Dog care blog

Does the rattlesnake vaccine for dogs work?.

NOVEMBER 7, 2026 · 3 MINUTE READ

Nobody has proven that the rattlesnake vaccine protects dogs. Some vets still offer it, and the choice is yours. Either way, a dog bitten by a rattlesnake needs a vet right away.

Rattlesnakes in the West Valley.

Arizona has 13 species of rattlesnakes, more than any other state, according to Arizona Game and Fish. The ones people see most are the Western diamondback, the Mojave, the black tailed rattlesnake and the sidewinder.

Rattlesnakes are most active from March through October. In spring they move during the day. By May, when days get hot, they move more at night. Homes near open desert, washes and the White Tank Mountains see them most.

What the vaccine is.

The only rattlesnake vaccine for dogs is made by Red Rock Biologics. It uses Western diamondback venom to teach the dog's body to make antibodies. The label covers the Western diamondback.

Dogs get two shots about 30 days apart, then a booster each year before snake season. The USDA gave the vaccine a conditional license.

What the research says.

• In mice, the vaccine gave some protection against Western diamondback venom and less against other snakes.
• Arizona vets reviewed 272 dogs bitten by rattlesnakes from 2010 to 2012. Only 15 had the vaccine, and the researchers found no measurable benefit.
• Neither the American Animal Hospital Association nor the equine vets' group gives the vaccine a strong recommendation.
• A few case reports describe vaccinated dogs having a severe allergic reaction after a bite. Experts say it looks fairly safe for most dogs.

Some vets believe the vaccine may buy time to reach a clinic. Others think the evidence is too thin to bother. Every bitten dog still needs emergency care.

Should your dog get it.

Talk to your vet. The vaccine makes the most sense to many owners whose dogs hike desert trails or live right next to open desert. If you get it, treat it as a backup. It never replaces a trip to the vet.

If a rattlesnake bites your dog.

1. Stay calm and keep your dog as still as you can. Carry a small dog.
2. Take off the collar if the bite is on the head or neck, since swelling can be fast.
3. Do not cut the bite, suck out venom, use ice or tie anything around the leg.
4. Call your vet or an emergency vet and drive there now.

Treatment often includes antivenom, fluids and pain medicine. The sooner your dog gets there, the better.

Make your yard less snake friendly.

• Clear out wood piles, rock piles and junk where snakes hide.
• Trim shrubs up off the ground.
• Close gaps under gates and in block walls.
• Cut off food for rodents. Pick up spilled bird seed and pet food, and keep dog poop picked up. Rodents draw snakes.
• Look before you let your dog out at dusk and at night.
• Ask about snake avoidance training, which many West Valley trainers offer.

We keep yards picked up every week in Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Citrus Park. See our prices or find your town on our service areas page.

Sources.

• Arizona Game and Fish: Arizona's 13 rattlesnake species
• KOLD: Rattlesnakes on the move, with Arizona Game and Fish
• Whole Dog Journal: Will the rattlesnake vaccine protect my dog
• Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, canine rattlesnake vaccine study
• Bend Bulletin: Dogs can get rattlesnake vaccine, but does it work
• Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center: News from the Pit, January 2025

Questions.

How many rattlesnake species live in Arizona?

Thirteen, more than any other state, according to Arizona Game and Fish.

Does a vaccinated dog still need a vet after a bite?

Yes. Every bitten dog needs a vet right away. The vaccine maker says so too.

When are rattlesnakes most active in Arizona?

Mostly March through October. In spring they move in the daytime, and by May they move more at night.