VACCINATION

VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR DOGS & CATS IN INDIA

September 5, 2025

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VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR DOGS & CATS IN INDIA

Protecting Pets, Preventing Disease, Promoting One Health

Vaccination is one of the most powerful tools in preventive veterinary medicine. In India, where climatic diversity, stray animal interaction, and endemic diseases pose unique challenges, timely and appropriate vaccination of dogs and cats is not just a health protocol—it’s a responsibility.

This blog outlines the recommended vaccination schedule for dogs and cats in India, explains the difference between core and non-core vaccines, and offers practical Do’s and Don’ts for pet owners and caregivers.

Understanding Core vs Non-Core Vaccines

Core Vaccines

These are essential for all pets, regardless of breed, age, or lifestyle. They protect against highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases.

🐶 Dogs

Rabies: Mandatory by law; zoonotic and fatal
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
Canine Adenovirus (CAV-2)
Leptospirosis (especially in tropical regions)

🐱 Cats

Rabies
Feline Panleukopenia (FPV)
Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1)
Feline Calicivirus (FCV)

🟡 Non-Core Vaccines

These are optional and administered based on risk factors such as geography, lifestyle, exposure, and travel.

🐶 Dogs

Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough)
Canine Influenza Virus
Coronavirus
Lyme Disease (rare in India)

🐱 Cats

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
Chlamydia felis
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Core vaccines

Disease	Vaccine type	Age
		Puppies ≤16weeks	Dogs >16weeks	Revaccination
Canine Parvo virus-2, Canine Distemper virus, Canine Adeno virus-2 (combined or individual vaccine)	Multivalent live attenuated (MLV)	1st dose: 6–8 wks, repeat every 2–4 wks until ≥16 wks	Two doses 2 to 4weeks apart	Revaccinate once at 6 months of age, then at 3 years, and thereafter every 3 years
Rabies	Inactivated	12 weeks	NA	Revaccination at 1year of age (or 1year after the primary vaccination)
Leptospira spp. either as combined or individual vaccine	killed bacterin	1st dose: 6–8 8 weeks of age. A second dose 2 to 4weeks later	Two doses 2 to 4weeks apart	Annually
Canine corona virus	Inactivated	6-8 weeks	12 weeks	Every 1-3 Years

VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR DOGS

Non-Core vaccines

Disease

Vaccine type

Age

Puppies ≤16weeks

Dogs >16weeks

Revaccination

Canine Parainfluenza Virus

Multivalent live attenuated

1st dose: 6 weeks of age onwards, then every 2 to 4weeks until 16weeks of age

Two doses 2 to 4weeks apart

Annually

N.B. Vaccines not recommended for pet dogs are Canine parvovirus-2 killed, Canine coronavirus killed and MLV, Giardia spp. and Microsporum canis.

VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR CATS (Core vaccines)

Disease	Vaccine type		Age
		Kittens ≤16weeks		Cats >16weeks	Revaccination
Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV)+feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV)+feline calicivirus (FCV)	Modified live attenuated	1st dose: 6 weeks of age onwards, then every 2 to 4weeks until 16weeks of age		Two doses 2 to 4weeks apart	Revaccinate once at 6 months of age, then at 3 years, and thereafter every 3 years
Feline leukemia	inactivated, adjuvanted vaccines	1st dose: 8weeks of age. 2^nd dose 3 to 4weeks later		Two doses, 3 to 4weeks apart	Revaccinate 1year following the last dose of the initial series
Rabies	Inactivated	Single dose at 12–16 wks		NA	Booster at 12 mo, then every 1–3 yrs

VACCINATION SCHEDULE FOR CATS (Non-Core vaccines)

Disease	Vaccine type	Age
		Kitten ≤16weeks	Cats >16weeks	Revaccination
Feline immunodeficiency virus	killed, adjuvanted	1^st dose: 8weeks of age; two subsequent doses at intervals of 2 to 3weeks	Three doses administered 2 to 3weeks apart	Annually
Chlamydia felis	avirulent live, non-adjuvanted	1^st dose: 9weeks of age; a second dose 2 to 4weeks later	Administer two doses, 2 to 4weeks apart	Annually
Bordetella bronchiseptica	avirulent live, nonadjuvanted, intranasal	A single dose intranasally as early as 4weeks of age	Administer a single dose intranasally	Annually

N.B. Vaccines not recommended for pet cats are Feline infectious peritonitis (live attenuated, nonadjuvanted, intranasal, Giardia spp. and Microsporum canis.

Don’ts

· Don’t mix different vaccine products/components in the same syringe

· Don’t vaccinate weak and sick pups/kittens

· Don’t stress the pets until 2-weeks post-vaccination

· Avoid administering antibiotics and immunosuppressants until 2-weeks post-vaccination

· Avoid annual core boosters when immunity lasts 3+ years.

· Don’t skip the last puppy/kitten dose at ≥16 weeks

· Don’t over-vaccinate geriatrics

· Don’t rely only on vaccination: combine with good parasite control, nutrition, and herd health measures.

Do’s

· Deworm your pet(s) at least one week before vaccination

· Giving vaccines from different manufacturers on the same day at different anatomical sites does not reduce immunity

· Use separate syringes and sites if giving more than one vaccine at the same visit and record site, manufacturer, lot no., and expiry.

· Use only sterilized disposable syringes and needle

· Ensure vaccine is not expired and cold chain (2-8°C) is not broken

· Administer each vaccine as labeled (route, dose, interval)

· If unsure, consult the manufacturers’ technical data sheets

· Report adverse reactions to manufacturers and authorities.

Why It Matters

In India, where rabies is still endemic and zoonotic threats are real, pet vaccination is a public health imperative. It aligns with the One Health approach—protecting animals, humans, and the environment in a shared ecosystem.

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