Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My puppy has one shot. Is indirect exposure to unvaccinated dogs safe?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Toy Poodle | Male | 2 months and 15 days old

Hello, My puppy has only had one set of vaccinations, I am trying to keep him inside and out of harms way which is hard enough. He sits next to me at work, and my colleague has an adult unvaccinated dog (she doesn't believe in vaccinating dogs) I presume the dog is healthy, although the dog doesn't come to work with her, she is constantly petting my puppy who licks her in return. I don't like it, is there any risk to my puppy being petted by her? how long do i wait before second vac's? Thanks

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 31st, 2017

Vaccines in puppies should be given every 3-4 weeks starting at 8 weeks of age. So he can be boostered at 11-12 weeks (looks like he has about a week to go). The chances of him getting something from the unvaccinated dog's owner is pretty minimal but there is always a slight chance. I personally would not be too worried about it but there are a couple things you could do to minimize risk. You could just kindly ask her to wash her hands before petting. The other option is that you don't have to let her pet him at all. You can always say you are busy training him and you would prefer that no one pets him for now if you want to avoid a conflict..... Hope this answers your question. Best wishes!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 25th, 2018

    There is definitely a concern for disease transmission from a vaccinated dog to an unvaccinated puppy. If they live in the same house, then there's essentially no way to keep them from spreading disease to each other, so they may as well play. If they are normally in separate compounds, then it would be best to wait until Aspin gets her first vaccine to let them play. Generally, we advise not to let them have contact with dogs outside the household until they are over four months old and have received their third vaccine. Aspin is of age to get his first vaccine, so it's best to have that done as soon as possible. He will need two more booster vaccines after that - booster vaccines are four weeks apart. Your vet will be able to help make sure he gets the right vaccine and gets on a good schedule. I hope that helps and all is well with Lady and Aspin.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
We have just had a puppy 8 weeks old who has had 1st injection. Her 2nd injection is due in 2 weeks. Our breeder recommended to have no visits from anyone who has dogs even if they aren’t bringing their dog. Also anyone with pets. Is this recommended
It is possible, although rare, for people to bring infectious agents into a home on shoes, clothes etc which a pup is not fully protected against until after the course has been completed and onset of immunity is generally a week or so after full vaccination. Similar to newborn children, general precautions of clean clothes and shoe, washing hands and avoiding contact with any owners of pets who have recently been unwell would be sensible. Do not take puppy to public areas or parks or mix with any dogs which are not fully vaccinated with up to date boosters.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Is it okay for my puppy to still be around his brothers and sisters if he's the only one out of all of them that has his first set of shots?
As long as the other puppies are not in contact with other dogs and they live all together, that might be fine, aka, if none of them are exposed to possible puppy viruses. That said, if the puppies do not live all together anymore, then I would advise he does not see them anymore until they are properly vaccinated, sadly littermates that are separated and expose two different environments are not safe went back together if not properly vaccinated. You had a great question , I truly enjoyed answering it and hope you will use Boop by Petco in the near future. PS puppies must be vaccinated every 2 to 4 weeks until they are four months of age, this starting as early as 6 to 8 weeks and in some cases, in a shelter environment, as early as 4 to 5 weeks of age.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 5 week old puppy that hasn’t been vaccinated. We’re getting his first set of vacation Thursday. Would be safe for him to be around other dogs Friday, the day after his vaccinations?
Ideally, no. It would not be safe to have Glock around other dogs until he is at least 14 weeks of age which is the age at which he would typically need to be to have his last booster of the Distemper Parvo core vaccine, and at which age he would also have had his other two core vaccines, Rabies and Bordatella (which protects against the respiratory infection often referred to as Kennel Cough). The reason for this is that puppy immune systems are still highly vulnerable to the parvovirus infection in particular, even after a single booster (he will likely need the Distemper Parvo vaccine 3-4 times, 3-4 weeks apart before he is fully protected/vaccinated). The parvovirus can easily cause life threatening diarrhea, dehydration and weakness requiring extensive ER care which can often cost thousands of dollars and isn’t always successful. It is safest to keep him indoors / away from other dogs/ or at least away from public sidewalks and definitely away from dog parks until about 14 weeks o
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Our 7 week old, unvaccinated puppy just came in contact with another dog, will they both be okay? (We have an appointment to get him vaccinated in a few days)
If the other dog was current on vaccines, there is likely no cause for concern. If both dogs were not showing any signs of illness, that is additional reason to not worry. You can monitor for lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, nasal discharge or difficulty breathing in the coming days. The veterinarian will perform a complete exam to confirm good health prior to vaccination.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have an 8 week old shih tzu with first vaccines at 6 weeks and a 3 years old vaccinated shih tzu. I just want make sure that it is safe for my dog and puppy to play and interact together. Are there risks of catching any viruses from each other beca
Hello. There is very little danger of your new puppy contracting anything from the older one ( & visa versa ). The problem is with what is infectious & dangerous out in the world, so keep your little one at home, no parks, playdates or trips to the pet superstores until he has received the full series of vaccinations around 4 months of age. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Are people who have (vaccinated) dogs allowed to come and touch my dog if he hasn't had his final vaccinations yet?
Generally speaking people are ok to touch your pet. The spread of viruses via fomites (articles of clothing or inanimate objects) is very low risk and rare. Generally direct contact with another sick pet, aerosolized exposure, or contact with infected feces is needed to pose any serious risk to Xander.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
If one puppy from a litter of eleven puppies does not receive it's first puppy vaccination at the same time as his siblings, will this one puppy be at great risk of contracting disease from it's vaccinated siblings. The puppies are being vaccinated
Hello and welcome to Boop by Petco. The unvaccinated Puppy will be at risk of contracting viruses from the environment that the litter-mates will be protected from, not at risk of getting the virus from the other puppies. If the environment is clean and free from viruses, and no exposure to unvaccinated animals occurs, then Junior should be ok. I recommend getting him vaccinated ASAP. At 8 weeks though he should still have some immunity from his mom if she was vaccinated. Best of luck with Junior!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
My puppy is almost 5 months old and has not been vaccinated yet. He has an appointment coming up. Can I take him to a house with dogs that are fully vaccinated?
It is best not to untilmbis shots are current. The other dogs being vaccinated simply protects them, it does not protect yours. They can still be exposed or carriers for disease without being affected themselves
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi! My puppy is 7 weeks old and had had her first set of shots. I have a high school sporting event to attend tomorrow and will be gone for more than 3 hours. Would it be safe to take puppy with me? I would keep her in a carrier/hold her and she woul
Hello, generally we would recommend that puppies whom are not fully vaccinated only have controlled interactions with other pets whom are fully vaccinated to prevent spread of diseases. As long as you ensure your puppy does not get into anything they should not (abnormal foods or foreign material) then it should be safe to bring her with you. Make sure your puppy does not come in contact with any other pets whom you are not aware of their vaccine history. Vaccines take up to 2-3 weeks to promote the body to build immunity. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Luke is coming home this week. He will be five weeks old ( I know he's young to be separated from mom but we had to take him). I have a 9-year-old Shih Tzu at home and want to know if he can be around him. Luke hasn't been vaccinated yet and my other
It would be best to keep them separate and take your older dog in for his vaccinations before they get together. The puppy can start his vaccinations between 6-8 weeks. He should be dewormed also. I would. To expose him to other dogs outside the home until he’s had at least two sets of vaccinations. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Luke.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored