More and more dog owners are choosing to skip routine vaccinations, and veterinarians say it is starting to look like a wider movement rather than a handful of isolated choices. One example shared in the story is Grant, a former military medic in Santa Barbara, California, who stopped vaccinating his dogs about eight years ago after becoming interested in traditional Chinese medicine and growing distrustful of Western healthcare. Over time, his skepticism widened to the point where he questioned whether rabies is even a distinct disease, and he began viewing vaccination requirements as a kind of coercion.
Veterinarians say attitudes like this are becoming easier to spot in everyday clinic visits. A survey of U.S. dog owners referenced in the article found that many people see vaccines as unnecessary or ineffective, and a noticeable share worry about claims that shots can cause autism-like outcomes in pets. Even when owners are trying to do what feels safest, vets argue that online misinformation has created an environment where fear and suspicion spread quickly.
The article notes that concerns have been simmering for years. Veterinarians in Brooklyn were already describing a rise in vaccine anxiety among clients back in 2017, and the United Kingdom saw pet vaccination rates drop between 2016 and 2019. The pandemic years appear to have amplified the shift, partly because many people now treat pets as full family members and carry over their feelings about human medicine into animal care decisions.
Another issue veterinarians point to is the overlap between beliefs about human vaccines and pet vaccines. The piece highlights research suggesting that owners who refuse vaccines for themselves are far more likely to refuse them for their animals. As trust in institutions declines, vets say it becomes harder to keep discussions focused on concrete risks and benefits.
Newer vaccine technologies have also become a lightning rod. The story describes how suspicion around mRNA vaccines, shaped largely by debates over COVID-19 shots, has spilled into the pet world too. Even when the goal is protecting animals from specific diseases, some owners respond to the technology itself as a warning sign rather than evaluating each vaccine on its own.
Social media is pushing the trend along in ways that veterinarians find especially concerning. Influencers and alternative practitioners promote detox tonics, warn about “over-vaccination,” and spread terms like “pawtism,” presenting them as explanations for behavioral changes despite a lack of solid evidence. The article mentions dog trainer Caroline Wilkinson in the UK, who links fearful puppy behavior to vaccines and claims she has helped dogs with essential oils, while also acknowledging other explanations could be possible.
The story also points to organized messaging that resembles human anti-vaccine campaigns. Children’s Health Defense, founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is referenced for promoting pet-focused claims as well, including a book warning about supposed dangers of vaccinating too much. Holistic veterinarian Judy Jasek is included in the article as someone who describes vaccines as “toxic,” while conceding her views are not grounded in formal studies.
Veterinarians say the biggest worry is what happens if refusal becomes widespread, especially with rabies, which is often legally required. The article notes ongoing rabies activity among wild animals and warns that lower vaccination rates could raise risks for both pets and people. At the same time, owners who opt out can face real-life obstacles, from registration rules to grooming policies and travel requirements, yet some still prefer to handle health decisions entirely on their own.
Have you noticed more vaccine hesitancy among pet owners lately, and what do you think would help rebuild trust between veterinarians and dog owners? Share your thoughts in the comments.
