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Dog vaccinations can protect your furry friend, as well as humans and other pets in the community, from various — and even deadly — diseases. Vaccine costs can add up quickly, especially for young puppies, but these basic services are considered essential to your pet’s health. If you are looking to offset costs, pet insurance will typically only cover vaccines if you buy a wellness plan for routine care.
We at the MarketWatch Guides team want pet parents to understand and budget for this necessary expense as part of the cost of owning a dog, so we’ve gathered everything pet owners should know about dog vaccinations in the article below.
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What’s the Cost of Dog Vaccinations?
According to CareCredit, dog vaccinations typically cost between $20 and $50 each, depending on the vaccine type and broader veterinary fees in your area. Vaccines are typically administered during your dog’s annual wellness visit, so the total visit cost includes an exam fee and will vary based on how many vaccines your dog receives. Here is a breakdown of the expenses by vaccination type based on our research into dog vaccination costs.
| Vaccine | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Bordetella | $36 |
| Distemper, hepatitis parainfluenza and parvovirus (DHPP) | $45 |
| Influenza (H3N2 and H3N8) | $50 |
| Leptospirosis | $25 |
| Rabies | $30 |
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, puppies receive antibodies from their mother’s milk that temporarily protect them against infectious diseases, but that protection wanes after several weeks. Pet vaccinations start around 6 to 8 weeks of age, with doses given every two to four weeks until a dog is 16 weeks old. This enables the puppy to make antibodies on their own. Puppy vaccinations are customized to each pet, depending on their current and expected lifestyle and needs.
Pet insurance can help cover the costs of dog vaccinations through pet wellness plans with routine care coverage. The best pet insurance companies offer unique plan options that can cover the vaccines your dog needs.
Core Vaccines
Common vaccines for dogs include core and non-core vaccinations, according to the AAHA, which are categorized based on disease severity and prevalence. Core vaccines are considered necessary for all pets to protect against often fatal diseases and help protect the larger community from outbreaks. Core vaccines for dogs include:
- Canine parvovirus vaccine: Canine parvovirus or parvo is highly contagious and attacks a dog’s gastrointestinal tract and immune system, leading to severe dehydration, systemic infection and shock. Most puppies will survive with treatment, but treatment requires intensive care, which can be costly.
- Distemper vaccine: Canine distemper virus attacks the nervous system and respiratory tract and is often fatal. Dogs that survive typically have permanent neurologic damage. Wildlife can carry and transmit the virus, serving as a reservoir of infection.
- Canine hepatitis vaccine: Canine infectious hepatitis, which is caused by an adenovirus, attacks liver cells and can cause secondary clotting problems or kidney disorders. Around 10% to 30% of infected young dogs will die from the disease, but vaccination provides immunity.
- Rabies vaccine: Rabies virus is nearly 100% fatal, attacking the brain and nervous system within days of infection. The virus is prevalent in many wildlife species, such as raccoons and bats, and is transmitted through bite wounds. The rabies vaccine is extremely effective and is required by law to protect pets and humans from infection.
What Is the 5-in-1 Vaccine?
According to our research, the 5-in-1 or 4-in-1 vaccine for dogs combines core vaccines into a single injection. Parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus and canine parainfluenza comprise the 4-in-1 vaccine. The 5-in-1 vaccine also includes protection against leptospirosis. This combination is often referred to as the DAPP, DHPP, DA2PP or DAPP+L vaccination, or the canine distemper combination vaccine. Most veterinary clinics use the combination vaccine to minimize the number of injections required.
Optional Dog Vaccines
Optional dog vaccines are also known as lifestyle or non-core vaccines and are administered only to pets at high risk for contracting each disease. A dog’s risk level is assessed during puppyhood and then reassessed during each annual wellness visit to determine whether their vaccine protocol is appropriate. According to our research, optional vaccines for dogs include:
- Bordetella vaccine: The Bordetella vaccine protects against the bacteria that commonly cause kennel cough and is recommended for dogs who spend time at parks, daycare, boarding kennels or training classes. This vaccine does not prevent infection, but it lessens infection severity and helps dogs recover faster.
- Canine influenza vaccine: Dogs at risk of Bordetella infection are also at risk of canine influenza, an airborne infection. The canine influenza vaccine does not prevent infection, but it can lessen disease severity and reduce the likelihood of complications, including pneumonia.
- Leptospirosis vaccine: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that dogs can pick up from water sources contaminated with infected urine. Leptospirosis causes severe liver and kidney damage and can become fatal for some dogs. Vaccination provides effective immunity.
- Lyme disease vaccine: Ticks transmit Lyme disease, which is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This vaccine is recommended for pets that spend time outdoors, and especially pets who go hiking or camping with their owner.
