I'm a vet. Pet vaccine skepticism is barking up the wrong tree. |

A dangerous form of medical skepticism is no longer confined to human health – it has quietly spread to America’s pets. As unwarranted doubt about vaccines grows across the country, more pet owners are considering skipping routine immunizations.

That exposes dogs and cats to preventable, often deadly, diseases. The consequences are already being felt in veterinary clinics across the country.

A 2023 survey found that 52% of pet owners have negative views of dog vaccines, with more than one-third believing the false claim that vaccines could cause canine autism. Sentiment around the lifesaving tool has almost certainly soured further since that poll was conducted.

Vaccine skepticism has mutated to a new form

The reemergence of measles, a virus thought to have been effectively eradicated among Americans, underscores what is at stake. There were outbreaks across the country in 2025, including in Texas and South Carolina.

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The common thread? It’s occurring in areas where human vaccination rates are sliding. Now, the United States is set to lose its official measles elimination status, which we’ve had since 2000. 

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While pet infections are not monitored as closely as human virus cases, it’s not difficult to imagine a similar trend playing out among animals. The same people who are persuaded by a podcast or an X post to skip vaccinations for themselves or their children are likely to apply the same misguided logic to their dogs and cats.

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Anecdotally, I am hearing more and more stories from veterinarians who are forced to justify the value of pet vaccinations to their clients.

On this topic, the science is settled. Like in humans, mountains of research conducted over decades prove that pet inoculations meaningfully prevent common, often fatal, diseases in dogs and cats.

Dog, cat vaccines offer long-lasting protection with few side effects

Studies consistently find that vaccinated pets are strongly protected against illnesses like parvovirus, distemper and panleukopenia, among others.

Early-life shots are particularly important because maternal antibodies wane. Staged vaccine schedules for puppies and kittens are specifically designed to cover this high-risk window.

Without these timely doses, it's reasonable to conclude that young animals will experience the highest mortality rates from vaccine-preventable infections.

The protection is also long-lasting. In one classic controlled study, cats vaccinated for panleukopenia – which attacks otherwise healthy cells in places like the intestines, bone marrow and lymph nodes – maintained immunity for more than seven years.

The health benefits of immunizations carry minimal risk. Large cohort studies involving more than a million animals report adverse side effects in only 0.4% of dogs and 0.5% of cats.

The few negative reactions that occur are typically mild, such as lethargy, a mild fever or localized swelling. Serious, long-term complications are exceedingly more rare, by orders of magnitude.

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Human lives are at stake here, too

A well-immunized pet population also benefits broader public health efforts. The rabies vaccinefor dogs and cats is the single most effective way to prevent human deaths from the virus. 

Modeling and epidemiological studies show that vaccinating roughly 70% of canines can dramatically reduce or locally eliminate dog-spread rabies, which otherwise kills thousands of people every year globally. One study suggests a pet-focused rabies reduction strategy is also more economical in the short run than reactively treating people who have been exposed.

Responsible pet owners want what is best for their furry family members. While misinformation about modern medicine has gained traction, it’s important to know the facts. Vaccines save lives – for pets and the people who care for them.

Dr. Thomas Edling is the chief veterinary officer and animal ethicist at the American Humane Society.