Cost of Puppy Vaccinations: An Insight by Veterinarian Brittany Kleszynski, Published on March 6, 2025
🐶 Puppy Shots 101: A Guide for Pet Parents 🐾
Remember those adorable, chubby little bundles of fur you welcomed into your home? Now they're all growed up! But, hold on a sec... before you let your furball run wild in the park, there's a crucial step you need to take to safeguard their health - vaccinations!
Vaccines are the superheroes that protect our beloved canine pals from scary, deadly diseases. And, as a responsible pet parent, you obviously want to avoid costly treatments for illnesses that can be easily prevented. But, which shots do puppies need, and how much will it cost you? Worry not, because we've got you covered. And, we've even sneaked in some financial assistance tips, thanks to our real-life superhero, CareCredit.
🤔 What Shots Do Puppies Need?💉
Puppies require both core and non-core vaccines. Let's break it down:
Core Vaccines
Based on guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association, here are the core vaccines for puppies:
- Distemper: This vaccine (often abbreviated as DHPP, DAPP, or DA2PP) protects against multiple viruses like distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Distemper and parvovirus can be lethal for puppies, while adenovirus can affect many organs, and parainfluenza causes that pesky kennel cough. This vaccination should start after you take your puppy home, at the earliest when they are 6 weeks old. Your puppy will need multiple vaccines to stay healthy until they're 16 weeks old.
- Leptospirosis: This vaccine is mandatory for all dogs, starting at 12 weeks of age. It protects against a bacterial infection that dogs pick up from infected urine of wildlife or other dogs. Leptospirosis can lead to severe liver and kidney disease.
- Rabies: This vaccine is necessary to prevent the deadly disease known as Rabies, spread through a bite from an infected animal. It's transmitted through the animal's saliva into the wound. This vaccine is mandatory and is given between 12-16 weeks old.
Non-Core Vaccines
These vaccines are recommended for specific situations:
- Lyme: Lyme vaccines are recommended for dogs who enjoy outdoor activities, like hiking, or live in areas with tall grass and ticks. Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites and causes joint pain, fever, and other symptoms in dogs.
- Bordetella: This vaccine protects against a highly contagious respiratory disease known as kennel cough. It's recommended for dogs who frequent dog parks, boarding facilities, or grooming centers where they interact with lots of other dogs.
- Influenza: Influenza vaccines are for dogs with frequent contact with other dogs. Influenza spreads quickly in boarding and daycare facilities and shelters.
🤔 How Much Do Puppy Shots Cost?💰
The costs for puppy vaccinations vary depending on factors like the location and the specific veterinary clinic. However, pet parents can expect to spend between $300 to $400 on the puppy vaccination series, including boosters. Here's a breakdown of the average costs for each vaccine:
- Distemper vaccine: $40-$50
- Leptospirosis vaccine: $30-$50
- Rabies vaccine: $30-$60
- Lyme vaccine: $30-$50
- Bordetella vaccine: $20-$40
- Influenza vaccine: $30-$50
gentle-nudge❗️ Pet insurance may help offset the costs if you purchase it before your puppy's veterinary visit. And, if you have a CareCredit credit card, you can use it to pay for puppy vaccinations and other pet care expenses, at any provider in the CareCredit network. It allows you to pay in installments with flexible payment plans. By being financially prepared, you can make sure your precious pup gets the protection it needs to stay healthy. 💡
Additional low-cost vaccination clinics may be available through community organizations and shelters. Keep an eye out for local advertisements or check your local newspaper for details. And remember, once your pet is no longer a puppy, they'll need annual or every three-year vaccinations, depending on the type of vaccine needed.
- To ensure your pet's overall health and wellness, considering pet insurance could be beneficial as it may help offset the costs of vaccinations.
- With the potential financial assistance from science-backed solutions like CareCredit, you can afford essential vaccinations, such as those for distemper, leptospirosis, rabies, lyme, bordetella, and influenza, which are vital for the health of your pet.
