What Are Canine (Dog) and Feline (Cat) Core Vaccines?
- Core vaccines are considered vital to all dogs and cats based on risk of exposure, severity of disease or transmissibility to humans.
- Canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies are considered core vaccines.
- Feline Herpesvirus 1, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia Virus and Feline Rabies Vaccines are considered core vaccines.
- Non-core vaccines are given depending on the dog’s exposure risk. These include vaccines against Bordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira bacteria.
- Non-core vaccines for cats are Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Bordetella bronchiseptica Vaccine.
Vaccination Schedule for Dogs: Core and Non-core Vaccines
Dog Vaccine Initial Puppy Vaccination (at or under 16 weeks) Initial Adult Dog Vaccination (over 16 weeks) Booster Recommendation Comments Rabies 1-year Can be administered in one dose, as early as 3 months of age. States regulate the age at which it is first administered.Single dose
Annual boosters are required.Core dog vaccine. Rabies is 100% fatal to dogs, with no treatment available. Prevention is key.
Rabies 3-year
Can be administered as one dose, as early as 3 months of age. States regulate the age at which it is first administered.Single dose
A second vaccination is recommended after 1 year, then boosters every 3 years.Core dog vaccine.
Distemper At least 3 doses, given between 6 and 16 weeks of age2 doses, given 3-4 weeks apart
Puppies need a booster 1 year after completing their initial series, then all dogs need a booster every 3 years or more often.Core dog vaccine. Caused by an airborne virus, distemper is a severe disease that, among other problems, may cause permanent brain damage.
Parvovirus At least 3 doses, given between 6 and 16 weeks of age 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart Puppies need a booster 1 year after completing the initial series, then all dogs need a booster every 3 years or more often. Core dog vaccine. Canine “parvo” is contagious, and can cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Parvo is usually fatal if untreated. Adenovirus (canine hepatitis) At least 3 doses, between 6 and 16 weeks of age 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart Puppies need a booster 1 year after completing the initial series, then all dogs need a booster every 3 years or more often. Core dog vaccine. Spread via coughs and sneezes, canine hepatitis can lead to severe liver damage, and death. Parainfluenza Administered at 6-8 weeks of age, then every 3-4 weeks until 12-14 weeks old 1 dose A booster may be necessary after 1 year, depending on manufacturer recommendations; revaccination every 3 years is considered protective. Non-core dog vaccine. Parainfluenza infection results in cough, fever. It may be associated with Bordetella infection. Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough ) Depends on the vaccine type; 2 doses are usually needed for protection. 1 dose of the intranasal or oral product, or 2 doses of the injected product Annual or 6-month boosters may be recommended for dogs in high-risk environments. Non-core dog vaccine. Not usually a serious condition, although it can be dangerous in young puppies. It is usually seen after activities like boarding or showing. Lyme disease 1 dose, administered as early as 9 weeks, with a second dose 2-4 weeks later 2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart May be needed annually, prior to the start of tick season Non-core dog vaccine. Generally recommended only for dogs with a high risk for exposure to Lyme disease-carrying ticks. Leptospirosis First dose at 12 weeks; second dose 4 weeks later 2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart At least once yearly for dogs in high-risk areas Non-core dog vaccine. Vaccination is generally restricted to established risk areas. Exposure to rodents and standing water can lead to a leptospirosis infection. Canine influenza First dose as early as 6-8 weeks; second dose 2-4 weeks later 2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart Yearly Non-core dog vaccine.
Similar to bordetella.
Vaccination Schedule for Cats: Core and Non-core Vaccines
Cat Vaccine | Initial Kitten Vaccination (at or under 16 weeks) | Initial Adult Cat Vaccination (over 16 weeks) | Booster Recommendation | Comments |
Rabies | Single dose as early as 8 weeks of age, depending on the product. Revaccinate 1 year later. | 2 doses, 12 months apart | Required annually or every 3 years, depending on vaccine used. State regulations may determine the frequency and type of booster required. | Core cat vaccine. Rabies is 100% fatal to cats, with no treatment available. Prevention is key. |
Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia) | As early as 6 weeks, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. | 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart | 1 dose is given a year after the last dose of the initial series, then every 3 years. | Core cat vaccine. Feline distemper is a severe contagious disease that most commonly strikes kittens and can cause death. |
Feline Herpesvirus | As early as 6 weeks, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age | 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart | 1 dose is given a year after the last dose of the initial series, then every 3 years. | Core cat vaccine. Feline herpesvirus causes feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), a very contagious upper respiratory condition. |
Calicivirus | As early as 6 weeks, then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age | 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart | 1 dose is given a year after the last dose of the initial series, then every 3 years. | Core cat vaccine. A very contagious upper respiratory condition that can cause joint pain, oral ulcerations, fever, and anorexia. |
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) | As early as 8 weeks, then 3-4 weeks later | 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart | 1 dose is given a year after the last dose of the initial series, then annually | Non-core cat vaccine. Should test FeLV negative first. Transmitted via cat-to-cat contact. Can cause cancer, immunosuppressant |
Bordetella | At 8 weeks, then 2-4 weeks later | 2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart | Annually | Non-core cat vaccine. A contagious upper respiratory condition. |