Pet owner vaccine hesitancy is growing — and a public health expert explains why it matters

When most people think of vaccines, they usually think of humans: When large numbers of people go unvaccinated, experts warn, it can lead to serious consequences, including disease outbreaks and higher rates of morbidity and mortality, especially in the most vulnerable populations. among vulnerable groups. The economic cost to society can also be substantial.

However, vaccines also provide important protection for our non-human companions, including the most common pets: dogs and cats.

However, as my research published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research and Vaccines in 2024 shows, vaccine hesitancy is starting to influence some people's decisions about whether to vaccinate their pets.

Vaccines and pets

Numerous studies have confirmed that vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are safe for most people. However, since the first vaccination against smallpox, the vaccine has never been universally accepted. Vaccine hesitancy or concerns about getting vaccinated will only increase in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Growing concerns about vaccines have important implications that extend far beyond an individual's decision about whether to get vaccinated.

Vaccines generally work in two important ways. First, for vaccinated individuals, they provide direct protection by reducing the risk of contracting the disease; they may also reduce the severity of the disease.

Vaccines also provide an indirect form of protection to society as a whole through a process often called “herd immunity.” This occurs when a high proportion of people in a community develop immunity, ensuring that future outbreaks affect fewer people and are contained quickly.

Of course, humans are not the only species to benefit from direct and indirect protection from vaccines. However, to date, few studies have examined vaccination in nonhumans.

My most recent work specifically seeks to expand scientific knowledge about dog and cat owners through large-scale, national surveys. Many of the findings are positive: The vast majority of cats and dogs are vaccinated against core vaccines that protect against rabies and other dangerous diseases. Core vaccines are the ones recommended for all dogs and cats.

Additionally, three-quarters of pet owners trust their veterinarian when it comes to vaccines. An even higher percentage felt confident discussing vaccine-related issues with their veterinarian. They also understand that many vaccine-preventable pet diseases can be serious.

Pet owners also want their neighbors to vaccinate their pets: A majority of dog and cat owners (over 80%) support vaccination requirements for a variety of core and non-core vaccines.

However, other findings raise concerns. Most prominently, research I published in late 2024 found that 22% of dog owners and 26% of cat owners were hesitant to vaccinate their pets. Although most pets are vaccinated against common diseases, a few are not. About 4% of these dogs and 12% of cats remain unvaccinated against rabies. For other diseases such as parvovirus and canine distemper, vaccination rates are even lower. This study confirms similar findings from my previous 2023 study.

In the same 2024 study, many of the concerns raised by pet owners were similar to those of humans: More than half of pet owners questioned the effectiveness of vaccines.

A similar proportion of people are concerned about the safety and side effects of the vaccine. Many people believe that it is better for pets to become immune after contracting a disease than to receive a vaccine. About 60% of pet owners believe their pets receive too many vaccines. Remarkably, almost all pet owners prefer giving their pets fewer vaccinations at one time.

Looking to the future

When people choose not to vaccinate their pets, it can have important consequences for society.

The most immediate impact will be on pet owners. Unvaccinated pets are at a higher risk of illness and death from preventable diseases; although vaccines are not completely effective, in some cases even vaccinated pets may be affected. This can come at a huge financial and emotional cost to its owners.

Veterinarians are also affected. They may encounter pets with illnesses they were not expecting or with illnesses they have been exposed to in the past. The same applies to other professions that work with pets, including groomers, boarders and dog walkers.

There are also wider implications for public health: rabies, in particular, may become more common. Humans may be directly affected if bitten by an infected pet. Pets also come into contact with wild animals, increasing the likelihood of further spread of rabies.

From a public health perspective, low vaccination rates in pets are just as concerning as vaccination rates in humans. I believe a comprehensive public health strategy is essential to address the growing concerns pet owners have about vaccines. Such a strategy should not simply dismiss pet owners’ concerns as conspiracy theories, but should take a thoughtful approach that takes individuals’ specific concerns seriously.