Pet Vaccinations Explained: What Your Pet Needs and Why

Vaccines protect pets against serious infectious diseases. Vets divide them into core vaccines, which every dog or cat should have, and lifestyle (non-core) vaccines, chosen for where your pet lives, travels and mixes with other animals. Puppies and kittens need a starting course, then boosters. Your vet will tailor the plan.

Which vaccines your pet needs, and when: see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. Only your vet can give vaccines and plan the right schedule for your pet and where you live.

Core and Lifestyle Vaccines

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), whose guidelines many vets follow, describes core vaccines as the ones all dogs and cats should receive, protecting against serious diseases found worldwide. Rabies vaccination is core in places where rabies is present.

Lifestyle (non-core) vaccines are chosen according to the diseases found locally and your pet's life: whether it goes to kennels or catteries, meets lots of other animals, hikes in certain areas or travels abroad. WSAVA stresses that this choice should come from a conversation between you and your vet.

Puppies and Kittens

Young animals get some protection from their mother at first, which fades over the first weeks and months. That's why puppies and kittens have a course of several vaccinations a few weeks apart rather than a single one. Ask your vet when your puppy can safely meet other dogs and go out on walks, and when a kitten can go outdoors, as it depends on the course and local risks.

If you buy or adopt, ask for the vaccination record and bring it to your first vet visit.

Boosters and Check-Ups

Adult pets need boosters to keep protection up, but not every vaccine is needed every year; schedules differ by vaccine, country and pet. The yearly vet visit is also a chance for a full health check, a weight check and a talk about parasite prevention and dental care, even in years when no vaccine is due.

If you're worried about side effects, talk it through with your vet. They can explain the risks and benefits for your pet.

Keeping Records

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Vaccines come from your vet, not a shop. What helps at home is organization: a pet health record book or folder for vaccination certificates, a calendar for booster dates, and a comfortable carrier that makes vet trips less stressful.

Rabbits, Ferrets and Other Pets

Dogs and cats aren't the only pets vaccinated. In many countries rabbits are routinely vaccinated against serious diseases, and ferrets may be too. Which vaccines exist and are recommended varies a lot by country, so ask a vet who sees your species. Birds, reptiles and fish are not usually vaccinated as pets.

Rules for Licenses, Boarding and Travel: They Differ by Country

United States: many states and localities require rabies vaccination for dogs, and often cats, and it is commonly needed for a dog license.
United Kingdom: routine vaccinations aren't legally required for pets at home, but licensed boarding kennels and catteries ask for them, and rabies vaccination is needed for travel abroad.
Elsewhere: check your national and local rules, and the rules of any country you plan to visit. See traveling abroad with pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What owners ask about vaccines.

Does my pet need vaccines every year?

Not necessarily every vaccine every year. Schedules depend on the vaccine, your country and your pet's lifestyle. A yearly health check is still worthwhile.

Does an indoor cat need vaccinating?

Vets generally recommend core vaccines for indoor cats too, because some diseases can be carried in on shoes and clothes. Ask your vet what suits your cat.

What are lifestyle vaccines?

Optional vaccines chosen for your pet's risks, such as boarding, contact with many other animals, local diseases or travel.

When can my puppy go for walks?

Ask your vet. It depends on the vaccination course and local risks. Many vets suggest carrying puppies out to see the world safely before then.

Is rabies vaccination required?

In many places, yes, by law, especially for dogs. In the UK it is mainly needed for travel. Check your local rules.