Companion Animals

Companion Dog Vaccination Schedule Welfare

Evidence-based vaccination programmes protect dog welfare from serious infectious diseases while minimising unnecessary procedures.

Key Facts

Core vaccines protect against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and leptospirosis
Antibody titre testing can assess immune status and reduce booster frequency
Over-vaccination carries small but real risks including injection site reactions
Vaccination schedules should be tailored to individual dog risk based on lifestyle

Welfare Considerations

Both under-vaccination and unnecessary vaccination compromise welfare. Evidence-based vaccination protects dogs from preventable and serious diseases while titre testing prevents excessive booster procedures in dogs with adequate immunity.

What You Can Do

Follow evidence-based vaccination schedules recommended by your vet
Discuss titre testing as an alternative to automatic annual boosters
Ensure all dogs are protected against core diseases especially in shelter situations