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How Much Are Dog Shots?

Money Magazine
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Dog vaccinations cost $20–$60 per shot on average, with puppy series priced higher due to multiple doses starting at 6–8 weeks. Core vaccines like rabies and DA2PPv are administered annually or every 1–3 years. Puppies require four initial shots by 18 weeks, including three DA2PPv doses and one rabies vaccine. Non-core vaccines (e.g., Lyme, Bordetella) cost $34–$50 per dose and depend on lifestyle risks. Rabies is the only legally required vaccine in most U.S. states, though Ohio and Hawaii exempt it. Medical exemptions exist in 15 states for pets with health conditions. Low-cost options include shelters, nonprofit clinics, veterinary colleges, and mobile vet services. Some offer discounted packages or free wellness exams with vaccinations. Pet insurance typically excludes vaccines, but wellness add-ons from providers like Healthy Paws or Nationwide may cover preventive care for an extra fee.
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How Much Are Dog Shots?

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How Much Are Dog Shots? By: Jhoni Jackson Jhoni Jackson Writer | Joined May 2022 Jhoni Jackson is a former lead staff writer at Money Group, specializing in personal finance topics such as high-yield savings accounts and auto refinance loans. Her work has been featured on MSN, Yahoo Money, and other major outlets. Has also written: 9 Best Savings Accounts of 2026 5 Best Auto Refinance Companies of 2026 How to Prequalify for a Personal Loan How to Get a Personal Loan With a Cosigner How To Get a Personal Loan in 6 Steps See full bio Editor: Gabriel O.

Rodriguez Cruz Gabriel O.

