Written in collaboration with vets
Although it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of bringing home a new puppy, it’s important that dog parents remember their first vaccinations. It’s crucial to follow the UK’s puppy vaccine schedule to ensure the health and safety of young dogs.
In this article, we explore what vaccinations are, why they’re important, the typical costs involved, what to expect in appointments and possible side effects. We discuss the puppy vaccination schedule, explain core and non-core vaccines and outline why each vaccine is necessary.
By following our recommended schedule below, you can support your puppy’s wellbeing, helping them grow into healthy dogs, while also protecting other dogs and animals.
Vaccinations are injections that contain antigens similar to those in the infectious disease. Their purpose is to stimulate the immune system to fight the disease and form appropriate antibodies. Should your puppy come into contact with the actual disease, vaccinations help to prevent serious symptoms and protect your puppy’s health in the long-term.
It’s recommended to start your puppy’s vaccine schedule at an early age since their immune systems are immature, which makes them more vulnerable to infections and canine colds.
Vaccination programmes will vary depending on the brand of vaccines your local practice uses and its manufacturer’s guidelines. Typically, puppies should receive their first vaccinations between 6-8 weeks at the breeder’s home before you collect them, starting with the core vaccines. After the initial vaccine, your veterinarian may schedule follow-up doses, usually every 3-4 weeks, potentially until your puppy is 16 weeks old.
However, the timing of these vaccinations can vary depending on your puppy’s breed and general health. This is because some puppies may be more susceptible to disease or have pre-existing health conditions, in which case they would require increased protection through earlier or more regular vaccinations. Your veterinarian will be able to advise a puppy vaccination schedule according to your individual puppy.
As a puppy owner, it’s important to understand your puppy’s vaccine schedule so you’re well-prepared before you bring them home. Vaccines protect against highly infectious and severe disease and are essential for all puppies. On the other hand, non-core vaccines, such as kennel cough nasal vaccine, may be recommended depending on your puppy’s lifestyle, exposure risk and health status.
As mentioned above, vaccinations will begin when your puppy is between 6-8 weeks, followed by boosters every 3-4 weeks until they are around 16 weeks old. After this time, they will receive another booster usually 12 months after their last in the series of puppy vaccination, and then annually along with a health check after that. For non-core vaccines, such as kennel cough, your veterinarian will tailor a different puppy vaccine schedule.
1 month: As your puppy will be drinking milk from its mother in the first few weeks of their life, they will receive maternal antibodies that serve as initial protection.
2 months: Between 6-8 weeks, your puppy should receive the first dose of core vaccines for Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus and Leptospirosis. If necessary, they will also have non-core vaccines for Kennel Cough and Parainfluenza.
3 months: 2-4 weeks after their initial dose, puppies should have their second dose for Distemper, Parvovirus and Adenovirus. Their second dose for Leptospirosis should be 4 weeks later, when your dog is at least 10 weeks old.
4 months: Until your puppy is 16 weeks old, they should have boosters for core vaccines every 3-4 weeks. From 12 weeks, your puppy can have the vaccine for Rabies, which is considered non-core in the UK puppy vaccine schedule, and for Lyme disease.
5 months: Your puppy’s second dose for non-core vaccine Lyme Disease should be 2 weeks after their first dose.
12 months: Your puppy should have a booster when they are 1 years old, or 12 months after their initial vaccination, for core vaccines such as Distemper, Adenovirus and Parvovirus, and then boosters annually or according to the programme your vet follows.
For Rabies, the booster is 1 year after the initial vaccinations, and then can vary between every 1-3 years after depending on the specific product used.
Kennel Cough boosters are annual, unless your puppy is high-risk then it would be every 6 months.
Other annual boosters include Leptospirosis, Lyme Disease and Leishmania.
The cost of puppy vaccinations can vary depending on the type of vaccination and the area in which you live. On average, the initial set of core vaccines ranges from £30-£60 per dose, while non-core vaccines can be between £20-£40 each. Vaccinations for rabies, if needed for travelling, can cost between £30-£50. The typical total cost of the puppy vaccination schedule in the UK, at least in their first year of life, can range between £100-£200, depending on which vaccines are needed and the veterinary practice itself.
