Do Dogs Need Rabies Shot to Get Groomed?

Do Dogs Need Rabies Shot to Get Groomed?

Are you planning to take your new dog for a quick grooming session? It is important to have your dog’s vaccination record up to date. Dogs need all the important core vaccination shots before grooming including rabies, parvo, and distemper vaccine.

Getting your dog vaccinated is the best preventive measure you can take to ensure the safety of your dog. It not only reduces the chances of catching viral infections but also retains the biosecurity of the grooming place.

Importance of Rabies Shots Before Grooming

Vaccines play a huge role in the life of dogs and cats. Rabies is a deadly disease in dogs as well as in humans. In the US, vaccination of every dog is required by law, and checking the vaccination status is mandatory for every groomer.

Groomers get a lot of dogs for regular grooming sessions. Admission of one unvaccinated dog can be risky for all the other ones. Sometimes, dogs don’t comply well during grooming and might accidentally bite the groomer.

That’s why the rabies vaccine is compulsory for every dog that steps in for their trimming and baths. Not only that, every groomer must have his annual vaccination shot for the safety of both pet and person.

Should You Vaccinate Your Dog Before Grooming?

It is important to know that US law doesn’t permit any grooming service without vaccination. The groomers are required to follow this law and check every dog’s vaccination record before doing grooming sessions. Groomers hold the decision to refuse to do grooming of unvaccinated dogs.

A grooming facility is a place where your dog is exposed to many different pathogens. A dog with a strong immune system and vaccination will get through it without a problem. The risk arises when an unvaccinated dog contacts this place and makes it unsuitable for other dogs.

If such dogs have infections or are carriers, it is best to avoid the risky scenario by vaccinating your dog. The grooming facilities make sure all the dogs are vaccinated before grooming. In that case, let’s get knowledge on what dog vaccines are important.

Compulsory Core Vaccines for Dogs

The above-mentioned are the core vaccines that must be done in case of any dog. Your puppy might be permitted to enjoy the grooming service after the DHPPi shot. But, almost every state must require a rabies shot before the grooming.

Distemper and Parvovirus are some of the deadliest diseases in dogs. Additionally, these diseases are contagious and can infect other dogs with direct or indirect contact. Using contaminated grooming equipment can make your dog susceptible unless he is properly vaccinated.

Apart from that, there are some non-core vaccines your dog requires optionally. But considering the safety of your dog, you must plan to get your dog vaccinated. These include Bordetella, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Leptospira vaccine.

These non-core vaccines act to build immunity against highly contagious viral and bacterial diseases. Bordetella causes kennel cough in dogs and it is spread through coughing and cause high infection rates.

Get the Vaccination Proof Before Visiting a Dog Groomer

Your dog is not allowed to get groomed if you fail to bring the authentic vaccination record of your pet. It is important to get acceptable vaccination proof and not rely on unauthentic proof of vaccinations.

You must get the dog vaccinated from a veterinary clinic or rescue service with proof. Sometimes, the dog may not get vaccinated temporarily due to underlying medical conditions. A letter from the licensed vet stating the cause of the unvaccinated status of the dog is acceptable.

If somehow the vaccination card is lost, you have the option to get a titer test for the respective vaccine. This must be done through a registered laboratory and you can use the titer test results as proof of vaccination.

Groomers don’t accept vaccination records in the form of pet collars with rabies tags. The record is made through a registered veterinary practitioner. It is not recommended to administer the vaccine yourself to the dog at home without stickers or date logs.

Final Thoughts

Dog vaccination is a mandatory step you make your dog and its surroundings safe and disease free. Dogs need a rabies shot before the groomer’s visit because it is compulsory by the state laws for the safety of the grooming place, groomer, and the dog itself.

Every dog owner must check for the due dates of vaccinations. If you bring expired vaccination of a dog, you’re not permitted to get him groomed. Failure to vaccinate your dog makes him highly susceptible to catching and spreading deadly infections such as rabies.