How Much Do Dog Vaccines Cost?

Vaccines are one of the cheapest things you can do for your dog's health, especially compared with the cost of treating parvovirus, distemper or leptospirosis. What you pay depends on the vaccine, the clinic and whether an exam is bundled in.

Dog vaccine prices: examples from real price lists

The Petfolk prices are its standard prices (with a small discount on its care plan); the Minneapolis prices come from a clinic price list published by ConsumerAffairs. Rover puts the total for vaccinations on a visit at $80 to $300, and Adopt a Pet gives a general range of $15 to $100 per vaccine. Most clinics also charge an exam fee (about $50 to $100) unless you use a vaccine-only clinic.

What a typical year of vaccines costs an adult dog

Under the American Animal Hospital Association's 2022 guidelines, an adult dog's core vaccines don't all come due every year:

• DAPP: every 3 years after the first-year booster
• Rabies: every 1 or 3 years, depending on the vaccine and your state or local law
• Leptospirosis: every year
• Bordetella, Lyme, influenza: every year, but only if your dog's lifestyle calls for them

So an adult dog might need only leptospirosis and Bordetella one year, and DAPP, rabies, leptospirosis and Bordetella the next. Using the Petfolk prices above, that is $100 in a light year and $192 in a heavy year, before the exam fee.

Puppy vaccines cost more in the first year

Puppies need a series of DAPP shots every 2 to 4 weeks from 6–8 weeks until at least 16 weeks, two leptospirosis doses, and a rabies vaccine. Using the same Petfolk prices, three DAPP doses, two lepto doses and rabies come to $276, plus exam fees at each visit. See how much puppy shots cost and the puppy shot schedule.

Why prices vary so much

• Clinic type: Full-service hospitals charge more than vaccine-only clinics, shelters and mobile events.
• Exam fee: Some clinics include it, others add it.
• Location: Urban clinics charge more.
• Vaccine product: A 3-year rabies vaccine often costs more than a 1-year one; intranasal and injectable Bordetella are priced differently.
• Packages and wellness plans: Many clinics bundle a year of vaccines and exams for a monthly fee.

Where to get cheaper dog vaccines

1. Shelter and humane society clinics, which often charge well below private practice.
2. Pet store and farm store clinics run by licensed veterinarians, such as the PetVet clinics in some Tractor Supply stores.
3. Free vaccine events. Petco Love's "Vaccinated and Loved" program has given away more than four million free vaccines through local shelters since 2021.
4. Your county or city, which may hold low-cost rabies clinics.

See free and low-cost vaccine clinics. Before choosing the cheapest option, remember that a vaccine-only clinic usually skips the full exam, so you still need an annual wellness visit.

Can I save money by giving vaccines myself?

Some non-rabies vaccines are sold in farm stores and online, but rabies vaccines generally must be given by or under a licensed veterinarian to count legally. See can you give your dog vaccines at home.

Frequently asked questions

How much are dog vaccines at Petco or PetSmart?

In-store clinics set their own prices by location and often sell vaccine packages. Call the clinic in your store for the current list and compare it with nearby clinics.

How much do dog vaccines cost without insurance?

The prices above are uninsured prices. Standard accident-and-illness pet insurance doesn't cover vaccines; only optional wellness add-ons do.

Find veterinarians and animal shelters with low-cost clinics near you.

Sources

1. Petfolk: Core vaccines for dogs, schedules and costs (2025)
2. Lemonade: How much do rabies shots cost for dogs? (2026)
3. Adopt a Pet: How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?
4. ConsumerAffairs: How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?
5. Rover: How Much Is a Vet Visit for a Dog? (2025)
6. AAHA: 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines, core and noncore vaccines