There are ways to find cost-effective veterinary care, including signing up to a package or plan that offers initial vaccines at a discounted rate. You may also be able to find an animal charity or shelter that has vaccination clinics with lower costs. Comparing prices between different veterinary clinics may also help you find a more affordable option. There’s also the option of a pet insurance plan that can cover some of the initial costs of puppy vaccination schedules.
Ultimately, though, puppy owners should prioritise their puppy’s health. Preventative care can save money in the future by avoiding the high costs of treatment for these diseases.
The initial puppy vaccine schedule can be quite intensive, but it is necessary to adhere to it for the health and safety of your pet, as well as others in the environment. By not adhering to the recommended vaccination times, it can make your puppy vulnerable to serious and potentially fatal diseases. Besides the pain and suffering it would cause your puppy, the treatments are expensive and there can be long-term impact on their health.
Ensuring timely vaccinations also plays a vital role in community health, as it prevents the spread of infectious diseases. If puppies are vaccinated, they are less likely to become carriers of the disease which could impact other animals and even people. This creates herd immunity, as it protects young, old or ill puppies who can’t be vaccinated. By following a puppy vaccination schedule, you can contribute towards the control of disease and a healthy environment for all domestic animals.
It can be reassuring for both you and your puppy if you’re aware of what to expect during puppy vaccinations. The vaccination appointment usually starts with the veterinarian physically examining your puppy to ensure they are healthy to receive the vaccination. They will then administer the injection with the vaccine, which is usually quick and not too uncomfortable.
At the end of the appointment, your veterinarian will inform you about post-vaccination care. While vaccines are both essential and safe for your puppy, your vet will inform you of minor side effects after the treatment. This could include some lethargy, reduced appetite or minor swelling at the injection site, all of which should improve by itself within 1-2 days.
If you notice any changes in your puppy’s behaviour, or if symptoms worsen, contact your veterinarian. Learn more about if your dog or puppy is ill and what signs to look out for.
As expected, there can be some side effects to puppy vaccinations, including some lethargy, reduced appetite, minor swelling where injection was given and a mild fever. These symptoms might occur shortly after the vaccination, and pass on its own within 1-2 days. Puppy owners can manage side effects by keeping them comfortable, offering plenty of water and ensuring a calm environment.
It’s rare for puppies to have severe reactions to vaccinations, but the worst side effects can include gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea, hives, swelling in the face, or difficulty in breathing. In any of these cases, you should consult a veterinarian immediately. Keep observing your puppy for changes in their behaviour or appetite, or any physical symptoms, to ensure they are safe.
While there are no specific laws in the UK for this, it’s recommended that you follow the UK puppy vaccination schedule. There are guidelines from Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA), including starting core vaccinations from when your puppy is 8 weeks old, followed with booster doses. There may also be local mandates for other vaccinations such as rabies, depending on if your puppy is travelling abroad.
Local laws and regulations on puppy vaccination schedules can differ in various countries, and although the UK has recommendations, other countries may have mandates. Regardless, owners should follow a puppy vaccine schedule to keep their canine friends healthy, protect other animals, and prevent deadly outbreaks.
Your puppy will typically need 3 core vaccinations, but it depends on their age and health whether they need non-core vaccines too. Between 6-8 weeks, your puppy will receive their first vaccine, and then their second vaccine at 10-12 weeks. Some puppies will only need two vaccines, but in some cases there’ll be a third dose at 14-16 weeks.
Before going outside, puppies will need at least two but ideally three vaccines, given between 8-16 weeks of age. This ensures they are protected against common diseases, such as distemper and parvovirus, before exploring outdoors. Depending on your veterinarian’s guidance, you may be able to take your puppy out in safe areas for short periods after their second dose.
Yes, you can walk a puppy after its second vaccination but only after consulting your vet first, and with precautions and close monitoring in place. You should avoid areas with lots of dogs to minimise the risk of disease spreading. Choose to visit clean and quiet places, and look out for signs of illness including lethargy and gastrointestinal problems.
Our dogs are our best friends, so it’s only natural that we want the best for them. Keeping on top of your puppy’s vaccine schedule will protect their health, improve their quality of life and contribute towards a longer lifespan. Check out our complete guide to vitamins for dogs to learn how to support your dog’s health further.
