Ask A Vet: Is Vaccinating My Dog Worth The Risk?

Rabies has a long incubation period, which means your dog could be infected for weeks before showing symptoms, all the while, exposing your household. Without immediate vaccination after exposure, rabies is a death sentence for both dogs and people.

Thankfully, the rabies vaccine is incredibly effective. In the U.S., human rabies cases have dropped to just 1–3 per year, largely due to routine dog vaccination laws. But rabies is still a threat. According to the CDC, hundreds of rabies cases in dogs and cats are reported annually, and wildlife exposure remains common. In parts of the world without access to vaccines, tens of thousands of people die from rabies each year, and shockingly, 40% of them are children under 15.

Are There Risks to Vaccinating Your Dog?

While stories circulate online about dogs harmed by vaccines, serious adverse reactions are extremely rare when high-quality vaccines are used. Most reported side effects are mild, such as temporary soreness or lethargy. Far more dogs die from vaccine-preventable diseases than from the vaccines themselves.

That said, not all vaccines are created equal. Ask your veterinarian about the brand and quality of vaccine they use. Reactions often stem from preservatives or other inactive ingredients — not the active vaccine itself. Choosing a trusted, filtered vaccine from a reputable manufacturer greatly reduces the chance of allergic response.

Which Dog Vaccines Are Essential?

Veterinarians divide vaccines into two categories: core and non-core.

Core Vaccines (Recommended for All Dogs):

These protect against the most common and deadly diseases:

• Rabies – Required by law in most states.

• Canine Parvovirus – A severe, often fatal gastrointestinal illness.

  
  
  

• Canine Distemper – Affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

• Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis) – Causes liver damage and respiratory issues.

Most vets administer the DHPP vaccine (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) as a single combo shot on a routine schedule.

Non-Core Vaccines (Given Based on Lifestyle & Risk):

These vaccines may be recommended depending on your dog’s environment and exposure risk:

• Bordetella bronchiseptica – Causes kennel cough; recommended for dogs that board, groom, or visit daycare.

• Leptospirosis – A bacterial infection from standing water or wildlife urine; zoonotic and potentially fatal.

  
  
  

• Lyme disease – Spread by ticks; important in high-risk geographic areas.

• Canine Influenza – Dog flu outbreaks occur periodically, especially in urban areas or large gatherings.

Your vet will help determine whether your dog needs any of these non-core vaccines.

Do the Benefits of Dog Vaccinations Outweigh the Risks?

In nearly all cases, yes, absolutely.

The risk of a dog suffering a rare reaction is far lower than the risk of them contracting a painful, preventable, often deadly disease. And when it comes to rabies, your family’s health is on the line, too.

Vaccines are not only safe, they save lives.

Vet Tip:

Ask your vet about tailored vaccine schedules, titer testing, and high-quality vaccine brands to further reduce risk and avoid unnecessary boosters.