Top Canine Vaccine Brands You Can Trust

As pet owners, ensuring the health and well-being of our furry companions is a top priority, and part of this responsibility includes keeping up with their vaccination schedule. With many brands offering vaccines for dogs, choosing the best one can be a daunting task. It's important to select a trusted brand that not only provides comprehensive protection against common canine diseases but also prioritizes safety and effectiveness. Join us below as we explore some of the best brands available for dog vaccines to help you make an informed decision for your pet's health.

Illustration of vaccine for dogs

Best brands of vaccine for dogs in 2025

Merck Animal Health

Merck Animal Health, through its NOBIVAC brand, has established itself as a leader in vaccine innovation for dogs, particularly with the recent USDA approval of the NOBIVAC NXT Canine Flu H3N2 vaccine, the first and only canine influenza vaccine built on RNA-particle technology. This breakthrough vaccine, available since summer 2024, offers optimized protection against the prevalent H3N2 canine influenza virus. With over 70 years of innovation, Merck Animal Health has been at the forefront of canine respiratory protection, having launched the first canine influenza vaccine in 2009 and subsequently introducing bivalent and monovalent H3N2 vaccines. The NOBIVAC NXT platform ensures a precise immune response without compromising comfort or safety, highlighting Merck's commitment to advancing veterinary healthcare. The company's dedication to research and development has significantly impacted the prevention of diseases in dogs.

Zoetis

Zoetis, through its Vanguard brand, is a leading producer of vaccines for dogs, known for its high-quality and effective products. The company's vaccine portfolio, such as the Vanguard Plus 5 L4, protects dogs against multiple diseases including canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, and leptospirosis. Zoetis has consistently outpaced the core animal health market with an 8% revenue CAGR since its IPO in 2013, demonstrating strong market leadership. Their vaccines are widely recommended by veterinary clinics due to their efficacy and the company's commitment to innovation and customer service. For instance, the Vanguard Plus 5 L4 vaccine is guaranteed by the manufacturer to cover medical treatment costs if the vaccinated dog contracts covered diseases. For more information on standard care recommendations, visit the Craven Animal Hospital website.

Elanco

Elanco, through its Duramune brand, is a leading producer of vaccines for dogs, known for their efficacy and safety. The Duramune Max 5 vaccine, for instance, has been shown to be effective against canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine adenovirus type 2, canine parainfluenza, and canine parvovirus, with a recommended primary vaccination series of two doses administered 2 to 3 weeks apart. Elanco's vaccines, such as TruCan(tm), boast a high safety profile, with 96.3% of dogs experiencing no adverse events after vaccination. The company's global presence, with operations in over 90 countries, underscores its commitment to animal health on a large scale. Elanco's innovative approach, including the use of PureFil Technology(tm), enhances the comfort and safety of vaccination for pets.

Virbac

Virbac, through its Canigen brand, is renowned for producing high-quality vaccines for dogs, particularly the Canigen DHP, a modified live vaccine designed to prevent canine Distemper, Parvovirus Enteritis, and Hepatitis in puppies from 6 weeks of age. This vaccine has been trusted for its efficacy in preventing these fatal diseases. In 2017, Virbac posted double-digit growth in several markets, highlighting the company's strong presence in animal health. The Canigen DHP vaccine is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly and is available in pack sizes of 1ml x 10 vials, ensuring comprehensive protection for puppies. The vaccine's safety and effectiveness have been well-documented, making Virbac a leading name in canine vaccination.

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim, through its Eurican brand, has established itself as a leading producer of vaccines for dogs, particularly with the introduction of the Eurican L4 vaccine, which provides effective immunity against four key Leptospira serogroups, including L. Australis, L. Canicola, L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, and L. Grippotyphosa. This non-adjuvanted vaccine has shown outstanding efficacy, preventing mortality, clinical signs, and renal lesions, with protection evident just two weeks after primary vaccination. A 2017-2020 study identified L. Icterohaemorrhagiae and L. Australis as the most prevalent serogroups in Europe, with Eurican L4 addressing this critical need. The vaccine is available in France and will be rolled out to other European countries in 2025. Boehringer Ingelheim's commitment to animal health is underscored by its significant investment in R&D, with almost 3.7 billion euros invested in 2020.

MSD Animal Health

MSD Animal Health, through its Nobivac brand, stands as a leading producer of vaccines for dogs, particularly in the fight against rabies. The company has donated over 5 million Nobivac rabies vaccines globally through its Afya Program, reinforcing its commitment to eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. With a 25-year dedication to rabies elimination, MSD Animal Health has collaborated with various global partners to save countless canine and human lives. The company's efforts are part of a broader One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment. As of 2023, MSD Animal Health continues to drive significant growth in the companion animal vaccine market, especially in North America, which holds a dominant 48.3% market share.

Bayer

Bayer's K9 Advantix II is a highly regarded brand for dog flea, tick, and mosquito prevention, introduced in 2002. It contains 8.80% imidacloprid, 44.00% permethrin, and 0.44% pyriproxyfen, providing effective protection against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes for at least four weeks. This topical treatment kills existing fleas within 12 hours and reinfesting fleas within 2 hours, also preventing larval flea stages in the dog's surroundings. It is waterproof and suitable for dogs and puppies 7 weeks of age and older. K9 Advantix II is vet-recommended and does not require a prescription.

Novartis Animal Health

Novartis Animal Health, though now part of Elanco Animal Health following the division's sale in 2015, was once a prominent player in the dog vaccine market. The company was known for its comprehensive range of vaccines, including those for core diseases such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. For instance, their vaccines were often administered via injectable routes, which were expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032. The market for dog vaccines, valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2023, is driven by increased awareness of pet health and rising incidences of canine diseases. The canine parvovirus segment, in particular, held a significant market share of 25.3% in 2023. For more details on their products, visit Elanco's Animal Health Vaccines page.

Pfizer Animal Health

Pfizer Animal Health is a leading producer of vaccines for dogs, known for its commitment to animal health and safety. In 2010, Pfizer Animal Health expanded its global commitment by acquiring Microtek International, Inc., enhancing its portfolio in aquaculture and other animal health sectors, and investing an estimated $300 million annually in research and development. Their vaccines are designed to protect against various diseases, ensuring the health and well-being of canine patients. For instance, their acquisition of Wyeth/Fort Dodge Animal Health's biological and pharmaceutical R&D in 2009 further strengthened their capabilities in animal health products. This investment has resulted in significant revenue, with $846 million generated in the first quarter of 2010 and $2.8 billion for the full year of 2009.

Ceva Santé Animale

Ceva Sante Animale, a leading global animal health company, is renowned for its innovative vaccine solutions, particularly for dogs. As the 5th global animal health company, Ceva operates in 110 countries and has a strong portfolio that includes preventive medicine such as vaccines and animal welfare products. The company has made significant strides in vaccine development, including the launch of new vaccines like Cevac IBron to prevent infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Ceva's acquisition of Scout Bio in 2024 further enhances its capabilities in biotechnology and gene therapy for pets, aiming to address chronic diseases in dogs and other animals. With a turnover of EUR1.5 billion in 2022, Ceva continues to drive innovation in animal health.