As pet parents, we all want nothing more than to see our furry friends thrive and stay pet healthy — chase balls, cuddle up for naps, or wag their tails with joy. But keeping our pets healthy goes beyond a good diet and plenty of playtime, ensuring they live long, happy lives.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month and the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the critical role of pet vaccinations and regular veterinary checkups. At AllAboutSpot.com, we’re passionate about improving pet relationships, so let’s dive into why health checks are super important, what diseases vaccines can prevent, and why summer is the perfect time to prioritize pet wellness.

Why Pet Vaccinations and Checkups Matter

Just like humans, pets need regular medical care to stay pet healthy and protected from preventable diseases. Vaccinations are a cornerstone of preventive care, shielding cats and dogs from serious, sometimes deadly, illnesses. Meanwhile, routine vet visits allow veterinarians to catch potential health issues early, often before they become serious problems. Together, vaccinations and checkups form a dynamic duo that keeps tails wagging and purrs pleasant.

National Immunization Awareness Month, observed every August, reminds us to prioritize preventive health measures — not just for ourselves but for our pets too. Summer is also a particularly important time for these checkups, as warmer weather brings increased risks of certain diseases and parasites.

The Power of Pet Vaccinations

Vaccinations work by preparing your pet’s immune system to fight off specific diseases without causing illness. They expose your pet to a safe, controlled version of a virus or bacteria, allowing their body to build immunity. If your pet encounters the real disease later, their immune system is ready to spring into action, either preventing the illness entirely or reducing its severity.

For both dogs and cats, vaccinations are divided into two categories: core vaccines are recommended for all pets due to the widespread or severe nature of the diseases they prevent. Non-core vaccines are given based on your pet’s lifestyle, location, and risk factors. Once established, it is easier to keep them pet healthy.

Common Preventable Diseases in Pets

Rabies is perhaps the most well-known vaccine-preventable disease, and for good reason. This viral disease affects the nervous system and can be transmitted to pets, wildlife, and even humans through bites from infected animals, such as raccoons, bats, or stray dogs. Rabies is a core vaccine for both dogs and cats, and legally required in many areas.

Puppies and kittens typically receive their first rabies vaccine between 12 and 16 weeks of age, followed by boosters every one to three years, depending on local regulations and the type of vaccine used. Since summer often means more outdoor time for pets, their exposure to wildlife that may carry rabies is increased. Keep their rabies vaccination current.

Heartworm disease, caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, is transmitted through mosquito bites and can lead to severe heart and lung damage in dogs and cats. Left untreated, heartworm disease is often fatal, but it’s entirely preventable with regular medication and veterinary oversight.

While heartworm isn’t prevented by a traditional vaccine, monthly heartworm preventatives (available as chewables, topicals, or injections) act like a vaccine by protecting your pet from infection. Annual heartworm testing during vet checkups ensures your pet is parasite free and that the preventative is working. Since mosquitoes thrive in warm weather, it’s peak season for heartworm transmission. Starting or maintaining heartworm prevention in the summer is essential, especially if you live in a warm, humid climate.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs’ respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It’s spread through contact with infected animals or contaminated environments and can be fatal, especially in puppies.

The distemper vaccine is a core vaccine for dogs, typically given as part of the DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus) combination shot starting at 6–8 weeks of age, with boosters every few weeks until 16 weeks, then every one to three years. Distemper can spread in dog parks or other outdoor areas where unvaccinated dogs congregate, which are more popular in summer.

Feline panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that attacks a cat’s immune system, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. It’s especially dangerous for kittens.

The feline panleukopenia vaccine is a core vaccine, typically included in the FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) combination shot given starting at 6–8 weeks, with boosters every few weeks until 16 weeks, then every one to three years. Outdoor cats are at higher risk during the summer due to increased contact with other animals or contaminated environments.

Other Key Diseases

Canine Parvovirus. A highly contagious and often fatal virus that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, especially in puppies. The parvovirus vaccine is part of the DHPP shot.

Feline Leukemia (FeLV). A non-core vaccine recommended for cats who go outdoors, as FeLV is spread through close contact with infected cats and can lead to immune suppression and cancer.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough). A non-core vaccine for dogs who frequent boarding facilities, dog parks, or grooming salons, as this respiratory infection spreads in close quarters.

Regular Vet Checkups

While vaccinations protect against specific diseases, regular vet visits provide a comprehensive health assessment to catch issues early and keep your pet in tip-top shape. At AllAboutSpot.com, we recommend annual checkups for most pets, with biannual visits for senior pets (typically dogs over seven and cats over 10 years) or those with chronic conditions.

Summer is an ideal time for vet checkups because of increased parasite risks, more outdoor adventures, travel requirements, and hot weather. Once your pet has a checkup and their vaccines are current, log into ‘pet records’ where all of your pet’s vital information is kept as a portable data file that can shared and updated on command.

At AllAboutSpot.com, we believe every pet deserves a life full of love, play, and good health. Vaccinations and regular vet checkups are the foundation of that life, protecting your dog or cat from preventable diseases like rabies, heartworm, distemper, and panleukopenia. By prioritizing these measures during National Immunization Awareness Month, we’re all taking a proactive step toward our pets’ well-being.