Can My Puppy Go Outside Without Vaccines?

Today, PAWriffic friends, we’re sharing a real-life question from one of our amazing pawrents! 🐾

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s safe to take your unvaccinated pup outside, this one’s for you…

Q: For Chloe, if we don’t vaccinate her, can she go on walks since she’s 6 weeks or do we wait for her to keep building up her immunity? I ask because usually after a puppy gets vaccinated they are allowed to go out but since she’s not I don’t know a timeframe.

A: It doesn’t make sense to us that a puppy supposedly needs to "build up immunity" before being allowed outside.

Nature itself is incredibly nourishing providing so much goodness….fresh air, sunlight, grounding energy, beneficial bacteria and a whole world of smells and sensations that support a puppy’s development in every way.

Yes, there are risks in nature.

But there’s also so much good waiting out there

Life will always carry some risk.

However, we truly don’t believe we need to fear dogs being out in the world and we believe their bodies are strong, not fragile.

And puppies need the stimulation and experiences that nature can provide to truly thrive ~ physically, emotionally, and energetically.

Let’s take a cue from nature.

When do baby wolves or coyotes first venture out of the den?

It’s not based on some artificial timeline or a shot schedule.

They venture out when they when they feel bonded, safe, stable - when their bodies and nervous systems say, “I’m ready.” 

We believe that same approach applies here. 

So, when is the right time?

To us, it’s not about age or vaccine status.

It’s about connection and readiness.

If your puppy feels safe with you, and you’ve built a solid bond, you can begin gently.

·   Quiet moments in the yard or garden

·   Short walks in calm outdoor areas

·   Letting her sniff and explore at her own pace

·   Watching her body language closely: Is she confident? Curious? Unsure?

If she shows signs of curiosity and confidence, that’s a good sign.

If she seems anxious, take a step back and offer more time in her home environment. This isn’t about rushing it’s about layering safety and experience.

Bottom line:

Her body was designed to thrive in this world - not be shielded from it.

Follow her lead.

Let her curiosity and comfort be your guide.

And trust that, with the right support, she can explore the outdoors ~ no vaccines required.

💌 Got a question like this about your PAWriffic one?

Reach out anytime - we love hearing from our PAWsome community of dog and cat lovers.