Pet Vaccination Schedules: What Your Pet Needs and When

Updated March 2026 · By the MyPetCalcs Team

Vaccinations are the cornerstone of preventive veterinary medicine, protecting your pet from potentially fatal diseases at a fraction of the cost of treatment. Yet the vaccination landscape can feel overwhelming for new pet owners, with varying schedules, core versus non-core designations, and conflicting opinions about frequency. This guide breaks down exactly which vaccines your pet needs, when they need them, and what you can expect to pay, so you can make informed decisions in partnership with your veterinarian.

Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines

Veterinary vaccines are categorized as core or non-core. Core vaccines are recommended for every pet regardless of lifestyle because they protect against severe, widespread, or zoonotic diseases. Non-core vaccines are recommended based on individual risk factors such as geographic location, lifestyle, and exposure risk.

For dogs, core vaccines include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus (hepatitis). For cats, core vaccines include rabies, feline panleukopenia (distemper), feline calicivirus, and feline herpesvirus. These diseases are highly contagious, frequently fatal, or in the case of rabies, pose a direct risk to human health and are legally required in most jurisdictions.

• Dog core vaccines: rabies, DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus)
• Cat core vaccines: rabies, FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia)
• Non-core dog vaccines: Bordetella, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, canine influenza
• Non-core cat vaccines: FeLV (feline leukemia), FIV, Chlamydophila, Bordetella

Puppy and Kitten Vaccination Timelines

Puppies receive maternal antibodies through their mother milk, which provide temporary protection but also interfere with vaccine effectiveness. This is why puppies receive a series of vaccinations starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. The final booster is the most critical as it ensures immunity is established after maternal antibodies have waned.

Kittens follow a similar schedule, starting their FVRCP series at 6 to 8 weeks with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks. FeLV vaccination is recommended for all kittens regardless of intended lifestyle since circumstances can change. The first rabies vaccine is typically given at 12 to 16 weeks for both puppies and kittens.

• Weeks 6 to 8: first DHPP (puppy) or FVRCP (kitten)
• Weeks 10 to 12: second DHPP or FVRCP, plus Bordetella if needed
• Weeks 12 to 16: third DHPP or FVRCP, first rabies vaccine
• Weeks 14 to 16: final booster of core vaccines if not yet completed
• Week 16 and beyond: lifestyle-based non-core vaccines as recommended by vet

Adult Booster Schedules

After the initial puppy or kitten series, adult pets need periodic boosters to maintain immunity. One year after the initial series, pets receive their first adult boosters for all core vaccines. After that, the schedule depends on the specific vaccine and current veterinary guidelines.

Many core vaccines are now approved for three-year intervals in adult pets, including rabies and DHPP for dogs. The AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) guidelines recommend that after the one-year booster, core dog vaccines can be given every three years. Non-core vaccines like Bordetella and canine influenza typically require annual boosters due to the nature of the pathogens they target.

• Rabies: first booster at one year, then every three years (with 3-year vaccine)
• DHPP (dogs): booster at one year, then every three years
• FVRCP (cats): booster at one year, then every three years for low-risk indoor cats
• Bordetella (dogs): annually, or every 6 months for high-exposure dogs
• Canine influenza: annually for dogs in boarding, daycare, or group settings

Vaccination Costs and Budgeting

Vaccination costs vary by region, clinic type, and specific vaccines given. At private veterinary practices, individual vaccines typically cost $20 to $45 each, with combination vaccines like DHPP running $30 to $60. Rabies vaccination usually costs $15 to $35. The complete puppy or kitten series, including all core vaccines and an exam, totals $200 to $500.

Low-cost vaccination clinics, veterinary schools, and shelter-affiliated clinics offer significantly reduced prices, with some vaccines available for $10 to $20 each. Annual vaccine costs for adult pets are considerably lower since fewer vaccines are needed each year, typically $75 to $200 for core boosters and exam combined.

• Individual vaccine cost: $15 to $45 at private practice
• Complete puppy or kitten series: $200 to $500 total
• Annual adult boosters: $75 to $200 including exam
• Low-cost clinic vaccines: $10 to $20 per vaccine
• Titer test (antibody check): $40 to $80 per disease panel

Vaccine Safety and Side Effects

Modern veterinary vaccines have an excellent safety record, but mild side effects are common and typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours. These include lethargy, mild fever, reduced appetite, and slight swelling at the injection site. These reactions indicate that the immune system is responding to the vaccine as intended.

Serious adverse reactions are rare but can include persistent vomiting, facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, and in extremely rare cases, anaphylaxis. Injection-site sarcomas are a concern in cats, which is why feline vaccines are now administered in specific limb locations rather than between the shoulder blades. Alert your veterinarian to any previous vaccine reactions before each visit.

• Common mild reactions: lethargy, mild fever, soreness at injection site
• Less common reactions: facial swelling, hives, vomiting
• Rare serious reactions: anaphylaxis, injection-site sarcoma in cats
• Most mild side effects resolve within 24 to 48 hours
• Allergic reactions typically occur within 30 minutes of vaccination