Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats: What They Protect Against
In this guide
Vaccinations have made once-common, often fatal diseases such as canine parvovirus and feline panleukopenia far rarer in pets. But the diseases still circulate, especially where vaccination rates are low.
Your vet will recommend a schedule based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and where you live. This guide explains the basics so you know what to ask.
Core and non-core vaccines
Core vaccines are recommended for every dog or cat because the diseases are widespread and serious. Non-core (lifestyle) vaccines are recommended depending on risk — for example, whether your dog goes to kennels or your cat goes outdoors.
Dogs
Core vaccines for dogs typically protect against:
- Canine distemper
- Canine parvovirus
- Infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus)
- Rabies, where it is present or legally required
Dogs: lifestyle vaccines
Depending on region and lifestyle, vets may also recommend vaccines for leptospirosis (spread by rodents and contaminated water), kennel cough, and Lyme disease. Leptospirosis is considered core in many countries.
Cats
Core vaccines for cats typically protect against:
- Feline panleukopenia (feline parvovirus)
- Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus, the main causes of “cat flu”
- Rabies, where it is present or legally required
Cats: lifestyle vaccines
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) vaccination is often recommended for kittens and for cats that go outdoors or live with cats of unknown status.
Why a course is needed
Young animals receive antibodies from their mother’s milk, which protect them early on but can also block vaccines from working. Because it is impossible to know exactly when those antibodies fade, puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccinations several weeks apart, with the last usually given at around 16 weeks or older. Until the course is complete, keep puppies away from places where unvaccinated dogs may have been.
Boosters
Protection fades at different rates for different diseases. Some vaccines are given every year; others every three years. Many vets combine boosters with an annual health check, which is valuable in its own right. Ask your vet which vaccines are due and why.
Side effects
Mild tiredness, a small swelling at the injection site, or reduced appetite for a day are common. Serious reactions are rare. Contact your vet straight away if your pet has facial swelling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or collapses after a vaccine.
This is general pet-care information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different — if you are worried about your pet's health or behaviour, contact your veterinarian. In an emergency or a suspected poisoning, call your vet or an animal poison-control line immediately.