Petco Rabies Vaccine Clinic in Riverside

Give your pet the complete, compassionate care they deserve.

The rabies vaccine for dogs and cats is one of the core vaccinations necessary for your pet's health and wellness.

The rabies virus spreads to unvaccinated pets through the saliva of infected animals—skunks, raccoons, coyotes and foxes are the usual suspects. It can even spread from pets to humans through broken skin or mucus membranes.

This viral disease causes inflammation in the brain, and rabies symptoms in dogs and cats include muscle spasms, paralysis and death. Rabid pets might seem restless, irritable or aggressive, developing a fever or difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling or seizures.

Giving your pet a rabies shot is vitally important to their health. Due to the lethality and rapid transmission of the virus, the rabies shot for dogs is often required by law, and most states also enforce laws concerning the rabies vaccine for cats. However, even if your state doesn't require you to get the dog or cat rabies vaccine, protecting your pet from this untreatable and deadly disease is essential.

Your veterinarian will recommend your dog's rabies vaccine schedule, and most pups get their first shot around 12 to 16 weeks old. Their second dog rabies vaccine should be given one year after the first and then boosted once every three years.

Your cat's rabies vaccine schedule will be similar, usually when they're a kitten around 8 to 12 weeks old, with a single dose one year after. This is typically followed by boosters either annually or every three years.

Rabies in dogs and cats is 100% fatal but 100% preventable. Give your pet the complete care they need to live a happy and healthy life, and book your appointment at our rabies vaccine clinic today!