Vaccines are one of the great success stories of veterinary medicine. Diseases that once killed large numbers of puppies and kittens — distemper, parvovirus, panleukopenia — are now rare in well-vaccinated populations. Knowing which vaccines your pet needs, and when, is simpler than it looks.
Core vaccines: every pet, everywhere
Dogs: canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus (hepatitis) and canine parvovirus. Rabies is also core in many countries and required by law in some.
Cats: feline panleukopenia (parvovirus), feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus — the last two together cause “cat flu”. Rabies where required.
Non-core vaccines: depends on lifestyle
- Leptospirosis (dogs) — a bacterial disease spread in urine of rats and other animals, via water and wet ground. Recommended in many areas; needs yearly boosters.
- Kennel cough (dogs) — for dogs that board, go to day care or classes.
- Feline leukaemia virus (cats) — for kittens and cats that go outdoors or live with infected cats.
- Lyme disease and others in some regions.
The puppy and kitten course
Young animals receive antibodies from their mother’s milk that fade over the first months — and can block vaccines. That’s why puppies and kittens get several doses, every two to four weeks, until at least 16 weeks old, then a booster at around six months or a year. Our vaccination schedule tool turns a date of birth into dates.
Why some vaccines are every three years
Research has shown that core vaccines give long-lasting immunity. International guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association recommend core boosters no more often than every three years for adult pets. Non-core vaccines such as leptospirosis protect for a shorter time and are usually yearly. Your pet may still see the vet every year — for a health check and whichever vaccines are due that year.
The yearly check-up is valuable even in a year without vaccines. It is often where early signs of dental disease, weight gain, heart murmurs and lumps are found.
Side effects
Mild side effects — a little tiredness, a sore spot or a slightly reduced appetite for a day — are common. Serious reactions are rare. Contact your vet if your pet has facial swelling, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing or collapses after a vaccine.
Titre testing
A blood test can measure antibodies against some core diseases. Some owners use titre tests to decide whether a core booster is needed. They don’t replace non-core vaccines, and are not accepted for rabies requirements when travelling.
Questions owners ask
Can my puppy go outside before vaccinations are finished?
Your puppy can go in your own garden and be carried to see the world. Ask your vet when walking on public ground is safe — often a week or two after the last puppy vaccine.
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes. Panleukopenia virus is very hardy and can be carried into the home on shoes and clothing, and indoor cats may need boarding or escape one day.
What if my pet’s booster is late?
Book it as soon as you can. If a booster is very overdue, your vet may recommend restarting part of the course.
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