Core vs non-core vaccines
Core vaccines are recommended for every pet because the diseases they prevent are widespread, dangerous, or transmissible to humans. Non-core vaccines depend on lifestyle: where you live, whether your pet boards, how often they meet other animals.
- Dogs, core: distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, rabies.
- Dogs, non-core: leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme, canine influenza.
- Cats, core: feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, herpesvirus, rabies.
- Cats, non-core: feline leukemia, chlamydia, Bordetella.
Puppy and kitten timeline
Young animals receive a series of shots a few weeks apart. The repetition is intentional: maternal antibodies block the vaccine for the first weeks of life, and the schedule guarantees that protection takes hold once those antibodies fade.
- 6-8 weeks: first round of core vaccines.
- 10-12 weeks: second round.
- 14-16 weeks: third round, plus rabies where allowed.
- 12 months: first booster.
Adult boosters
Most core vaccines are boosted every one to three years depending on the product and local regulations. Some non-core vaccines need yearly boosters to stay effective. Your vet will choose based on risk, not habit.
Pro tip
Travel changes the rules. International trips often require rabies titres and specific timing. Plan at least three months ahead.
Common myths
Two beliefs cause real harm. The first is that indoor pets do not need vaccines, viruses travel on shoes, clothes, and other animals. The second is that vaccines are 'too many'. Modern vaccines are highly purified and combined to reduce the number of injections, not increase them.
Never miss a date again
Vaccination is a calendar problem disguised as a medical one. Pawddy keeps every due date in your pocket, sends gentle reminders before they expire, and stores the vaccination booklet so you always have it ready for travel, boarding, or a new vet.
A consistent vaccination schedule protects your pet, the animals around them, and sometimes your family too. Treat it like an appointment you keep with the future, small effort now, fewer emergencies later.