Ensuring your pet is vaccinated is an essential part of being a responsible pet owner. 

Ninety four per cent of dog owners and 84% of cat owners said their pets had been vaccinated, according to a recent NOAH (National Office of Animal Health) survey. 

This is good news: however, with the survey’s focus on new pet owners and new pets, there is a risk this uptake will drop off as the time for a booster approaches. 

The PDSA’s 2021 PAW report found that 23% of dogs, 39% of cats and half of all rabbits have not received a regular booster.

In NOAH’s survey, some cat and dog owners felt vaccination was unnecessary as their pet was not ill, did not know regular vaccinations were needed. 

For cat owners: expense, pet stress, and a homebound pet top the list of why their cat had not been vaccinated, while, for dog owners, vaccination-risk concerns and a lack of exposure to pets who’ve had diseases are top reasons. 

“It can be easy to forget the positive impact that vaccines have, because they continue to be successful at controlling disease in our pets, meaning we don’t see many cases,” explains Dawn Howard, NOAH Chief Executive. 

“Yet disease remains out there: when vaccination rates fall below certain levels the risk of disease outbreak increases. By keeping the risk of infection at bay in the population, we can protect against animal pain and suffering, and the need for expensive and difficult treatments.

She adds: “That’s why it’s so important as pet owners that we book regular pet health checks with our local veterinary practice and book our animal companions in for vaccinations and boosters to help them live as healthy and happy lives as possible.” 

Your vet can work with you to develop a vaccination plan to suit the particular needs of your pet. 

By talking with them about any concerns, and taking their advice on what’s best to protect our pets against disease, we can show our pets the love and care they deserve. 

#NPM22