Which Dog Vaccines Are Necessary?
Under the American Animal Hospital Association's 2022 guidelines, every dog should get the core vaccines: distemper, canine adenovirus (hepatitis), parvovirus, leptospirosis and rabies. Rabies is also required by law in most states. Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme disease and canine influenza are non-core vaccines your vet recommends based on where your dog lives and goes.
Veterinarians divide dog vaccines into two groups. Core vaccines protect against diseases that are widespread, serious or transmissible to people, and are recommended for every dog. Non-core vaccines are recommended for some dogs depending on lifestyle, geography and exposure. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) publishes the guidelines most US vets follow; the current version is from 2022.
Core vaccines every dog needs
| Vaccine | Protects against | Why it's core |
|---|---|---|
| Distemper (CDV) | Canine distemper, a viral disease affecting the lungs, gut and nervous system | Often fatal, widespread |
| Adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) | Infectious canine hepatitis and adenovirus respiratory disease | Serious liver disease |
| Parvovirus (CPV-2) | Parvo, severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea | Very contagious, survives long in the environment, often fatal in puppies |
| Leptospirosis | Bacterial disease that damages kidneys and liver | Can spread to people; carried by wildlife and found in water and soil |
| Rabies | Rabies virus | Fatal, transmissible to people, legally required in most states |
Distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus are given together in one combination shot, usually called DAPP, DHPP or DA2PP (often with parainfluenza). See what is the DHPP vaccine. Leptospirosis was moved into the core group in the 2022 guidelines, so it is now recommended for all dogs, not just rural ones.
Non-core vaccines (depending on lifestyle)
| Vaccine | Consider it if your dog... |
|---|---|
| Bordetella (kennel cough), often with parainfluenza | Goes to boarding, daycare, grooming, dog parks or training classes |
| Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) | Lives in or travels to areas with Lyme-carrying ticks |
| Canine influenza (H3N2/H3N8) | Mixes with many dogs, especially in areas with outbreaks |
| Rattlesnake toxoid | Hikes or lives where Western diamondback rattlesnakes are common |
AAHA advises reassessing non-core needs at least once a year, because a dog's lifestyle changes. Many boarding kennels and daycares require Bordetella; see vaccines required for dog boarding.
Is the rabies vaccine required by law?
In most states, yes. According to the state law table maintained by Michigan State University's Animal Legal & Historical Center, most states require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies by a set age, commonly 3 to 6 months, and the vaccine generally has to be given by or under a licensed veterinarian. A handful of states leave the requirement to counties and cities. Check your state's page in our state pet law guides.
Are dog vaccines necessary for indoor or small dogs?
Yes, for the core vaccines. Parvovirus survives for long periods in the environment and can be carried indoors on shoes; rabies is a legal requirement and a risk from bats that get into homes; and leptospirosis can be spread by rodents and wildlife in yards and parks. Non-core vaccines are where lifestyle matters most.
Are any vaccines unnecessary?
Giving core vaccines more often than recommended adds little. That is why AAHA recommends DAPP boosters every 3 years for adult dogs after the first-year booster, rather than every year. Your vet can also skip non-core vaccines your dog doesn't need. For dogs with a history of vaccine reactions, ask about pre-treatment, spacing vaccines out, or measuring antibody levels (titers) for DAPP.
Which vaccines are given every year?
Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme and canine influenza are given annually. DAPP is every 3 years after the first-year booster. Rabies is every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine and local law. See how often dogs need vaccines.
What happens if a dog isn't vaccinated?
Besides the disease risk, an unvaccinated dog that bites someone or is exposed to a rabid animal faces strict rules. Under the national rabies compendium, an unvaccinated dog exposed to rabies faces euthanasia or a strict four-month quarantine, while a vaccinated dog gets a booster and 45 days of observation.
Find veterinarians near you to set up your dog's vaccine plan.
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This article is general information for pet owners, not veterinary, legal or financial advice. Prices vary by city and clinic; always ask your veterinarian or provider about your own pet.
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