As a new puppy owner, one of the first things on your to-do list should be making sure your furry friend gets all their necessary vaccinations. Puppy shots are critical for protecting your dog against dangerous diseases.
But you might be wondering, how much do puppy shots cost at PetSmart?
If you’re considering getting your pup’s vaccines at PetSmart, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll break down:
- The types of puppy shots needed
- How much the shots cost at PetSmart
- Vaccination schedules and timelines
- Answers to common puppy vaccination questions
How Much Do Puppy Shots Cost At Petsmart?
By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect when it comes to getting your puppy vaccinated at PetSmart. Let’s dive in!
What is Puppy Vaccinations Exactly?
First off, let’s talk about why puppy shots are so important. Just like human babies, puppies are born with immature immune systems. This means they are vulnerable to many serious illnesses.
Vaccines work by exposing the puppy to a very small, safe amount of the disease-causing organism.
This allows their immune system to build up antibodies that will protect them if they are exposed to the real thing.
Core puppy vaccines protect against diseases like:
- Rabies
- Distemper
- Adenovirus (Hepatitis)
- Parvovirus
- Parainfluenza
Some puppies may need additional non-core vaccines depending on their lifestyle and risk factors. Your vet can advise on which ones are recommended for your dog.
Now that you understand why puppy shots are a must, let’s look at what they cost at a popular location: PetSmart.
PetSmart Puppy Vaccination Packages and Pricing
PetSmart offers puppy vaccination packages to help you save money compared to purchasing the shots individually. They have two options:
Early Care Puppy Package:
- One-time membership fee: $39.95
- Monthly payment: $26.95
- Total annual cost: $323.40
- Estimated savings over individual services in the first year: $499.52
Early Care Plus Puppy Package:
- One-time membership fee: $39.95
- Monthly payment: $33.95
- Total annual cost: $407.40
- Estimated savings over individual services in the first year: $715.47
These packages include core vaccinations as well as additional services like deworming and a fecal exam. The main difference is the Early Care Plus package includes spaying/neutering.
Keep in mind that prices and offerings may vary between PetSmart locations. It’s always a good idea to contact your local PetSmart vet clinic directly for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
Puppies typically need a series of shots starting at 6-8 weeks old and finishing around 16-20 weeks.
The core vaccine schedule usually looks something like this:
| Age | Vaccines |
|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | Distemper, Parvovirus, Bordetella (optional) |
| 9-11 weeks | DHPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) |
| 12-15 weeks | DHPP, Rabies |
| 16-20 weeks | DHPP, Rabies |
Optional non-core vaccines that may be recommended at 9-11 weeks and 16-20 weeks include:
- Influenza
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme disease
- Bordetella
Your PetSmart vet can work with you to determine the ideal schedule for your puppy based on their needs and risk factors.
Benefits of Vaccinating Your Puppy
You now know that shots protect puppies from dangerous diseases. But what are some other key benefits?
- Vaccinated puppies tend to be healthier overall and have longer lifespans.
- Some core vaccines, like rabies and distemper, can provide lifelong immunity after the initial series.
- You’re helping protect other dogs in the community by reducing the spread of disease.
- Many doggy daycares, boarding facilities, groomers, and even apartments/landlords require proof of vaccinations.
When Is It Safe to Bring My Puppy Around Other Dogs?
It’s crucial to understand that puppies are not fully protected immediately after getting a shot. Their bodies need some time to build immunity.
In general, you should wait until 1-2 weeks after the final round of puppy shots (usually at 16-18 weeks old) before allowing your pup to freely interact with unknown dogs.
However, after their first shots at 6-8 weeks, puppies can safely socialize with dogs that you know are fully vaccinated and healthy.
Talk to your vet about when it would be appropriate to start puppy classes for socialization.
You’ll also want to avoid bringing your puppy to high-traffic dog areas like dog parks, pet stores (except for quick potty breaks), and beaches until they are fully vaccinated.
Make sure to carry them when going to the vet’s office to avoid contact with sick dogs.
What If My Puppy Misses a Vaccine?
If your puppy misses a scheduled vaccine, contact your vet right away to figure out the best course of action. They may have you restart the series or continue from where you left off.
The most important thing is to make sure your puppy gets all the necessary shots, even if off schedule.
Partial vaccination still leaves them vulnerable to disease. Your PetSmart vet can help you get back on track if you’ve fallen behind.
Can I Give My Puppy Shots At Home?
While it may be tempting to try and save money by giving shots yourself, this is not recommended for several reasons:
- Vaccines must be given with the proper dose and technique to be effective.
- The vaccines need to be stored and handled correctly to maintain efficacy.
- Puppies should be examined by a vet before vaccination to make sure they are healthy enough.
- You miss out on having a professional monitor for any adverse reactions.
- It’s critical to stay on the right schedule, which can be tricky to manage on your own.
Bottom line: Leave the shots to the professionals. It’s not worth risking your puppy’s health to try and do them yourself. PetSmart vets are trained to provide the safest and most effective vaccination services.
How Long Until the Shots Take Full Effect?
You now know not to bring your puppy around unknown dogs until they are fully vaccinated. But how long does it take for their bodies to build immunity after getting a shot?
In general:
- Immunity starts to develop within a few hours of vaccination.
- It takes about 1-2 weeks after the final puppy shot for them to be considered fully protected.
- The first shot takes about 7-10 days for immunity to kick in.
- The second shot takes around 2-3 weeks.
- The third shot can take up to 3-4 weeks for full protective effect.
However, keep in mind that every puppy is different. Your vet can give you a better idea of when your particular pup can safely venture out based on their individual vaccine schedule and health.
When Can I Safely Take My Puppy Outside?
The answer to this question depends on what you mean by “outside.” If you’re talking about letting your puppy run around freely at the dog park or beach, you should wait until they are fully vaccinated at 16-18 weeks old.
However, puppies who have had at least one round of shots can typically go outside for short potty breaks as long as you keep them away from high dog traffic areas.
It’s a good idea to carry them from your car into the vet office or PetSmart until fully vaccinated.
After their first shot at 6-8 weeks, you should wait at least 7-10 days before even taking them outdoors to go potty.
Once they have had their second shot around 9-11 weeks, you can start taking them for brief walks in low dog-traffic areas. Just don’t let them interact directly with unknown dogs quite yet.
It’s always best to consult with your PetSmart vet about your puppy’s case. They can give you personalized advice about when it’s safe to start exploring the great outdoors together.
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Summing Up:
Phew! We’ve covered a lot of ground in this article. Let’s do a quick recap of the key points about puppy shots at PetSmart:
- Puppy vaccinations are essential for protecting against dangerous diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus
- PetSmart offers two puppy shot packages ranging from about $320-$400 per year
- Shots are typically given every 3-4 weeks from 6-8 weeks old until 16-20 weeks old
- Your puppy is not fully protected immediately after vaccination – it takes at least 1-2 weeks after the last shot
- Wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated to bring them to high dog traffic areas and to interact with unknown dogs
- Talk to your PetSmart vet about your puppy’s specific vaccination needs and schedule
Getting your puppy vaccinated is a critical part of responsible dog ownership. While it does require a financial investment, it’s well worth the peace of mind knowing your furry family member is protected.
PetSmart makes it easy and affordable to get your puppy off to a healthy start with convenient vaccine packages and experienced vets.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local PetSmart veterinary clinic with any other questions you may have.
Here’s to many happy and healthy years with your new puppy!