Rodriguez Cruz Associate Editor | Joined February 2018 Gabriel Rodríguez is an editor at Money who covers financial products, service reviews, and tech. His two main topics of expertise are identity theft protection software and crypto, specifically crypto wallet and crypto exchanges. Has also written: Watch Out for Winter Storm Repair Scams This Week 8 Best Background Check Sites of February 2026 6 Best Identity Theft Protection Services of February 2026 7 Best Crypto Wallets of February 2026 AT&T Settlement Deadline Is Thursday: How to Claim Up to $7,500 See full bio Updated by: Andrea Agostini Ferrer Andrea Agostini Ferrer Staff Writer | Joined August 2020 Andrea has been writing for Money Group since 2020. Her articles, which have been featured across a wide variety of publications, have helped our readers navigate multiple areas of personal finance including credit, loans and insurance. She's currently part of our team of insurance experts, specializing in travel and pet insurance. Has also written: When Are Taxes Due? 8 Best Pet Insurance Companies of February 2026 7 Best Travel Insurance for Seniors How Credit Counseling Can (and Can’t) Help With Your Debt Freedom Debt Relief Review See full bio Published: Feb 20, 2026 6 min read How Much Are Dog Shots?: Quick AnswerWhile dog vaccination costs vary according to the vaccine and where you get your dog vaccinations, the average cost per shot is between $20 and $60. Puppy vaccination costs are slightly higher because they should follow a puppy vaccination schedule, which requires a series of vaccinations and boosters beginning at six to eight weeks of age. How much are vaccines for dogs? The cost of vaccines for dogs ranges from $27 to $96 per vaccine, according to Care Credit, a financing service often used for veterinary expenses. Prices vary according to the specific vaccine — a rabies vaccine typically costs less than a Lyme vaccine, for example — as well as the veterinary practice you choose. As veterinary care gets more expensive each year, preventive health services turn evermore crucial. Vaccines help your dog stay healthy, decreasing vet bill costs and lowering your chances of having to make an expensive emergency vet visit. “Vaccines play a critical role in protecting dogs from highly contagious and often life-threatening diseases,” says Dr. Zac Pilossoph, consulting veterinarian at Healthy Paws pet insurance. “Especially in puppies, vaccines help stimulate their developing immune systems to build protection early on.” Read on for a cost breakdown of adult dog vaccines as well as a puppy's first-year vaccination schedule. Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdHealthy Paws Pet Insurance covers up to 90% of Vet ExpensesClick your state to get a quote. Enter your pet's name, breed and birthday and start protecting them head to paw.HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexasView Plans Cost of core vaccines Essential vaccines, such as the rabies vaccine and the DA2PPv vaccine, are considered core vaccines. These are typically applied on a yearly basis. Prices for core canine vaccines Vaccine Average cost per dose Frequency Rabies $35 Every 1 to 3 years DA2PPv* $42 Every year Cost of non-core vaccines Non-core, or lifestyle vaccines, are administered based on your pet's health, lifestyle and age. For instance, your vet may recommend the Lyme vaccine if your dog lives in a tick-prone area, or the Bordetella vaccine if your dog frequently socializes with other dogs at parks or boarding facilities. Prices for non-core canine vaccines Vaccine Average cost per dose Frequency Kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica)$38 Every six months to yearly Lyme disease (Borrealia burgdorferi) $50 Two doses, two to three weeks apart, then yearly Leptospirosis (Leptospirosa bacteria)$49 Two doses, two to four weeks apart, then yearly Rattlesnake vaccine (Crotalus atrox toxoid - CAT)$34 Two shots, one month apart, then yearly How much do puppy shots cost? The cost of puppy shots starts at $20 and goes up depending on the type of vaccine, where you live and whether you go to a private veterinary practice, low-cost clinic or Humane Society. Puppies need four shots by the time they’re about four months old: one DA2PP (for canine distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza) at six to eight weeks old, a second DA2PP at 10 to 12 weeks and a third DA2PP at 14 to 16 weeks, plus one rabies vaccine. The DA2PP vaccine is also known as the DHPP, DAPP and 5-in-1 vaccine. Your veterinary clinic may offer discounted pricing on puppy shots when you purchase vaccination packages. Some clinics also offer a free wellness exam, deworming and heartworm tests. Note that you may also be required to pay for a routine fecal exam to test for parasites and a biohazard disposal fee, typically less than $5 per vaccine. Cost of puppy shots Puppy vaccination prices Core vaccines Non-core vaccines Average cost Puppy age DA2PPv Bordetella (kennel cough) $20 - $60 6 to 8 weeks DA2PPv Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, canine influenza $20 - $60 10 to 12 weeks DA2PPv, rabies Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, canine influenza, rattlesnake vaccine $40 - $105 14 to 18 weeks DA2PPV, rabies Bordetella (kennel cough), leptospirosis, Lyme disease, canine influenza, rattlesnake vaccine $40 - $105 Annual Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdThe best pet deserves the best coverageGet up to 90% reimbursement on vet bills with Healthy Paws — quality coverage tailored to your pet’s needs. Get a quote now. VIEW PLANS What dog vaccines are required? Dr. Julie Hunt, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, says that there is one legally required canine vaccine: the rabies vaccine. All dogs 12 weeks of age or older are required to get the rabies vaccine. Dr. Hunt adds that veterinarians recommend vaccinating most dogs, at least 6-8 weeks of age, for distemper virus, adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza virus. These vaccines are packaged together in a combination vaccine called the DA2PP vaccine, to be administered in a single injection. Ohio and Hawaii are the only two states that do not legally require residents to vaccinate pets against rabies. Additionally, imported dogs are exempt from mandatory rabies immunization in Georgia, and in Texas, police service animals aren’t required to be vaccinated against rabies. Medical exemptions for rabies immunization are allowed in the following states: Alabama California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Illinois Maine Massachusetts Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New York Oregon Pennsylvania Vermont Virginia Wisconsin Where can I get my dog vaccinated? You can get your dog vaccinated at a veterinary office. However, if you want to save money on pet costs, look for free or low-cost pet vaccines through the following: State and city-run animal shelters - You may be able to find vaccinations and other preventative care at lower prices in local shelters. Nonprofit organizations - Animal advocacy organizations like the Humane Society often organize free vaccination events or offer discounted pricing on vaccines. Veterinary medicine colleges - Look to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for a list of veterinary colleges with low-cost clinics. Mobile vet clinics - Veterinary “hospitals on wheels” operate out of vans, bringing often low-cost basic medical care and spay and neuter services directly to you. Charity programs - For example, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation offers grants to pet owners in need of financial assistance. Does pet insurance cover vaccines? Pet insurance policies do not cover vaccines. However, most pet insurance companies offer supplemental wellness plans (also called routine care packages or add-ons) that include vaccines, spay/neuter surgery and other preventative pet care. These include Healthy Paws, Pumpkin, Figo, Pets Best, Nationwide, Lemonade, AKC, ASPCA, Wagmo, Fetch, MetLife and ManyPets How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost FAQsWhat is Bordetella vaccination for dogs?chevron-downchevron-upThe Bordetella vaccination, also known as the kennel cough vaccine, helps prevent canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC). While Bordetella is a non-core vaccine, vets often recommend this extra protection for dogs who are frequently in contact with other dogs at doggy daycares, dog parks or other places.Which dog vaccines are absolutely necessary?chevron-downchevron-upDog vaccines that are absolutely necessary include the rabies vaccine and the DA2PPv, also known as DHPP, which protects against distemper, hepatitis, kennel cough, parvovirus and parainfluenza.When should a puppy get shots?chevron-downchevron-upA puppy should get its first round of shots at six to eight weeks of age. Its second round should be around 10 to 12 weeks, and the third at 14 to 18 weeks. Note that if your puppy is older than any of these age ranges and hasn’t received any shots, it’s never too late to get the puppy started on a vaccine schedule. Summary of Money’s How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost? While dog vaccination costs vary depending on the vaccine and the provider, the average cost per shot is between $20 and $60. Puppy vaccination costs are slightly higher because they require a series of vaccinations and boosters during the first year, starting at six to eight weeks of age. Once your dog completes its first-year vaccination schedule, they will need yearly core vaccinations, which include the DA2PPv vaccine and the rabies vaccine, on top of any non-core vaccinations that your veterinarian recommends. You can find free and low-cost vaccinations through animal advocacy organizations, mobile pet clinics, local shelters and low-cost vaccination clinics. Some pet insurance companies also offer wellness riders that cover vaccines and other preventative care.

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