If you just adopted a puppy or kitten, scheduling their first round of vaccinations is one of the most important things you need to do. Vaccinations are not optional—they are necessary, and they could even save your pet’s life!
Puppies and kittens are more vulnerable to illnesses than cats and dogs. Their small bodies and developing immune systems mean that contagious diseases are more likely to be deadly. Vaccinations help young pets stay healthy, and protect them from diseases in the future.
Four Benefits of Vaccinations for Puppies and Kittens
1: They protect against deadly diseases.
Diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus can be deadly, especially for tiny puppies and kittens. Vaccinations help your pet fight off contagious diseases and teach their immune system how to respond in the future. If they do contract a disease they’ve been immunized against, they will have very mild symptoms or none at all.
2: They strengthen the immune system.
Vaccinations work by introducing inactive or semi-inactive forms of a disease into your pet’s body. While this might sound dangerous, it is perfectly safe! Vaccines stimulate your pet’s immune system to produce antibodies, which are like your pet’s security guards. Vaccinations help your pet fight off contagious diseases. While some vaccinations might last your pet their lifetime, other shots (like rabies) will need a booster every 1 to 3 years.
3: They protect other pets and even humans from diseases.
The diseases we vaccinate against are highly contagious. They spread easily through pet-to-pet contact; some of them, like rabies, can even spread to humans. An unvaccinated adult pet could pass a deadly disease to your puppy or kitten. Vaccinating all your animals means they can interact with each other safely.
4: They save you money in the long run.
With everything rising in cost these days, it is important to factor the cost of vaccinations into your decision to adopt a kitten or puppy. Medications, office visits, x-rays, therapy, special diets, and all the other odds and ends that go into caring for a sick pet can really add up. Vaccinations and booster shots can keep you from having to pay for expensive treatments if your pet ever gets sick. This saves you money and spares your pet unnecessary pain.
What Vaccinations Do Puppies and Kittens Need?
Puppies and kittens need a series of shots before they are fully immune. You’ll need to stick to the vaccination schedule your vet recommends—if you miss an appointment, you might have to start over or pay for an extra shot.
First of all, they’ll need a shot that protects against a group of diseases (FVRCP for cats, and DHPP for puppies). They’ll also need a rabies shot, as rabies vaccines are required by law in Arizona.
Core vaccinations protect puppies from:
- Distemper
- Parvovirous
- Bortetella
- Hepatitis
- Parainfluenza
- Leptospirosis
- Rabies
Core vaccinations protect kittens from:
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis
- Feline panleukopenia
- Feline leukemia virus
- Rabies
Where to Get Pet Vaccinations in Gilbert, Arizona
East Valley Animal Hospital offers the best veterinary care for pets of all ages. From checkups and vaccinations for little puppies and kittens, to booster shots and preventive care throughout their lives, we have you covered.
If you just adopted a new pet, we’d love to meet them! Contact us to schedule an appointment today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/14/25). Photo by The Lucky Neko on Unsplash