{"id":31917,"date":"2023-03-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hartzdevelop.wpengine.com\/importance-vaccinating-your-pet\/"},"modified":"2023-03-09T16:48:52","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T16:48:52","slug":"importance-vaccinating-your-pet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hartz.com\/en-ca\/importance-vaccinating-your-pet\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Vaccinating Your Pet"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Vaccinating

Vaccines create antibodies to build up immunity to diseases.<\/p><\/div>\n

Vaccinations are essential to protecting your furry family member by creating a defensive level of antibodies to build up immunity from communicable diseases. In the simplest sense, when a cat or dog is vaccinated, he receives a disease-enabling organism to stimulate his immune system and \u2018communicate\u2019 to the body how to fight those diseases in the future.<\/p>\n

While no vaccine is 100 percent effective, the proper inoculations can help your pet resist illnesses or recover much more quickly if they do become infected. It can be confusing and even overwhelming for pet parents when deciding which boosters are best for our pets. The more you know about vaccinations, the easier it will be to take informed care of your cat or dog.<\/p>\n

Why Vaccinate Your Pet?<\/h3>\n

Vaccines do so much more than simply protect your pet.<\/p>\n

Many states mandate vaccinations, such as rabies, for cats and dogs, and also require vaccination records from residents in order to obtain a pet license.<\/p>\n

If you board your pet, plan to travel or stay in pet-friendly hotels<\/a>, frequent dog parks<\/a> and grooming salons, enroll him in doggie day care or a similar pet-sitting service, vaccinations may not only be required by an establishment, but also protect your companion from contracting contagious diseases from other animals as well as unintentionally spreading infection.<\/p>\n

Staying up to date on routine vaccinations is important even for pets that remain predominantly indoors. Some of the most common dog diseases, such as Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Coronavirus, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Rabies Virus, Bordetella, and Canine Parainfluenza Virus, are potentially airborne or known to be transmitted by air.<\/p>\n

While outdoor cats and felines living in multi-cat households are more prone to disease, indoor cats and \u2018only cats\u2019 can get sick too. There is always the risk of your pet accidentally slipping outside, where they could become exposed. Wild animals which are known carriers of rabid diseases, such as bats and raccoons, can also potentially end up inside your home through chimneys, unscreened windows and open doors, posing a potential threat of transmission if your pet is bitten.<\/p>\n

If your pet contracts a disease, it can be very difficult to treat. Even minor ailments can erupt into major health concerns. The good news is that most illnesses are easily preventable via routine vaccination.<\/p>\n

Types of Vaccines for Cats and Dogs<\/h3>\n

There are many different types of vaccines to consider for your cat or dog. Some are administered alone, while others require a sequence of doses.<\/p>\n

All cats and dogs are unique, and there are many factors which influence what vaccinations are best for your pet, such as age, breed, gender, environment\/geography, family or genetic history, overall health, risk of exposure and local animal laws.<\/p>\n

Your veterinarian can help assess your pet\u2019s health and lifestyle to recommend a proper set and schedule of vaccines to keep your four-legged friend healthy. It is also important to keep in mind that vaccinations take a few days to a few weeks to become effective.<\/p>\n

Core Cat Vaccines<\/h4>\n
\"Vaccinating

Many factors influence which vaccinations are best for your pet.<\/p><\/div>\n