Keep Your Pets Healthy and Thriving: Essential Care Tips

Every pet deserves to feel their best, and small daily habits can make a huge difference in their overall health. From managing digestion and supporting the immune system to keeping joints strong and energy levels high, the right nutrition and supplements can transform your dog or cat’s quality of life.

Try Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula for Dogs

If you’re serious about giving your dog the best care possible, check out Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula. This all-in-one supplement is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants designed to support your dog’s digestive health, immune system, joints, and skin. It helps improve mobility, maintain energy, and boost overall vitality—perfect for dogs of all ages, from playful pups to senior companions. With consistent use, you’ll notice a happier, healthier, and more energetic dog ready to enjoy every day by your side.

Try Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula for Cats

Cats are natural athletes with unique dietary needs, and their health relies on a balanced blend of nutrients. Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula is crafted specifically for cats to support their delicate digestive system, strengthen immunity, promote healthy skin and coat, and maintain lean muscle mass. With essential vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids, it helps your cat stay active, playful, and resilient, while also supporting long-term wellness. It’s the perfect daily boost to keep your feline friend feeling their absolute best.

Do Dogs & Cats Really Need Vaccines in 2025?

August is National Vaccine Awareness Month, so let’s talk about vaccines for your pets. Should your cat or dog get every shot just because it’s recommended, or because the press says it’s National Vaccine Awareness Month? There’s a lot to consider, and it starts with asking the right questions.

Vaccines have undeniably saved lives—parvovirus in dogs, panleukopenia in cats, rabies, distemper—they’ve prevented serious diseases that once killed pets regularly. But vaccines aren’t risk-free, and the final decision on whether your pet gets vaccinated should be yours.

What Are Vaccines For?

Vaccines work by stimulating your pet’s immune system to produce antibodies. These antibodies are designed to fight specific viruses if your dog or cat is exposed. Essentially, they prepare your pet’s body to recognize and eliminate serious infectious diseases like:

• Dogs: Parvovirus, distemper, rabies

• Cats: Panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus

These are considered core vaccines, usually given as puppies or kittens before their first year.

Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines

Beyond the basics, there are non-core vaccines that may or may not be necessary depending on your pet’s lifestyle:

• Dogs: Bordetella, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, parainfluenza

• Cats: Feline leukemia, FIV, chlamydia, FIP

Some non-core vaccines are advised yearly, but they carry potential risks. That’s why it’s important to balance risk versus reward.

Risks of Repeated Vaccination

Some risks include:

• Acute reactions: lethargy, fever, swelling

• Rare severe reactions: anaphylaxis

• Injection-site tumors (especially in cats)

• Long-term effects: autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, allergic skin disease, even chronic kidney disease

Repeated vaccines stimulate the immune system, which in some cases can backfire.

How Often is Too Often?

Most core vaccines actually provide protection for years—not just months. Puppies and kittens usually receive a series of vaccines between 8–12 weeks, with rabies sometimes delayed until 6 months. After this, tighter antibody testing can determine if further vaccines are truly necessary.

My Recommended Approach

1. Core vaccines for puppies and kittens:

   • Puppies: 8-week parvo vaccine, 12-week booster, rabies at 6 months if needed

   • Kittens: 8-week FVRCP vaccine, 12-week booster, rabies at 6 months if required

   • Indoor cats (like my cat Cassian) often need no vaccines at all

2. Skip one-size-fits-all schedules:

   • Outdoor cats may need full protection

   • Indoor cats likely do not

3. Adjust vaccine volume by size:

   • A tiny 3 lb poodle does not need the same vaccine dose as a 150 lb Great Dane

4. Use antibody testing:

   • After initial series, check antibody levels before giving more vaccines

5. Avoid unnecessary combination vaccines:

   • Overloading the immune system with multiple vaccines at once can be harmful

6. Support the immune system naturally:

   • Feed a variety of foods, not just kibble

   • Use probiotics (like yogurt)

   • Include essential fatty acids (ground flaxseed)

   • Reduce toxin exposure (limit chemical flea/tick meds)

When we consider cancer rates and chronic diseases in pets, it’s clear that minimizing chemical and immune stress is essential. Science has advanced, and vaccines should be used wisely—not excessively.

I’m Not Anti-Vaccine, I’m Pro-Informed

I’m not anti-vaccine. I am anti-excessive vaccination, anti-combination vaccines, and anti-yearly vaccines for every pet. I’m pro-informed, pro-consent, and ultimately, this should be your choice.

Vaccines are important, but understanding the risks, tailoring doses to your pet, and supporting their immune system naturally is just as vital. Your pets deserve care that’s both effective and informed.

Grab your free copy of my book to help guide your decisions on your pet’s health.

CLICK TO GET A FREE COPY OF MY E-BOOK!

Try Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula for Dogs

If you’re serious about giving your dog the best care possible, check out Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Advanced Plus Health Formula. This all-in-one supplement is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants designed to support your dog’s digestive health, immune system, joints, and skin. It helps improve mobility, maintain energy, and boost overall vitality—perfect for dogs of all ages, from playful pups to senior companions. With consistent use, you’ll notice a happier, healthier, and more energetic dog ready to enjoy every day by your side.

Try Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula for Cats

Cats are natural athletes with unique dietary needs, and their health relies on a balanced blend of nutrients. Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline Health Formula is crafted specifically for cats to support their delicate digestive system, strengthen immunity, promote healthy skin and coat, and maintain lean muscle mass. With essential vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids, it helps your cat stay active, playful, and resilient, while also supporting long-term wellness. It’s the perfect daily boost to keep your feline friend feeling their absolute best.