Vaccinations are a crucial part of keeping our pets healthy. Not only do vaccines protect your pet, they also protect other animals and even humans in cases where diseases can be transmitted between species.

National veterinary associations and other key leaders recently updated their vaccination guidelines to reflect the most current vaccine knowledge. In general, vaccines are divided into categories of “core,” “non-core”, and “not recommended.” Core vaccines are deemed vital for your pet’s health. Non-core vaccines may or may not be needed for your pet, depending on its risk of exposure to the disease.

Talk to your veterinarian about what vaccines are best for your pet, and be consistent with the shot schedule he or she recommends. No one wants to over-vaccinate, but under-vaccinating can lead to devastating consequences.