Vaccination and preventive healthcare are foundational to companion animal welfare. Understanding vaccination schedules, risks, and benefits helps owners make informed decisions for their animals.
Vaccination is one of the highest-value welfare investments owners can make for companion animals. Preventable diseases like parvovirus cause enormous suffering and death in unvaccinated animals. However, vaccination practices should be evidence-based, avoiding unnecessary boosters when titre testing confirms adequate immunity. The veterinary visit for vaccination also provides an opportunity for welfare assessment that may identify problems invisible to owners at home.