Does my indoor dog really need a rabies vaccine every single year?

Mars definitely needs this Rabies shot. The second Rabies shot actually completes the Rabies vaccine series. He would be considered unvaccinated without it. What I recommend is an unadjuvented vaccine for cats. Some clinics have a 3 year one and others only a 1 year due to the expense of the 3 year. Even being strictly indoor Rabies is very important. Bats can get into a house and bite without leaving a large wound. So a 1 year nonadjuvented Rabies is safer than going unvaccinated! Thanks for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

The codes regarding rabies vaccines can vary from place to place. You can look up local ordinances regarding frequency of vaccinations. You can also opt for having a rabies titer done instead of a vaccination. Many people decide to just get the vaccine since it is often less expensive. Ask your vet what your options are. Rabies vaccines are required by law since it is transmissible to humans and is so deadly. Titers may or may not be an option depending on the laws in your area.

I do recommend it. There are cases where a bat infected with rabies has gotten into the house, and the cat inside has ended up with rabies. In addition, what if Oliver accidentally got out? He could get rabies then if he encountered an anima with it. To be safe, yes. You can get certain brands of rabies vaccines once every three years. Discuss this with his vet.

You are correct, the first rabies vaccine is only good for one year. After that, depending on where you live, the next rabies vaccine could be good for three years. Some cities/states still require the rabies vaccine to be given every year though so you need to check what the law is in your area. Your vet will know. All, that being said, with her rabies vaccine being overdue - you need to update it as soon as possible and it may only be marked good for one year because you are overdue. Again, you must check with your vet regarding your local laws. Regardless, you need to get her rabies vaccine booster as soon as you can. Hope this answers your question. Best wishes!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Abby. The rabies vaccine is required by law so this vaccine is absolutely necessary. I recommend keeping her current on her other vaccines as well. The annual exam is just as important to ensure that she stays healthy especially as she ages. I recommend a scheduling an appointment with her veterinarian to discuss risk factors in your area based on her lifestyle. From there, you can decide together on vaccinating her. I hope this information helps!

Yes of course. There is only 1 Rabies vaccine used in most clinics. However, we can make this 1 vaccine good for 3 years if your pet is over the age of 1 and has already received their adult 1 year booster. But the exact same vaccine is given to every pet, whether they are a young puppy, or an adult dog. The difference is that in a young puppy, the rabies vaccine will only protect them for 1 year due to their still developing immune system, but when they are of adult age, it can last for 3 years. I hope that this clarifies things for you. Best wishes with your pet Georgia moving forward. Take care! : )

That is a great question. Vaccinations and the benefits and risks should be discussed with your veterinarian. This is best because your veterinarian knows your pets medical history and whether all the vaccinations are still ok to do based on your pets immune system and current health. Another thing to take into account is your pets exposure to certain diseases. Most pets at least go outside to potty, so that scenario can expose your pet to certain diseases like leptospirosis (found in rainwater and the soil) and distemper (mimics rabies symptoms). And if your pet gets groomed periodically or goes to doggy daycamps or parks, then the Bordetella vaccination would be recommended to protect them from upper airway infections. Rabies however is the only legally required vaccination by law for pets to get. I hope that this information is helpful. Best of luck moving forward.