Pet vaccinations—the key to healthy pets!

Katie Ockert<ockertka@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Just like people, pets need to have their vaccinations in order to control the onset and spread of dangerous diseases.

Just like people, pets need to have their vaccinations in order to control the onset and spread of devastating diseases within animal communities. The American Veterinary Medical Association has published an FAQ’s article to help answer some common questions about pet vaccines.

The Cooperative Extension Service has issued a list of core and non-core vaccines for dogs and cats that should be followed in their appropriate time frames. According to Michigan State University Extension, core vaccines are recommended for dogs and cats with an unknown vaccination history. Non-core vaccines are optional vaccines that should be considered depending on your animals’ health risk. The lists serve as a guide for developing a vaccine schedule for your pet, however all decisions regarding vaccination of your pet should be made with a licensed veterinarian.

MSU Extension is providing a list of vaccines your pet should have:

Dog Vaccines:

Core vaccines for dog:

Non-core vaccines for dogs:

Cat Vaccines:

Core vaccinations for cats:

Non-core vaccines for cats:

Although there are risks that are associated with vaccinating pets, the benefits far outnumber them. The most common adverse reactions to vaccinations are mild and short-term. Animals may experience a fever, sluggishness and reduced appetite after receiving a vaccination. These side effects usually subside within a day or two.

Youth participating in the State 4-H Dog Show must have their dogs properly vaccinated. It is recommended that county 4-H programs adopt the Michigan State 4-H Dog Show Vaccination Policy to ensure that all dogs are properly protected from transmittable diseases. 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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