How often do dogs need rabies shots?

Annually according to the vet.

I think we had to do it annually for their licenses. But we have a lot of rabies in the area. I think some places allow every three years. And if they mess with a rabid animal they need an immediate booster shot. Yeah, think of picking up two Golden Retrievers and putting them in your car after a bout with a rabid skunk. All of us smelled delightful.

Rabies shots can be good for up to 3 years, but it is recommended to get them every year. Mainly because it reduces your liability if your dog bites someone.

Tetanus shots in humans have to be given more than once, so it is not just something done for animals.

Didn’t think of tetanus shots, @WestRiverrat. That’s true.

As a pup they get one that lasts one year. As an adult it’s every three years.

So, our vet saying they have to have one every year is just trying to take advantage of us?

They are normally done annually, but there are multiyear shots available.

The first rabies given is for one year, and then boosters occur every 3 years, although some states may vary. In rabies endemic areas, some states require boosters more often.

By the way, the other vaccines that your dog gets don’t last forever – they also require boosters.

Rabies Laws by State

I believe the live virus the preferential vaccine lasts only one year. I use the live virus vaccine on my 2 cats annually as I live in a high risk rabies zone with abundant wildlife.
Certain other vaccines can go several years but rabies is very important to keep up on annually.

Multi-year shots are being phased out because many vets believe they leave too much to chance. A three-year vaccination may wear off months before the end of the third year, depending on the animal. This leaves them defenseless against rabies. Also, it is hard enough to remember every year and get an animal to the vet in time. Every three years will be much more difficult to remember.

In Missouri, USA, every 3 yrs. It costs about $15 per animal.

It is annually to do their shot… According ot my vet they don’t do the multi-year shots because it can have adverse effects to the animal. So I go once a year to have them done.

@creative1 The vaccine used for a three year and a one year are exactly the same thing – the difference is merely what state law allows and package tracking/serial numbers. Vaccinating more often rather than less often actually increases the possibility of adverse effects (reactions at the injection site, systemic allergic reactions, etc). Those types of reactions are quite rare for the (very safe) rabies vaccine, so I would ask for an explanation of their comment.

I think the multi year shots have an adverse effect on the vet’s bottom line. Even the manufacturers of the vaccines say they are good for three years. The safest, but not cheapest, is to have blood titers done to determine when they need another shot.

In many states, one of the local humane societies offers free (or $5 vaccines) annually usually for all of one particular month. When I lived in Philly, it was the Month of May.

Its also done for low cost here. in Mich. But I’m unsure of which month.

Check with your local humane society to see if they’re offering something similar.