Table of Contents
What Is a Puppy Vaccination Schedule?
A puppy vaccination schedule maps the core vaccine series — commonly DAP or DHPP and rabies — across the 6-16 week age window when maternal antibody interference makes a single dose unreliable, plus a framework for deciding which non-core vaccines fit an individual puppy's lifestyle and regional risk.
The same logic applies to kittens with a different core series (FVRCP) and a separate discussion around FeLV testing and vaccination. Core vs. non-core is a widely used convention, commonly framed per AAHA guidance for dogs and AAFP guidance for cats — this page describes those conventions generally rather than reproducing any single organization's exact published schedule.
A printed schedule keeps the series on track. Copy the puppy or kitten template below, hand it to the owner at the first visit, and use it to check off each visit as it happens — it also gives the front desk a simple way to remind owners when the next dose is due.
Required Elements of a Vaccine Schedule
1Age-Based Schedule
- • 6-8 week, 10-12 week, 14-16 week visit windows
- • Vaccine given and date administered
- • Rabies timing per local/state law
- • 1-year booster due date
2Vaccine & Route
- • Specific product/combination given
- • Route (typically subcutaneous)
- • Lot number for medical record
- • Any vaccine reaction noted
3Core vs. Non-Core Determination
- • Lifestyle risk (boarding, dog parks, outdoor access)
- • Regional/environmental exposure risk
- • Multi-pet or shelter-type household risk
- • Owner education and shared decision documented
4Titer & Booster Notes
- • Whether titer testing was discussed as an alternative
- • Booster interval per product label and protocol
- • FeLV/FIV testing status for kittens
- • Next due date clearly recorded
Copyable Vaccination Schedule Templates
Copy the schedule that matches your patient, or print both if a household is bringing home a puppy and a kitten together.
Puppy Core Vaccination Schedule
DAP/DHPP series with non-core discussion points
CORE SERIES
6-8 wks: [ ] DAP/DHPP — Date: ___
10-12 wks: [ ] DAP/DHPP booster — Date: ___
14-16 wks: [ ] DAP/DHPP final — Date: ___ [ ] Rabies (per local law) — Date: ___
NON-CORE (LIFESTYLE-BASED)
[ ] Bordetella [ ] Leptospirosis [ ] Lyme [ ] Canine influenza
BOOSTER PLAN
1-year booster due: ___ Subsequent interval per label/protocol
Educational reference only — vaccine selection and timing should be individualized per patient; rabies timing is set by state/local law.
Kitten Vaccination Schedule
FVRCP series with FeLV/FIV testing and rabies timing
CORE SERIES
6-8 wks: [ ] FVRCP — Date: ___
10-12 wks: [ ] FVRCP booster — Date: ___ [ ] FeLV/FIV testing discussed
14-16 wks: [ ] FVRCP final — Date: ___ [ ] Rabies (per local law) — Date: ___
NON-CORE / RISK-BASED
[ ] FeLV (commonly discussed as core for kittens given first-year risk)
[ ] Chlamydophila/Bordetella (multi-cat settings)
TESTING & BOOSTER PLAN
FeLV/FIV result: [ ] Negative [ ] Positive [ ] Not tested
1-year booster due: ___
Educational reference only — vaccine selection and timing should be individualized per patient; rabies timing is set by state/local law.
Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines
Core Vaccines (Dogs)
Commonly described per AAHA convention as vaccines recommended for essentially all dogs regardless of lifestyle, because the diseases are severe, widespread, or pose public-health risk: distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus (DAP/DHPP components), and rabies.
Non-Core Vaccines (Dogs)
Recommended based on individual lifestyle and regional risk rather than universally: Bordetella, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and canine influenza are commonly discussed in this category and selected per patient.
Core Vaccines (Cats)
Commonly described per AAFP convention as recommended for essentially all cats: FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) and rabies. FeLV is frequently treated as core for kittens given typical first-year exposure risk, then reassessed for adult lifestyle.
