A typical dog and cat vaccine schedule starts at 6 to 8 weeks of age, repeats core vaccines every 2 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks or older, then adds a booster around 6 months to a year and adult boosters on a schedule your vet sets. In Ontario, every cat, dog and ferret 3 months or older must also be vaccinated against rabies.
That is the general pattern from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Your own pet's schedule depends on their age, health, lifestyle and where you live, so it is always your vet's call. This guide explains the guidelines so the conversation with your vet is easier.
Core and non-core vaccines: what is the difference?
Core vaccines are recommended for every dog or every cat, wherever they live. Non-core vaccines are recommended based on risk: where your pet goes, who they meet and where you live.
| Dogs | Cats | |
|---|---|---|
| WSAVA core (worldwide) | Canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus | Feline parvovirus (panleukopenia), feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus 1 |
| Also core in North America | Rabies, and leptospirosis for dogs that go outside (AAHA, updated in 2024) | Rabies; and feline leukemia virus for kittens and young cats (AAHA and AAFP) |
| Examples of non-core | Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme disease, canine influenza | Feline leukemia virus for adult cats, depending on risk |
Non-core does not mean unimportant. In parts of Canada, for example, your vet may recommend a Lyme vaccine for a dog that hikes or spends time in tall grass, or Bordetella for a dog that goes to daycare. Ask what fits your pet's life.
The dog and cat vaccine schedule for puppies and kittens
Young animals get several rounds of core vaccines because antibodies from their mother fade at different times, and can block a vaccine given too early. The WSAVA 2024 guidelines recommend core vaccines every 2 to 4 weeks, with the last one at 16 weeks of age or older, then another dose at or after 26 weeks.
| Age | Puppies | Kittens |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | First core vaccines | First core vaccines |
| Every 2 to 4 weeks after | Core vaccines repeated | Core vaccines repeated; feline leukemia often started from about 8 weeks |
| 16 weeks or older | Last puppy round of core vaccines | Last kitten round of core vaccines |
| Around 12 to 16 weeks | Rabies, timed by your vet and local law | Rabies, timed by your vet and local law |
| 26 weeks to 1 year | A booster to close any gap | A booster to close any gap |
The key number is 16 weeks: the guidelines say the last puppy or kitten round of core vaccines should be at 16 weeks of age or older.
How often do adult dogs and cats need boosters?
Less often than many owners think, for some vaccines. The WSAVA says modified live core vaccines for adult dogs should be given no more often than every three years, because the protection lasts for years. Rabies boosters follow the vaccine's licence and local law, which is why your pet's rabies certificate shows a date to revaccinate by.
Some vaccines, like leptospirosis and Bordetella, usually need yearly boosters to keep working. That is why a yearly checkup is still common even when not every vaccine is due. Your vet will tell you which vaccines are due when.
What does the law say about rabies vaccines?
In Ontario, Regulation 567 under the Health Protection and Promotion Act says every owner of a cat, dog or ferret three months of age or older must make sure the animal is vaccinated against rabies, and revaccinated by the date on its certificate. The vet gives you a signed certificate and a rabies tag.
Other provinces and US states and cities set their own rules, so check with your local public health unit or your vet. Daycares, kennels and groomers usually ask for proof too; see proof of rabies vaccination for daycare and boarding.
Questions to ask your vet
- Which vaccines are core for my pet, and which non-core ones do you recommend for our lifestyle?
- When is each one due next, and how long does each last?
- My pet had a reaction before. What should we do differently?
- We are travelling or boarding soon. Is there anything to do ahead of time?
- Can you give me a copy of the vaccine certificates?
This post explains guidelines; it is not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet and decides what is right for them.
How to keep track of the schedule
Vaccine dates are easy to lose between clinics, boarding forms and moves. In the free PetGrid app, you can add each vaccine with the date given and the date due, from any vet, and set a reminder by email or phone notification. You can download a vaccine card as a PDF with a QR code for a kennel or groomer to scan. See the features and the records questions.
Pip, your pet's Wellness Buddy in the app, can find a date in your app or share guidance from official government pet care pages, but Pip is not a vet. For any question about your pet's vaccines, ask your clinic.
Questions people ask
What vaccines does my puppy need in Canada?
The guidelines list distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus as core for every puppy, and in North America AAHA also lists rabies, and leptospirosis for dogs that go outside. Rabies is required by law in Ontario from 3 months of age. Your vet may add non-core vaccines like Bordetella or Lyme based on your dog's lifestyle.
What vaccines does my kitten need?
Core vaccines for kittens are feline parvovirus (panleukopenia), calicivirus and herpesvirus, plus rabies. AAHA and AAFP also consider feline leukemia virus core for kittens and young cats. Your vet will tailor the plan to whether your cat goes outside.
When should puppy and kitten shots finish?
The WSAVA guidelines say the last round of core vaccines should be at 16 weeks of age or older, with another dose at or after 26 weeks. Your vet sets the exact dates.
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes. Core vaccines are recommended for every cat, and in Ontario the law requires rabies vaccination for cats 3 months and older, indoor or not. Your vet may skip some non-core vaccines for a cat that never goes outside.
Does my dog need vaccines every year?
Not always. The WSAVA says modified live core vaccines for adult dogs should be given no more often than every three years, but some vaccines, like leptospirosis, usually need yearly boosters. Ask your vet which are due each year.
Is rabies vaccination the law in Ontario?
Yes. Ontario Regulation 567 requires owners of cats, dogs and ferrets 3 months or older to keep them vaccinated against rabies. The vet gives you a signed certificate and a tag.
The short version
Puppies and kittens get core vaccines every few weeks until at least 16 weeks, then a booster, then adult boosters on a schedule your vet sets. Rabies is core in North America and the law in Ontario.
Keep the dates in one place, with reminders, and the schedule takes care of itself. The PetGrid app is free for pet owners and works with any vet.
Keep your pet's records, vaccines and visits in one safe place. The PetGrid app is free for pet owners, with or without a clinic.
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