Vaccination Schedules for Dogs and Cats: Current Guidelines Explained

Vaccination Schedules for Dogs and Cats: Current Guidelines Explained

Vaccination remains one of the most impactful preventive health interventions in small animal practice. Yet guidelines have evolved considerably — with extended intervals for core vaccines, updated non-core recommendations, and growing evidence against annual boosters for certain diseases.

Core vs Non-Core Vaccines

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) both distinguish between core vaccines (recommended for all dogs/cats regardless of lifestyle) and non-core vaccines (risk-based, recommended for specific exposures).

Dogs — Core Vaccines

> Key evidence: Core vaccines (CDV, CPV-2, CAV-2) provide immunological memory lasting at least 3 years. Annual boosters for these vaccines are not evidence-based for previously vaccinated adult dogs.

> Reference: Day et al. (2016). Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. PMID: 26780857

Cats — Core Vaccines

> Reference: Day et al. (2016). Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. PMID: 26780853

Non-Core Vaccines — Dogs

• Bordetella bronchiseptica — dogs in boarding, training classes, dog shows, or dog parks. Annual revaccination.
• Leptospira — endemic areas or dogs with water/wildlife exposure. Annual revaccination required.
• Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme) — endemic regions. Annual revaccination.
• Canine Influenza (H3N2, H3N8) — high-density environments.

Non-Core Vaccines — Cats

• FeLV — outdoor cats, cats in multi-cat households, or kittens with unknown status.
• Chlamydia felis — multi-cat environments with recurrent upper respiratory disease.
• Bordetella — multi-cat households or boarding facilities.

The Maternal Antibody Window

Maternal antibodies (MDA) from colostrum can interfere with vaccine-induced immunity. This is why puppy and kitten primary series are given repeatedly — each dose attempts to immunise while MDA levels wane.

• MDAs typically become non-interfering between 12–16 weeks of age
• The final dose of the primary series must be given at or after 16 weeks — this is the most critical dose
• Dogs/cats that received their last primary dose before 16 weeks should receive a booster at 16 weeks

Titre Testing

Vaccination titre testing (measuring antibody levels) is an evidence-based alternative to routine revaccination for core vaccines in adult dogs and cats.

• Positive titres for CDV, CPV-2, and FPV indicate protective immunity
• WSAVA acknowledges titre testing as a valid alternative to triennial boosters
• A negative titre does not definitively indicate susceptibility (cell-mediated immunity not measured)

> Reference: Schultz et al. (2010). Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. PMID: 20645435

Special Populations

Immunocompromised Patients

Avoid modified live virus (MLV) vaccines in immunocompromised patients (chemotherapy, high-dose corticosteroids, immune-mediated disease). Use killed/inactivated vaccines only.

Pregnant Animals

Do not vaccinate pregnant animals with MLV vaccines — teratogenicity and abortion risk. Ensure vaccination is completed before breeding.

Geriatric Patients

Current evidence supports extending vaccine intervals in healthy older pets with documented immune competence via titre testing. Triennial core boosters remain appropriate for most geriatric patients.

Vaccination Records

Accurate vaccination records are legally required for rabies vaccination in many jurisdictions and essential for boarding, travel, and outbreak response.

PetChart automatically flags upcoming vaccination due dates based on each patient history, sends client reminders, and maintains a digital vaccination record for every patient — with automated recall campaigns for overdue patients.

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Based on WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group (2016) and AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines. PMIDs: 26780857, 26780853, 20645435, 17803726. Always consult current guidelines for your jurisdiction.