Health
Vaccination schedule for dogs & cats
Wondering what the cat vaccination schedule looks like? What are the most essential dog vaccines that your dog should get? Learn more here!
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The most important thing that you can do to keep your dog or cat happy and healthy is to protect them from the threat of serious, sometimes fatal, diseases. Vaccines save lives. The vaccination needs of every dog and cat do differ, but there are guidelines that you can follow to make sure that your best friend stays up-to-date. Routine visits with your vet are the only way to maintain a consistent schedule. Your vet will be able to assess your dog’s or cat’s individual vaccination needs. Effective vaccination routines depend upon your dog’s or cat’s life stage and lifestyle. Puppies require a series of vaccines to protect again core diseases such as Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Leptospirosis. For kittens vaccination against viral causes of “cat flu”, feline panelucopaenia and feline leukaemia are recommended whereas adult dogs and cats are recommended to have periodic booster vaccines to ensure immunity is maintained; some given annually and others given in combination every 3 years. Dogs and cats that travel may need Rabies vaccination whilst dogs that regularly mix with others may benefit from vaccines against major causes of contagious cough (sometimes known as kennel cough).
Your vet will outline the core and non-core vaccines necessary to help your dog or cat stay healthy. Core vaccines are considered essential. Non-core vaccines are vaccines recommended to protect your dog or cat against diseases that are present in specific environments or lifestyles.
Vaccine Schedule for Dogs
| Disease | 1st Vaccination | Follow-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Canine Distemper | 6-8 Weeks | A minimum of 2 doses is recommended as a young puppy with a booster offered up to every 3 years after the first annual booster |
| Infectious Canine Hepatitis | 6-8 Weeks | Same schedule as above; usually given as a combination vaccine |
| Canine Parvovirus | 6-8 Weeks | Same schedule as above; usually given as a combination vaccine |
| Leptospirosis | 6-8 Weeks | 2 doses 2-4 weeks apart (depending on which vaccine) then an annual booster required to maintain immunity |
| Bordetella | Variable | Either given as part of an up-the-nose vaccine, oral vaccine or as an injection. Annual booster required to maintain protection in at-risk dogs |
| Parainfluenza virus | Variable | Either given as part of an up-the-nose vaccine or as an injection. Annual booster required to maintain immunity in at-risk dogs |
The core vaccines for puppies and unvaccinated dogs include vaccines for Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Parvovirus, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and (in countries where required) Rabies. Non-core vaccines include Bordetella and Parainfluenza virus.
Vaccine Schedule for Cats
The core vaccines for kittens and unvaccinated cats include Feline Panleucopaenia, Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus, FeLV (in kittens and outdoor cats in countries where it occurs) and Rabies (in countries where required). The non-core vaccines include Chlamydia. Kittens and adult cats have different vaccination needs, as noted in the chart below.
| Disease | 1st Vaccination | Follow-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Feline Panleucopaenia | 8-9 Weeks | Two doses 3-4 weeks apart with a booster in the first year and then every 1-3 years |
| Feline Herpesvirus | 8-9 Weeks | Two doses 3-4 weeks apart then typically an annual booster |
| Feline Calicivirus | 8-9 Weeks | Two doses 3-4 weeks apart then typically an annual booster |
| Feline Leukaemia (FeLV)* | 8-9 Weeks | Boost at up to 3 year intervals from 1st annual booster in at risk cats |
| Chlamydia | 8-9 Weeks | Boost annually for at risk cats only |
Proof of vaccination is essential when travelling with your buddy and utilising day or long-term boarding facilities. You’ll also want to keep a record handy so that you know what boosters to expect at your annual vet visit. The good news is that once your furry friend is vaccinated, you can rest easy knowing that he or she is protected. Just keep in mind that if you opt-out of a non-core vaccine and something in your dog’s or cat’s lifestyle changes, for example, they need to board, it would be a good idea to follow-up with your vet to find out exactly what type of protection they need.
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