How often should you vaccinate your dog and cat? Vaccines are an essential part of your pet's health care routine. But it may be challenging to determine which ones your pet needs and when to get them. Things can get even more complicated when you include core (mandatory) and non-core vaccines (suggested by your vet).

Here is a schedule you can follow to help you understand the vaccines and how often your pet needs them.

Routine Vaccination Schedule for Dogs

A dog's basic vaccination schedule will include:

Core Vaccines

Dogs' core vaccines offer protection against diseases caused by rabies, canine distemper, canine parvovirus type two (CPV-2) and its alternatives, and canine adenovirus (CAV) types one and two.

Core Vaccines by Age:

• Six to 16 weeks old: Vaccines (and booster shots) consist of adenovirus, distemper, and parvovirus, with the final shots given at 16 weeks. Your dog can also receive a shot for rabies at 12 weeks old if required by the laws in your state. 

• At one year: Dogs need booster shots of distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus one year after completing their first vaccine series. Then, they will need booster vaccines every three years or more regularly.

Dogs also receive their second shot for rabies. Your dog can receive booster shots for rabies annually or every three years, according to your state's laws.

Non-core Vaccines

Non-core vaccines protect against Bordetella, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and canine influenza.

The first non-core vaccine is for Bordetella and parainfluenza; your dog receives them when they are six to eight weeks old. After two to four weeks, the vet may administer shots for leptospirosis, canine influenza, and Lyme disease and give booster shots two or four weeks later.

After finishing this first series of vaccines before turning 16 weeks, your dog will get booster shots every six months, annually, or every three years.

Routine Vaccination Schedule for Cats

A cat's basic vaccination schedule will include:

Core Vaccines

Core cat vaccines guard against rabies, feline distemper, feline herpesvirus, and calicivirus.

Core Vaccines by Age:

Six to 16 weeks old: Your cat will receive their first round of vaccines (and booster shots) every two to four weeks for feline distemper, feline herpesvirus, and calicivirus up until they are 16 weeks old. Your cat can also receive their first rabies shot at eight weeks old.

At one year: A year after finishing the first vaccination series, your cat will get a booster shot for feline distemper, feline herpesvirus, and calicivirus, then three years after that. Your cat will also require a vaccine booster a year after the first shot. They will need more booster shots annually or every three years, per your state's regulations.

Non-core Vaccines

Non-core vaccines consist of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Bordetella. 

Your cat will receive their first shot of FeLV at eight weeks and the second one after two to four weeks. Your cat will be due for two more booster shots placed three to four weeks apart. The vet will vaccinate your cat for Bordetella at four weeks old, followed by two booster shots set one year apart.

Your cat will continue to receive booster shots for non-core vaccines annually or whenever they are at risk of illness.

For more on pet vaccine routine schedules for dogs and cats, visit The Pets Place Animal Hospital at our office in Riverside, California. Call (951) 684-2181 to book an appointment today.