Vaccinate your pet for ensured health

Katie VanderKolk<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 a list of core and non-core vaccines for dogs  and cats that should be followed in their appropriate time frames. 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 animal’s 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.

Core vaccines for dog

Non-core vaccines for dogs

Core vaccinations for cats

Non-core vaccines for cats

Although there are risks 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 gain first-hand experience in working with their pets’ veterinarian to ensure their companion animal is properly protected from disease.  The Michigan 4-H State Dog Show vaccination policy is available online.

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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