As a dog owner, you want your furry friend to be healthy and happy. Regular vet visits, a balanced diet, and exercise are all important aspects of maintaining your dog’s health. However, there is one aspect of pet health that is often overlooked: vaccinations. Vaccinations are a crucial component of a dog’s preventative healthcare, especially for those who frequent dog boarding and doggy daycare facilities. You may have wondered why most of these facilities require all pets to be vaccinated. Is it really that important?
In this blog post, we’ll explore why vaccinations are vital for dogs that go to daycare and boarding and why they’re essential for the safety and health of all dogs involved.
What Are Dog Vaccines, and Why Are They Important?
Just like human vaccines, pet vaccinations are injections of modified or inactivated viruses or bacteria that stimulate a dog’s immune system to produce antibodies against these pathogens. These antibodies help protect dogs from contracting and spreading diseases.
Vaccines are essential for preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases among dogs, some of which can be fatal or cause severe illness. When it comes to dog boarding and daycare, the risk of infectious disease transmission is higher than usual. Dogs that attend these facilities are in close contact with other dogs, and this close contact can increase the spread of diseases. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that all dogs attending these facilities are up-to-date with their vaccinations to prevent the spread of diseases.
This is why many facilities, such as dog daycares require all pets to be fully vaccinated in order to be accepted.
General Vaccinations That Are Usually Required for Dog Boarding and Daycare
Many dog boarding and daycare facilities require specific vaccinations to ensure the health and safety of all dogs in their care. Some common vaccinations that are required include:
1. Rabies Vaccine
The rabies vaccine is required by law in most states, and it’s essential for dogs that attend boarding and daycare facilities. Rabies is a fatal disease that can be transmitted to humans, and dogs that come into contact with wildlife are at risk of contracting the disease.
2. Canine Distemper Vaccine
The distemper vaccine is essential for preventing the spread of the distemper virus, which is highly contagious and can cause severe respiratory, neurological, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Dogs that attend boarding and daycare facilities that don’t require pets to be vaccinated are at increased risk of contracting distemper because of their close contact with other unvaccinated dogs.
3. Bordetella Vaccine (aka Kennel Cough)
The Bordetella vaccine, also known as the kennel cough vaccine, is essential for dogs that attend boarding and daycare facilities. Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can spread quickly in facilities where dogs are in close contact.
4. Canine Parvovirus
The canine parvovirus vaccine is also essential for dogs that attend boarding and daycare facilities. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that attacks a dog’s gastrointestinal system, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Dogs that attend these facilities are at a higher risk of contracting the virus due to their close proximity to other infected dogs. It’s crucial to ensure that your dog is up-to-date with their canine parvovirus vaccine, as the virus can spread quickly in facilities where dogs are in close contact. Contact your veterinarian for more information on when your dog should receive the vaccine.
5. Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Canine Hepatitis Virus or Adenovirus-2 is a viral disease that affects dogs and can cause symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and in severe cases, liver failure. The virus is spread through contact with infected urine, feces, or saliva of infected dogs.
Benefits of Vaccinations for Dogs that Attend Boarding and Daycare Facilities
There are several benefits of vaccinations for dogs that attend boarding and daycare facilities, including:
1. Protection Against the Spread of Diseases
Vaccinations protect dogs against infectious diseases that can be contracted in boarding and daycare facilities, reducing the risk of severe illness and death.
2. Increases Safety for All Dogs
When all dogs attending boarding and daycare facilities are up-to-date with their vaccinations, the risk of disease transmission is significantly reduced. This ensures the safety and health of all dogs in the facility.
3. Provides Peace of Mind to Owners
Knowing that your furry friend is protected against infectious diseases while in a boarding or daycare facility provides you and other pet owners with peace of mind.
Importance of Ensuring Your Dog is Up-to-Date with Vaccinations
To ensure that your dog is up-to-date with their vaccinations, it’s important to schedule regular appointments with your veterinarian. Your vet can recommend a vaccination schedule that’s appropriate for your dog’s needs. Some vaccinations require boosters or updates (typically once a year), so it’s important to stay on top of your dog’s vaccination schedule. Click here to learn more about the importance of pet vaccinations.
Your Local Dog Daycare & Dog Boarding Facility
Safe Journey Dog Boarding is Portland, Oregon’s premier place for dog overnight cage-free boarding and doggy daycare. At Safe Journey, your fur babies will always be free to roam, play, and socialize 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. With us as your daycare providers, you don’t have to worry about the quality of care your pet is receiving after drop-off. Our dog boarding/doggy daycare facility provides a safe, comfortable, relaxed, home-style environment for your dog. This minimizes your and your dog’s stress and anxiety while you are away. Our high-frequency dog visitor clientele helps ensure that your dog is able to hang out with a well-mannered dog pack. Many of your dog’s playmates at Safe Journey have spent hundreds and even thousands of days here with us. Check out our website for our daycare packages.
What we offer:
- A cage-free environment
- A fun environment for your pet
- A comfortable environment for your pet
- An outdoor space for your dog to play
- Indoor facilities
- Off-leash, open-play environment
- Overnight boarding services
and more! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to check out our FAQ or call us today.
Relevant FAQ:
Are dogs at Safe Journey required to be vaccinated?
Yes, all dog parents are required to submit vaccination records prior to drop-off. If you have questions about what vaccines we require, you can find them on this page here.