommend all puppies receive their five core vaccinations (Gascon).
Distemper
Adenovirus
Parvovirus
Parainfluenza
Rabies
Distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus vaccines are typically administered in one go through the DHPP or DAPP vaccine (Gascon). The DHPP vaccine costs between $20 - $60 per dose, while rabies vaccines cost between $20 - $30 per dose (Kelly).
Non-core vaccinations are optional but maybe recommended by your vet depending on the area where you live and your pet’s lifestyle (Gascon). The non-core vaccinations and their cost estimates are (Kelly):
Leptospirosis - $20 - $30 per dose
Lyme Disease - $20 - $40 per dose
Bordetella (kennel cough) - $30 - $50 per dose
A Puppy’s Vaccination Schedule
According to Gascon, the recommended vaccine schedule for puppies in their initial year of life and into adulthood is:
Vaccination | Core of non-care | Puppy’s age at first dose | Booster Timeline |
DAPP/DHPP | Core | 6 – 8 weeks old | Every 2 – 4 weeks until the age of 16 weeks Then 1 year after the intial dose Then boosters every 3 years |
Core | Dependent on state law | Dependent on state law | |
Non-core | 9 – 12 weeks old | Booster at 15 weeks old, then annually | |
Leptospirosis | Non-core | >12 weeks old | Boosters annually |
Bordetella | Non-core | 9 – 12 weeks old | Boosters every 6 – 12 months |
For more guidance on the best vaccination schedule for your puppy, contact your veterinarian for recommendations.
Read more: Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vaccines do puppies really need? Puppies should receive the Rabies and DAPP/DHPP vaccines. These are core vaccinations recommended by veterinarians (Gason).
Vets may also your puppy receive non-core vaccinations based on your location and certain lifestyle choices. For example, the vaccine for Lyme disease may be recommended if you live in an area where ticks are common and if your pet will spend large amounts of time outdoors (Kelly).
When should a puppy get their first shots? A puppy’s vaccine schedule can start when they are as young as 6 – 8 weeks old, but defer to your vet’s advice on the best time to start vaccinating your puppy (“Puppy Vaccinations: When to Get Them and Why | PetSmart”).
Can pet insurance cover puppy vaccines? While pet insurance base plans typically do not cover vaccines, providers like Spot Pet Insurance offer wellness add-ons that can help pet parents get cash back on covered vaccines, for a small monthly fee. To learn more about Spot’s wellness add-ons visit our wellness page.
Conclusion
While a puppy’s vaccination schedule can seem overwhelming at first, we hope this article provided you with a clear guide on what you can expect in your puppies first year. For more guidance on the best vaccine schedule for your newest addition, please reach out to your vet. To learn more about Spot’s pet plans, visit our puppy insurance page.
With 10 years of experience as a pet parent, I aim to empower pet owners with insights into pet insurance and maintaining their pet's well-being. I aspire to be a trusted source, combining knowledge with a commitment to the welfare of our beloved pets.
As Spot’s resident cat enthusiast, I am dedicated to researching and sharing information that helps pet owners take the best care of their pets. Pet ownership comes with it’s share of challenges, but my goal is to help make this journey easier.
Gascon, Ana. “The Puppy Vaccination Schedule Recommended by Veterinarians.” GoodRx, GoodRx, 20 Jan. 2023, www.goodrx.com/pet-health/dog/puppy-vaccine-schedule.
Kelley, Tracy. “How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost?” Daily Paws, 2 Aug. 2022, www.dailypaws.com/living-with-pets/pet-costs/dog-vaccinations-cost.
“Puppy Vaccinations: When to Get Them and Why | PetSmart.” Www.petsmart.com, n.d, www.petsmart.com/learning-center/dog-care/puppy-vaccinations-when-to-get-them-and-why/A0067.html.
