Why vaccinating your pet matters
World Immunization Week runs from 24-30 April, and on 20 April each year there’s a special awareness day for World Animal Vaccination Day, so it’s quite fitting that we’ll be covering vaccines in this month’s post. Every responsible pet owner knows that it is important to keep your pet’s vaccine schedule up to date. But what a lot of people don’t know is that by vaccinating their pets, they are also protecting their families!
Why we vaccinate
By boosting the immune system, vaccination prevents serious diseases that can cause a lot of suffering for animals and even be fatal. If you pet happens to catch a disease they’ve been vaccinated for, they usually suffer much milder symptoms and have a higher chance of surviving the more serious illnesses. Today in Europe, Vets report rarely seeing certain diseases that used to be very common, and still remain a threat elsewhere around the world – all thanks to having vaccines available and pet parents smart enough to follow vet advice. It is really important to follow the vaccination schedule recommended by your vet to avoid the possibility of a gap in your furry-friend’s protection.
But did you know that not only cats and dogs can get vaccinated? There are vaccines available for rabbits, ferrets and even some pet bird species!
Vaccines matter from an early age
Vaccinating young pets is extremely important for their welfare, as they help to make sure they’ll grow up healthy and aren’t at risk of certain diseases when they’re vulnerable. Since their immune systems aren’t fully developed until around 6 months old, they are particularly susceptible to diseases during the first few months of their lives. This is valid for not only puppies and kittens but also for all fur babies. Ask your vet if you have any questions on how to care for your pet in the early stages of life.
For more information on pet health care, check our Pillars of Pet Care Page.
