Vaccines protect pets from serious—and sometimes fatal—diseases. But the schedule can feel confusing, especially for new pet parents.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what most dogs and cats need and when.
➡️ Wellness care: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/services/wellness-care/
➡️ Request appointment: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/request-appointment/
Core vs lifestyle vaccines (quick overview)
Core vaccines are recommended for most pets because the diseases are widespread and severe.
Lifestyle vaccines depend on risk (boarding, grooming, travel, exposure to other animals).
Puppy vaccine schedule (general guide)
Most puppies start vaccines around 6–8 weeks and continue every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks (varies by risk).
Common puppy vaccines include:
- Core protection against major contagious diseases
- Rabies (timing depends on local requirements)
Your vet will tailor this to your puppy’s lifestyle and exposure.
Kitten vaccine schedule (general guide)
Kittens commonly start around 6–8 weeks, then boosters every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks.
Common kitten vaccines include:
- Core feline protection against widespread contagious disease
- Rabies (timing depends on local requirements)
Adult boosters
Adult boosters depend on:
- Vaccine type
- Medical history
- Lifestyle risk
- Local regulations (rabies)
This is why annual wellness visits matter: we build a plan that fits your pet, not a one-size chart.
FAQs pet parents ask
Do indoor cats need vaccines? Often yes—because some diseases can still be carried inside.
Are vaccines safe? Most pets do very well; mild soreness/sleepiness can happen.
What if my pet is overdue? We can help you safely catch up.
Schedule a wellness visit
➡️ Wellness care: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/services/wellness-care/
➡️ General medicine: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/services/general-medicine/
➡️ Request appointment: https://poplarviewpethospital.com/request-appointment/
