Your new puppy is probably super excited to meet his new home and explore the outdoors for the first time. Before you let your little friend explore outside, it’s important to remember that puppies are susceptible to a lot of different diseases, especially at such a young age. Keeping your puppy safe from harmful bacteria and viruses—like Parvovirus or Canine Hepatitis—is essential. Vaccinating your puppy is an important step in protecting him from contracting severe illnesses outside, but what about short-term safety? Fortunately, there are some ways you can keep your pup safe from disease while still giving him the chance to explore outside. Read on for advice on whether or not you can carry your puppy outside before vaccinations.
Can I Carry My Puppy Outside Before Vaccinations?
The short answer is NO. You should not be outside with your puppy before the vaccinations are done unless you are in a ‘safe’ environment. The vaccination process can cause the puppy to cry, so it is best to give him time to adjust to the new environment after he has been vaccinated.
When Is It Safe For My Puppy To Go Outside?
- If your puppy has been vaccinated with the booster shot or the series, you can take him outside.
- If your puppy has had all of his vaccines, you can take him outside if it is a very safe environment. You should not leave him outside for long periods of time, and you should be careful to avoid hot conditions like the sun or direct heat from a fire. Consider that your puppy will be out in the elements for at least 12-24 hours after vaccination so it is best to keep an eye on him during this time period and make sure he stays cool and hydrated.
- If your puppy has not had all of his vaccines, you should not take him out until he is at least 14 days old (unless he is confined to a crate). He needs at least two weeks after his last vaccination before he can be exposed to other animals or people. The vaccinations are given in different combinations throughout his life so there may need to be more than one booster shot given before he goes out into the world (this depends on what type of vaccine is being used).
- If there are any signs of illness in your puppies such as fever or vomiting, do not bring him outside until these symptoms have disappeared completely (this could take up to 2 weeks).
- If your puppy has any kind of blood clotting disorder, do not take him outside until he has been on medication for at least 2 weeks.
- If your puppy is pregnant or nursing, do not take him out until his vaccinations have been given and cleared by your veterinarian (this could take up to 2 weeks).
- If you are unsure about the status of your puppy’s immune system (for example, if he has had a recent illness), it is best to wait until he is at least 14-21 days old before taking him out into the world. This will give his immune system time to recover enough so that it can fight off any potential illness that may be encountered while in the outside world.
- If your puppy has had his first vaccination and has been on the same dose of medication for at least 2 weeks, then you can take him outside.
- If you are uncertain if your puppy has had his first vaccination (for example, if he has been on medication for more than 2 weeks), it is best to wait until he is at least 14 days old before taking him out into the world. This will give his immune system time to recover enough so that it can fight off any potential illness that may be encountered while in the outside world.
- If your puppy has been on medication for more than 2 weeks and is not showing signs of a blood clotting disorder, then you can take him outside safely.
What Are The Risks Of Carrying My Puppy Outside Before Vaccinations?
- Parasites.
- Distemper can be contracted through the exchange of bodily fluids and bites from insects.
- Parvovirus is one of the most common and dangerous diseases among puppies and is contracted through the fecal matter of another infected dog. If your puppy encounters this virus before he’s vaccinated, he could develop severe symptoms, such as vomiting, dehydration, and diarrhea.
- Canine Influenza Virus is contracted through the exchange of bodily fluids like sneezing or coughing. Like Parvovirus, this virus can be dangerous for very young puppies and can lead to severe symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
- Canine Distemper can be contracted through the exchange of bodily fluids and bites from insects
- Rabies is a deadly disease that should be avoided at all costs for your puppy’s safety!
- Rabies is a deadly disease that should be avoided at all costs for your puppy’s safety!
- Vaccinations can cause (temporary) anaphylactic shock in some dogs if they are not given in time to prevent damage to your dog’s heart or lungs caused by a vaccine reaction! This means that if you take your puppy outside too soon after receiving his vaccinations you may cause him anaphylactic shock which can kill him if he doesn’t get immediate medical help!
- If you take your pup out too soon after his first set of shots (which are meant to protect him from diseases he may encounter in the first few months of his life) his immune system is not yet strong enough to handle the medicines and vaccines he receives. This means that if he does get exposed to another disease, even though he’s vaccinated for it, chances are that you won’t be able to protect him from it because it will be too late!
- If your puppy is vaccinated too early (before the age of 6 months) then there is a risk that his immune system may not react to the vaccine as well as it should and therefore the vaccinations will not be as effective. Therefore if your puppy is vaccinated too early you should wait until after 6 months before giving him any more vaccinations!
Final word
The most important thing to remember about vaccinations is that they are always important, but you should only give them to your puppy when he’s old enough and after he’s fully vaccinated. It is also important to remember that while vaccinations are the best way to protect your puppy from contracting diseases, they won’t protect him from being bitten by dogs. While dog bites can be very dangerous, it’s important for puppies to learn how to interact with other dogs as soon as possible so that they can become well-socialized and will be less likely to bite if approached by another dog.
