Puppies and kittens don't get one vaccine; they get a series. Here is the full timeline, from the first shots at 6–8 weeks to adult boosters, and the few things that can change it for your pet.
- First core shots at about 6–8 weeks, repeated every 2–4 weeks until at least 16 weeks old (WSAVA).
- First booster at 6–12 months (WSAVA: at or after 26 weeks), then core boosters no more often than every 3 years in most cases.
- Rabies follows local law, so the interval depends on where you live.
- Non-core vaccines (kennel cough, Lyme, FeLV and others) depend on lifestyle and are usually repeated yearly.
Why puppies and kittens need several doses
Newborns are protected by antibodies from their mother's milk. Those antibodies fade between roughly 6 and 16 weeks, and while they are still around they can block a vaccine from working. Nobody can predict the exact week they disappear in an individual puppy or kitten, so vets give a series of shots. The final dose of the series should be given at 16 weeks of age or older, which is when almost every young animal can respond properly.
Puppy vaccination timeline
| Age | What is usually given |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | First core vaccine: distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus (often a combined "DHPP" or "DAPP" shot) |
| 10–12 weeks | Second core dose. Non-core vaccines such as Bordetella or leptospirosis can start here if your dog's lifestyle calls for them. |
| 14–16+ weeks | Final core dose of the series. Rabies is commonly given around 12–16 weeks, depending on local law. |
| 6–12 months | First booster of the core vaccines, plus rabies if required |
| Adult | Core boosters every 3 years or less often. Non-core vaccines as needed, usually yearly. |
Kitten vaccination timeline
| Age | What is usually given |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | First core vaccine: panleukopenia, calicivirus, herpesvirus (the combined "FVRCP" shot) |
| 10–12 weeks | Second core dose. Feline leukemia (FeLV) is usually two doses, 3–4 weeks apart, starting around 8 weeks. |
| 14–16+ weeks | Final core dose. Rabies is commonly given from about 12 weeks, depending on local law. |
| 6–12 months | First booster, including FeLV for kittens under one year |
| Adult | Core boosters every 3 years or less often. FeLV yearly for cats with outdoor access or outdoor housemates. |
The numbers above are typical ranges, not a prescription. Your vet may shift the dates depending on your pet's age at adoption, health and local disease risk.
Adult pets: how often are boosters really needed?
Older advice said "everything, every year." Current WSAVA guidance says core vaccines should not be given more often than necessary in adult animals, because the immunity from modern core vaccines lasts for many years. In practice, most vets now boost core vaccines every three years after the first-year booster. Non-core vaccines protect for a shorter time, about one year for most of them, so those are repeated annually when your pet is still at risk. Rabies is the exception: the interval is set by law in your country or state, so follow what your vet and local authority require.
What can change the schedule
- Unknown history. If you adopted an adult with no records, vets often start with a core vaccine and a booster a few weeks later.
- Boarding, grooming and travel. Kennels often require Bordetella (kennel cough) and proof of rabies. Check requirements weeks ahead, not the day before.
- Outdoor access and region. Ticks, leptospirosis, outdoor cats and local outbreaks all change which non-core vaccines make sense.
- Illness, pregnancy or a past reaction. Tell your vet first. A vaccine may be delayed or skipped.
Side effects and when to call the vet
Mild tiredness, a sore spot at the injection site, or a slightly lower appetite for a day or two are common. Call your vet urgently if you see facial swelling, hives, repeated vomiting, or trouble breathing, usually within hours of the shot. These reactions are rare, and your vet can treat them quickly if they happen.
Keep one clear vaccine record
Missed boosters usually come from lost paper, not forgetfulness. Keep the vaccine type, date, product and next due date in one place you can open at the vet, the groomer or the border.
Furvey logs every vaccine your pet has had and calculates when the next one is due — so instead of trying to remember a chart from a clinic visit two years ago, you get a reminder before the deadline.
Sources
- WSAVA — 2024 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats
- AAHA — 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines
Keep reading
Not veterinary advice. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian.