Vaccines are a type of medical technology that “teach” the body to fight off foreign pathogens, particularly those that can cause serious health problems. When your pet is injected with a vaccine, their body produces antibodies to fight off the perceived threat. This makes your pet immune to the illnesses they’ve been vaccinated for. Vaccines are a highly effective way to limit the spread of disease, both among people and among pets.

Many pet owners wonder if pet vaccinations are really necessary, and the answer is always yes. While vaccinating your pet might not seem to do much on the surface, it’s still very important that you bring your dog or cat in for the shots they need. Pets that spend a lot of time outside are always at risk for getting infected by another animal, and even indoor pets can slip outside and encounter unfamiliar pathogens in the blink of an eye. It’s better to be safe than to risk your pet getting sick. In many areas, pet owners are also legally obligated to keep their pets’ vaccinations up-to-date.

Different types of pets need different shots at different times. The best way to know what your dog or cat needs is to talk to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can fill you in on the details of which vaccines are most important for your pet and when you need to bring your pet back for their booster shots.