How to Give a Puppy a Shot Safely (and what you must know beforehand)

April 11, 2023 Kar-Bay-Inc

Giving your dog vaccinations at home is more affordable than taking him to the vet.

Of course, there are certain medications (like the rabies vaccine) that a professional must administer.

You may also need to learn how to give a puppy a shot if your dog needs to take a medication through injection.

You should consult with your veterinarian to determine which shots your puppy will need and which ones can be administered at home by you.

You also must ensure that you purchase the vaccination kits through a reputable retailer.

I know it’s hard to believe, but not every company that sells things on the internet is reputable.

Learning how to give a puppy a shot may also benefit if your dog is very timid.

It will not only save you money, but your dog won’t have to go through the stress of making a trip to the vet.

Likewise, if your dog needs to take an injectable medicine on a regular basis, it will be much easier to administer the medication at home.

How to Give a Puppy a Shot

First you’ll need to gather some supplies. In order to learn how to give a puppy a shot, you’ll need:

rubbing alcohol
cotton balls
the vaccination
syringe

The vaccinations will need to be kept in the refrigerator. If you ordered them online, they should also come in a cold container.

You’ll be injecting the medication above your dog’s shoulder blades, and you’ll need to sterilize the area using the rubbing alcohol and cotton balls.

Ensure there are no air bubbles in the syringe by holding it upright and expressing the plunger slightly until all the air is gone.

The injection will go over the shoulder blades, not between them.

Lift the skin slightly, and insert the needle just under the skin.

Pull back slightly on the plunger.

If there is blood entering the syringe, you’ve hit a vein.

You’ll need to remove the needle and try again.

If there isn’t any blood, you’re all set to administer the injection.

Administer the entire contents of the syringe. Be sure to dispose of the used needle properly. If left on top of a garbage bin, someone could easily get poked.

If you’re administering medication for a health condition, your veterinarian may have different instructions for you to follow.

For instance, some injections must be given in the thigh.

Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions exactly if you’re in this situation.