June 2, 2026
What vaccinations does your pet need?
You’ve just welcomed a new furry friend into the family – congratulations! But what vaccinations do you need to give them to make sure they stay healthy?
How do vaccines protect my pet?
Vaccines prepare the body’s immune system against the invasion of disease-causing organisms.
If a pet is ever exposed to the real disease, their immune system is now prepared to recognize and fight it off entirely or reduce the severity of the illness.
Vaccines are very important, but not every animal needs to be vaccinated for every disease. As a responsible pet parent, you need to discuss with your veterinarian which vaccines they recommend for your companion animal.
Some factors to consider include their age, medical history, environment, travel habits and lifestyle. Most veterinarians will highly recommend administering the following core vaccines to healthy companion animals.
Core vaccines
Core vaccines are considered vital to the majority of furry friends because of the risk of exposure, severity of disease or transmissibility to humans.
Dogs
- Canine parvovirus
- Distemper
- Canine hepatitis
- Rabies
Non-core (depending on dog’s exposure risk)
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Borrelia burgdorferi
- Leptospira bacteria
Cats:
- Panleukopenia
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline herpesvirus type I (rhinotracheitis)
- Rabies
Non-core (depending on the cat’s lifestyle)
- Feline leukemia virus
- Bordetella
- Chlamydophila felis
Be sure to consult your veterinarian for the vaccines your furry friend will require.
Making basic vet care more accessible
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is on a mission to make veterinary care more accessible for pets and the people who love them. Many of these vaccines are available at our veterinary clinics in Barrie, York Region, Durham Region and Sudbury, making it easier for pet families across the province to access essential preventive care.
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need.
