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Getting your dog vaccinated is an important part of ensuring that he has a healthy life. It is important that you get your puppy vaccinated before he starts socializing with other dogs to minimize his chances of contracting an illness—much in the same way we vaccinate infants before sending them to preschool.

When a dog is feeding off of his mother’s milk, he is automatically being immunized through the antibodies in his mother’s milk, which is also known as “passive immunity.”  This is a great way for a pup to remain protected from diseases while he is still very young and his immune system is unstable, but this form of protection cannot be relied upon forever.

Once a dog begins to wean off of his mother’s milk, he will eventually lose the antibodies that were provided through his mother’s milk. Once the puppy has turned about six weeks old (but no younger!), the first set of core vaccinations can be administered. The core vaccinations are most important when protecting your pup against disease. The core vaccines cover the following illnesses: distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and rabies.

There has to be a certain number of weeks between each set of core vaccinations, and there are generally three in total. If your pup is given the first set at 6 weeks of age, you can expect to bring him back for the next two at 9 and 12 weeks of age. Some veterinarians will ask you to book an appointment at 15 weeks for a general checkup to make sure that your dog is faring well after the injections.

You may have heard of dogs receiving other vaccinations, commonly referred to as “non-core vaccines.” They are called this because they are usually for illnesses that aren’t as severe to all breeds of dog. Some breeds of dog are particularly susceptible to a certain illness, in which case the vet may recommend that they be given a vaccine as a preventative measure.

Some dog owners fear the side effects of vaccination for their pets. This is a valid concern, but the benefits of vaccination far exceed the risks. Effectiveness may not be guaranteed 100% but with the combination of proper nutrition and eating habits, a good and sanitized environment, vaccination is a great way to protect your dog and other of your pets as well.

In addition to getting your pet vaccinated, it’s important that you provide a healthy diet. Not all dry dog foods live up to their promise of providing the highest quality of ingredients. If you want more information about what’s really in store-bought dog food, visit Dog Food for Life to read the Confidential Dog Food Report.