There is a lot to consider when it comes to your pet’s health. In this article we give you a quick guide to the important aspects of vaccinations, deworming and tick and flea treatment. You should always consult your vet (especially regarding vaccinations) but we hope this gives you a good idea of what to expect and when.
Vaccines
Our Absolute Pets vet, Dr Cooper, advises to vaccinate against common, life-threatening, incurable diseases to protect pets from catching and spreading them. What and when to vaccinate depends on lifestyle and exposure which your own vet is best qualified to assess. However, below are some general guidelines on core, legally required* and strongly recommended vaccines.
| Cat or dog |
Age |
Vaccine |
| Dog |
8 weeks |
Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza virus |
| Cat |
8 weeks |
Rhinotracheitis virus, Calicivirus, Panleukopaenia |
| Dog and cat |
12 weeks |
Boost of 8 week vaccinations and first rabies vaccine* |
| Dog and cat |
16 weeks |
Boost of 12 week vaccinations and second rabies vaccine* |
| Dog and cat |
12 months later... |
Booster |
| Dog and cat |
Every 1-3 years thereafter |
Booster |
*Rabies vaccination is a legal requirement
Other recommendations
For dogs:
Kennel cough vaccination is required by most dog day care facilities or kennels and you can choose between:
- Intranasal vaccination - 3 days before going to a kennel or day care (then annually), or
- injectable vaccination - first 4 weeks before going to a kennel or day care followed by a booster 2 weeks later and then annually.
For cats:
Dr Cooper also strongly recommends testing cats for FIV/FeLV and vaccinating against FeLV. The first vaccination would be immediately after testing followed by a booster 2 weeks later, then annually.
Deworming
Worms can cause many health problems in pets as they steal essential nutrients and can put your pet at risk of intestinal problems like diarrhoea, anaemia and skin issues. But don’t worry, deworming is easy and there are some excellent products on the market to choose from.
| Cat and dogs |
Age |
| ✔ |
8 weeks (first treatment) |
| ✔ |
12 weeks (second treatment) |
| ✔ |
16 weeks (third treatment) |
| ✔ |
Every three months thereafter* |
*Some flea control products contain a mild dewormer (for example, Revolution). If using these products monthly, deworming can be stretched to every six months.
Deworming products to look out for:
Tick and flea treatment
Pets should be protected against ticks and fleas all year round, particularly in many areas in South Africa where there is no dormant period due to humidity (like the Western Cape). They carry nasty parasites so it’s worth adding a note to your calendar to remind you about your cat or dog’s regular treatment.
| Cat or dog |
Product recommendation |
How often |
Benefits |
| Cat + Dog |
Revolution |
Monthly |
Suitable for pets with flea allergies as the fleas don’t need to bite before they die. Quickly and easily applied to the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades Quick-drying, odour-free, non-greasy. |
| Dog |
NexGard |
Monthly |
Comes as a tasty chew. Fast-acting formulation which is safe and effective for 30 days. |
| Cat + Dog |
Frontline |
Monthly |
Suitable for pets with flea allergies as the fleas don’t need to bite before they die. Quickly and easily applied to the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades Quick-drying, odour-free, non-greasy. |
| Dog |
Bravecto |
3 months |
Note: For use in dogs from 8 weeks of age only.
One tasty chew with 12 weeks of flea and tick prevention.
|
To help you keep track of your pets vaccinations, deworming and tick and flea treatment, download this easy-to-follow Routine Care Guide.
Get expert advice
We hope this has been helpful to you but we do advise you to contact your vet or ask us in store should you need any more information.
Happy and healthy,
The Absolute Pets team