Tailored to Your Pet: Cat and Dog Vaccinations in Aurora & Commerce City, CO

Vaccines are an important part of preventive care, but every pet doesn’t need the exact same schedule. Denver Metro Animal Hospital and Urgent Care provides cat and dog vaccinations with recommendations based on age, lifestyle, health history, and potential exposure risks.

Our teams in Aurora and Commerce City, CO will review what your pet has already received, talk with you about where they go and who they interact with, and build a vaccine plan that makes sense for them. If you’re bringing home a new puppy or kitten, updating an adult pet’s vaccines, or caring for a senior companion, we can help you stay on track without taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Is your pet due for vaccinations? Contact your nearest Denver Metro Animal Hospital and Urgent Care location to find out and schedule.

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veterinarian giving dog vaccine injection

How Do I Know Which Vaccines My Pet Needs and How Often?

Your pet’s vaccine plan depends on their age, species, medical history, lifestyle, and risk of exposure to certain diseases.

Some vaccines are considered core because they protect against serious diseases that most dogs or cats may encounter. Others are recommended based on factors such as boarding, daycare, travel, outdoor access, wildlife exposure, or contact with other animals.

During your pet’s visit, your veterinarian will consider questions such as:

  • How old is your pet?

  • Which vaccines have they already received?

  • Do they spend time around other dogs or cats?

  • Do they board, attend daycare, or visit grooming facilities?

  • Do they travel or spend significant time outdoors?

  • Does their health history affect which vaccines are appropriate?

Puppies and kittens usually need a series of vaccines during their first several months because protection develops over time. Adult pets typically move to booster schedules based on the vaccine and their individual risk factors.

happy Border Collie dog with a tennis ball in its mouth

Which Vaccines Do Dogs Need?

Most dogs receive core vaccines that protect against serious infectious diseases, while additional vaccines may be recommended based on lifestyle and exposure.

Common canine vaccines include:

  • Rabies

  • Distemper

  • Adenovirus

  • Parvovirus

  • Bordetella

  • Leptospirosis

  • Lyme disease

  • Canine influenza

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Which Vaccines Do Cats Need?

Cats also need core vaccines, even if they spend most or all of their time indoors. Even indoor cats can face exposure through an unexpected escape, a new pet entering the household, or contact with wildlife, so your veterinarian will help assess your cat’s actual risk rather than relying on indoor status alone.

Common feline vaccines include:

  • Rabies

  • Feline viral rhinotracheitis

  • Calicivirus

  • Panleukopenia

  • Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)

fluffy brown cat with green eyes laying on a cat tower

What Should I Expect After My Pet’s Vaccination Appointment?

Most dogs and cats return to their normal routine quickly after receiving vaccines. Mild, temporary reactions can occur as the immune system responds.

For a short time after vaccination, you may notice:

  • Mild tiredness

  • Tenderness where the vaccine was given

  • Slightly reduced appetite

  • A small amount of swelling at the injection site

  • Less interest in vigorous activity

These effects are usually mild and short-lived.

More significant vaccine reactions are uncommon, but they can occur. Contact a veterinarian promptly if your pet develops facial swelling, hives, repeated vomiting, severe weakness, collapse, or difficulty breathing after vaccination.

Contact our Aurora or Commerce City team to schedule your pet’s vaccination appointment and find out which vaccines are appropriate for them.

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cat at veterinary appointment to receive vaccine