When Can My Puppy Go Outside After Vaccination?

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You’ve brought home your new furry bundle of joy, taken him for his first health check and possibly his first or second round of vaccinations. Everything is new and you may have questions – when it comes to puppy vaccinations a very common one being “when can my puppy go outside after vaccination?”

Bringing home a new puppy is can be a really exciting (and stressful) time for the whole family. There’s a lot you will need to adjust to, as well as new routines to digest and appointments to keep.

You’re probably keen to show off your new addition to friends and family, and have him join you on outdoor adventures – but it’s important to know when it’s safe for your puppy to go outside and what the risks are.

What Age Do Puppies Get Their Jags?

Puppies need two initial sets of vaccinations – one round at eight weeks of age and another at ten. Your vet will be able to advise you on the best timings of puppy vaccinations – it’s best to take along all of your pet’s paperwork that you received from his breeder at the time of purchase. This will detail your pup’s exact age and whether any vaccinations were performed by the breeder.

Bear in mind that after the initial round of puppy vaccinations your pet will need a booster jag at 6 or 12 months of age.

When can my Puppy Go Outside After Vaccination?

After your pup’s second round of initial vaccinations, he will be able to go out for walks with you one week later. Although it’s tempting to take him out earlier, it is incredibly important to listen to your vet’s advice. Puppy vaccinations are vital for helping your pup avoid infectious diseases by forming a resistance to viruses, but they take a little while to work properly. If you take your pup for a walk before one week from his second vaccination, you run the risk of exposing him to a dangerous virus that he will not yet be equipped to deal with.

The only way to make sure your puppy gets the best start in life is to make sure he receives his vaccinations on time and that you avoid taking him out in public until one week has passed from his second vaccination.

What Is The Risk If I Take My Puppy Out Too Early?

Although it might seem harmless to let your pup go out for a walk early, doing so before he’s had a chance to build his immunity exposes him to all kinds of dangerous viruses and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

The vaccinations your puppy receives at eight and ten weeks protects against viruses like Canine Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Canine Distemper, as well as bacterial infections such as Leptospirosis.

Parvovirus is an extremely dangerous and highly contagious virus that can attack a dog’s intestinal lining, stopping them from being able to digest food properly. In many cases, Parvovirus is fatal, especially for puppies who aren’t strong enough to fight the infection. Parainfluenza is a respiratory virus that can lead to kennel cough, and Canine Distemper can infect the central nervous system, leading to seizures and is also potentially fatal.

These illnesses are avoidable if the proper precautions are taken, but unfortunately, every year dogs arrive in veterinary practices throughout the UK with illnesses related to these viruses. That’s why it is so important to make sure your puppy is vaccinated and that you give those vaccinations the proper time to work.

Canine viruses are spread through contact with urine, faeces, blood and saliva from infected dogs. Letting your puppy out on a walk before it’s safe to do so means risking him coming into contact with this infectious material. Even in places that seem safe, viruses like Parvovirus can live in the soil for up to a year and are resistant to weather and temperature fluctuations. It just isn’t worth it to take the chance – which is why vets recommend waiting the full week after vaccination before taking your pup out in public.

When Can My Puppy Go Out In The Garden?

Letting your puppy out in the garden is important for toilet training – establishing good routines early will make the process a lot quicker in the long run. That said, you may be wondering “when can my puppy go out in the garden?”

Even though it’s important to wait until your pup’s immunity has been built up before you take him out in public, you may be okay to let your puppy roam your own private garden as long as a few conditions are met.

First, it’s important to wait until after your pup has had his first round of vaccinations, even before letting them out in your garden. This is because your garden still poses a risk – other animals such as foxes can carry disease that can be passed on to dogs. Although the first round of vaccinations alone won’t completely protect them from risk, it gives their immune system a boost. Most owners weigh the risk of infectious diseases from their garden against the risk of left-too-late toilet training – if in doubt you’re best to consult your vet.

It’s important to make sure that no unvaccinated dogs have been in your garden in the past before letting your pup out. Remember that Canine Parvovirus has been known to live in soil for as long as a year. If you’re unsure, wait until after your puppy is fully vaccinated.

How Do I Socialize My Puppy Before Vaccinations?

Many new owners know the importance of socializing puppies from an early age. Teaching good doggy manners is crucial to ensure your pup grows up to be a well-adjusted adult that plays nice with other dogs and isn’t fearful or aggressive. With that said, you may be wondering how this can be achieved without the risk of exposing your pup to viruses – “how do I socialize my puppy before vaccinations?”

The “magic window” of dog socialization starts to close after around 14 weeks of age, so it’s important to get in as much experience of other dogs and animals as early as possible. In recent years puppy socialization classes have started popping up – places you can take your pup to meet other young dogs and their owners. Your vet may recommend these to you when you take your pup in for his first health check.

Because puppy socialization classes only allow young dogs who haven’t had the chance to be infected by viruses, it is generally safe to let your pup mix and mingle – as long as they have had their first round of jags. Ask your vet if you are at all unsure or need advice about puppy socialization classes.

Can I Let My Puppy Play With My Other Pets?

If you already have a dog in your house and you want to introduce him to your pup, there’s a little bit of preparation you have to put in first.

Make sure your other dog’s vaccinations are up to date before you bring your new pup home. Other pets like cats should be fine to introduce to your pup – just get the advice of your vet if you are unsure.

Give your puppy the very best start in life by making sure they are vet checked early and receive all the right puppy vaccinations. If you’re unsure about your puppy’s vaccination schedule or just need friendly advice, don’t hesitate to give the team at Conanvet a ring – 01349 861 203 or e-mail us at info@conanvet.co.uk