What’s the Best Puppy Vaccination Schedule?
The best vaccination schedule for your puppy depends on when injections begin and how many total vaccines they need. Pet parents can expect to schedule regular vet visits every few weeks until their puppy is at least 4 months old. Here is an overview of a typical puppy vaccination schedule:
| Age | Vaccine |
|---|---|
| 6–7 Weeks | Distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis (DHPPi+L) |
| 9–10 Weeks | DHPPi+L booster |
| 12–16 Weeks | DHPPi+L booster, rabies |
| 1 year | DHPPi+L, Bordetella, canine influenza, leptospira, Lyme disease, coronavirus |
| Annually | Bordatella, canine influenza, leptospira, Lyme disease, coronavirus, parainfluenza |
| Every 3 years | DHPPi+L booster |
How Often Do Dogs Need Vaccines?
After the initial puppy vaccination series, adult dogs need vaccine boosters throughout their lives. The first vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies to fight the targeted disease, while boosters help to reinforce this response.
Your dog should get booster shots for each vaccination one year after the puppy series ends. After this, dogs receive vaccines every one to three years, depending on the manufacturer’s labeling and veterinarians’ recommendations.
| Vaccine | Dose | Timeline | Booster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza | 3 doses | 2-4 weeks apart | 1 year after initial vaccination series, boosters every 3 years |
| Rabies | As required by state law | As required by state law | As required by state law |
| Leptospira | 2 doses | 2-4 weeks apart, starting at 12 weeks | Annually |
| Canine Lyme Disease | 2 doses | 2-4 weeks apart | Annually |
| Bordetella | 1 dose | – | Annually |
| Canine Parainfluenza | 1 dose | – | Annually |
| Canine Influenza | 2 doses | 2-4 weeks apart | Annually |
Are Dog Vaccinations Required?
Rabies vaccination is required under state or local laws, often set by the county government. Typically, local animal control departments enforce these laws and work with local veterinarians to protect pets in their communities.
No other dog vaccinations are required. However, the DAPP vaccine combination, which includes four core vaccines — canine distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus — is highly recommended to protect your pet and others in your community.
How To Lower the Cost of Vaccines for Dogs
Pet parents can lower the costs of puppy vaccines by adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization, which may include vaccination costs in the initial adoption fee. You can lower adult dog vaccination costs using the following strategies:
- Visit low-cost vaccine clinics in your area
- Re-evaluate your dog’s vaccine risk with your veterinarian each year
- Adopt an every-three-years vaccine protocol if appropriate
- Ask your veterinarian about vaccination packages that bundle costs
Remember that low-cost vaccination clinics provide vaccinations only — a complete physical examination and other wellness services are still recommended annually for all pets.
Pet Insurance for Dogs
You can purchase a pet health insurance policy for your dog to cover expenses related to accidents or illnesses. You will pay a monthly premium to keep your policy active, and the insurance company will reimburse you for a percentage of the costs associated with your pet’s care, minus any deductible.
While pet insurance plans help to ensure you’re financially prepared for the unexpected, most policies do not cover wellness or preventive pet care services, including vaccinations. For an additional fee, you can add wellness coverage to some policies. This coverage will reimburse you up to a certain amount for vaccinations and other services, such as a microchip, heartworm test, heartworm prevention, deworming and spaying or neutering.
Let’s say your pet needs four vaccinations, which cost $160 total. With a pet insurance plan that has an 80% reimbursement rate and a $50 deductible, you would pay around $20 out of pocket if you have a plan that includes vaccine coverage.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cost of Dog Vaccinations
Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about the cost of dog vaccinations:
The 4-in-1 DAPP combination vaccine for puppies, which covers distemper, adenovirus parainfluenza and parvovirus, costs an average of $33 to $38 per dose. The 5-in-1 vaccine, which adds the leptospirosis vaccine, may cost a bit more, with lepto shots costing around $20 to $24 when administered alone.
All dogs should receive core vaccines, including distemper, hepatitis, parvo and rabies vaccines. The rabies vaccine is legally required in all states. Talk with your pet’s veterinarian to learn more about necessary vaccines.
Unvaccinated dogs are more likely to be threatened by infectious diseases than vaccinated dogs. Unvaccinated puppies could become sick within their first few months of life, suffer long-term complications, and possibly die as a result.
Puppies should receive their first vaccinations between 6 and 8 weeks of age. A breeder or shelter may provide the first vaccinations before you bring your pet home. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian as soon as you adopt a new pet, and bring their vaccination records with you to determine when they need their next booster.
