What Vaccines Should You Give Your Dog?

Hello, I’m Dr. Andrew Jones. In this video, I’ll explain which vaccines I would give to my puppy and which ones I wouldn’t. I know this is a topic that sparks some strong opinions, and I recently received some feedback from a viewer who wasn’t happy with my stance on dog vaccines. The comment said, “Don’t listen to this guy; he’s unlicensed.” While that’s true, let me explain why you might still want to hear what I have to say.

My Background in Veterinary Medicine

It’s true that I am no longer practicing veterinary medicine, and I’m not licensed anymore. However, I didn’t lose my license—I voluntarily resigned after practicing for 20 years. If you’re curious about why I made that decision, I’ll link to a video where I explain it in more detail. That said, I spent two decades in practice, working with both dogs and cats. During that time, I learned a great deal about veterinary care, and I’ve since dedicated myself to educating pet parents like you on how to use alternative remedies to support your pets’ health. I think I can offer valuable insights on this subject.

My Approach to Vaccination for Puppies

You don’t have to take my word for it, but here’s what I would do when I get a puppy. I recently went to the American Kennel Club (AKC) website to review their recommended vaccine schedule for puppies. They suggest starting vaccinations as early as six weeks of age. According to the AKC, the recommended vaccines include:

• Parainfluenza
• Distemper
• Adenovirus
• Parvovirus
• Rabies

Additionally, they list optional vaccines, including:

• Influenza
• Leptospirosis
• Bordetella
• Lyme disease
• Coronavirus

All of these vaccines together mean that your puppy could be vaccinated against 10 different diseases. Typically, this involves vaccinations at 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks, followed by boosters every one to three years.

What I Would Vaccinate For

If I had a puppy, I would vaccinate for just two diseases: distemper and parvovirus. These are the two most serious, preventable infectious diseases that affect puppies. The vaccines for these diseases have been shown to be both safe and effective. Specifically, I would give the distemper and parvovirus vaccines at 8 weeks, with a booster at 12 weeks, and that’s it.

What About the Rabies Vaccine?

Rabies is a tricky topic. In some areas, it’s mandated by law that puppies receive this vaccine, and you should follow those regulations. That said, I would wait until the puppy is at least six months old before giving the rabies vaccine. At one year of age, I would recommend titer testing to check whether your puppy has protective antibody levels against both distemper and parvovirus. If the titer levels are adequate, no further vaccinations would be needed.

As for rabies, studies show that the immunity provided by the rabies vaccine likely lasts much longer than the typical three-year schedule. In some cases, one rabies vaccine may protect your dog for up to 10 years. Of course, if rabies is a risk in your area, you’ll need to vaccinate your dog. But yearly rabies vaccinations are unnecessary. I recommend going every three years, if not longer.

A Common-Sense Approach to Vaccination

I’m not saying that you should never vaccinate your dog. What I am suggesting is that you vaccinate against the diseases your dog is most likely to encounter, and give the vaccines when they’re most likely to be effective. The critical time to protect your puppy is before they’ve been exposed to any of these diseases, and this is typically before they reach one year of age.

The Limitations of Vaccines

As you and I both know, vaccines don’t always work perfectly. I’ve had multiple COVID-19 vaccinations, and yet, I still contracted COVID-19. That’s a reminder that vaccines are not foolproof. However, they still play an important role in preventing serious, potentially life-threatening diseases.

Conclusion

So, those are my thoughts on which vaccines to give your dog and which to skip. I hope this gives you a better understanding of what I would do for my own puppy. Thanks for watching, and if you found this video helpful, please subscribe and hit the notification bell. You can also click the link below to get a free copy of my book!