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Dog Vaccination Cost

How Much Does Dog Vaccination Cost?

Medium: $10-$100 per year

High: $20-$150 the first year

Typical costs:

The average cost for dog vaccinations ranges from $20 to $150 in the first year, and from $10 to $100 per year afterward.
The cost varies based on which vaccinations are given and whether they are done at a veterinarian's office or a low-cost vaccination clinic run by a local government or humane organization.

What should be included:

Puppies usually are vaccinated at two, three, and four months of age. Unvaccinated adult dogs receive two rounds of vaccinations about three weeks apart. After that, dogs usually receive boosters annually.
The basic shots -- for distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and sometimes leptospirosis and coronavirus -- usually are administered together in a combination vaccine. The rabies vaccine is given separately in accordance with local laws.
PetEducation.com offers an overview of dog vaccinations.

Additional costs:

Some dog daycare facilities or kennels require vaccinations not included in the standard round of shots, such as for bordatella, known as kennel cough. In certain parts of the country, veterinarians recommend extra vaccinations, such as for Lyme disease. Extra vaccinations usually cost about $10 to $15 or more each.

Discounts:

Most humane societies and shelters include the first rounds of vaccinations in the adoption fee.
Tip: It is possible to order vaccines online and vaccinate the dog yourself, but be sure you order from a reliable company. DrsFosterSmith.com has a guide on how to vaccinate a pet.
Depending on local laws, rabies vaccinations can now be given on a three-year schedule rather than yearly.

Shopping for dog vaccination:

Vaccinations protect dogs against life-threatening diseases, but side effects can include injection-site swelling, or fever and sluggishness that resolve within a day or two or, rarely, a serious allergic reaction. VeterinaryPartner.com has a primer on allergic reactions. And the American Veterinary Medical Association lists the benefits and risks of vaccinations.
To find a good veterinarian, ask fellow dog owners, breeders or humane associations. Or, search at the American Veterinary Medical Association website to find your state's veterinary medical association for a referral. Then ask how long the veterinarian has been practicing and how much continuing education he or she receives per year. Tour the clinic to check on cleanliness, attitude, policies and prices. VeterinaryPartner.com provides guidelines on how to find and which questions to ask a veterinarian.

Article updated September 2007