Non-Core Vaccines (Cats)
Selected based on lifestyle — outdoor access, multi-cat households, or shelter-type environments — and commonly includes ongoing FeLV vaccination for at-risk adult cats and, in some settings, chlamydophila or additional respiratory pathogen coverage.
A Note on Titer Testing
Titer testing measures circulating antibody levels for a given disease and can inform a conversation about whether a booster is likely necessary for core vaccines like distemper and parvovirus. It is not a universal substitute for boosters — antibody presence doesn't guarantee complete protection in every case, and it does not apply to rabies vaccination, which is governed by law rather than by titer results. Discuss whether titers fit a specific patient with the attending veterinarian rather than treating this as a default alternative.
Life-Stage & Setting Variants
Adult / Senior Booster Schedule
Once the puppy or kitten series and 1-year booster are complete, subsequent boosters are commonly discussed as annual or triennial depending on the specific vaccine product and practice protocol — document which interval was selected and why for each vaccine.
Shelter / High-Density Environments
Shelters and high-turnover boarding facilities commonly start core vaccines earlier and repeat them at shorter intervals due to higher exposure risk — follow your facility's specific protocol rather than a general practice schedule.
Indoor-Only Cat Variant
An indoor-only cat still needs core vaccines, but non-core vaccines like ongoing FeLV boosters are more likely to be discontinued after the kitten series once outdoor/exposure risk is confirmed to be minimal — document the lifestyle discussion in the record.
Multi-Pet Household Staggering
When multiple puppies or kittens from the same household are on the schedule, staggering visit dates slightly can make it easier to track each patient's individual series without relying on memory — use one schedule template per patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age does the puppy core vaccine series start?
The puppy DAP/DHPP series commonly starts around 6-8 weeks of age, with boosters roughly every 3-4 weeks through 14-16 weeks — the exact starting age and interval can vary slightly by practice protocol and the specific vaccine product used.
Why does the puppy series need multiple doses instead of just one?
Maternal antibodies passed from the mother can neutralize a vaccine and block the puppy from developing its own immunity, but exactly when those maternal antibodies wear off varies puppy to puppy — giving a series of doses through 14-16 weeks helps ensure at least one dose is given after maternal antibody interference has faded.
What is the difference between core and non-core vaccines?
Core vaccines are commonly described as recommended for essentially all patients of that species because the diseases they prevent are severe, widespread, or pose public-health risk (like rabies). Non-core vaccines are selected based on an individual patient's lifestyle and regional exposure risk — a dog that boards frequently has a different non-core recommendation than one that never leaves a fenced yard.
Why does rabies timing vary by location?
Rabies vaccination requirements — including the age of the first dose and the revaccination interval — are set by state and local law, not by a single national standard, so the exact timing in this template should be confirmed against the specific jurisdiction the patient lives in.
Is titer testing a substitute for booster vaccines?
A titer test measures circulating antibody levels and can inform a discussion about whether a booster is likely necessary, but a positive titer does not universally guarantee full protection, and titer testing does not apply to rabies vaccination requirements, which are set by law rather than by antibody level. Discuss whether titer testing fits a specific patient's situation with the attending veterinarian.
When should a kitten be tested for FeLV/FIV?
It is common practice to test kittens for FeLV/FIV before starting the FeLV vaccine series, particularly for kittens with unknown backgrounds, any outdoor exposure, or from a multi-cat/shelter-type environment — testing status should be documented in the record alongside the vaccine schedule.
Do indoor-only cats still need core vaccines?
Yes — core vaccines like FVRCP are recommended regardless of indoor/outdoor lifestyle because some of the diseases they prevent can be introduced without direct outdoor exposure (for example, on clothing, by other pets, or during boarding/veterinary visits), while non-core vaccines are more likely to be adjusted based on confirmed indoor-only status.
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