Vaccination planner for dogs & cats
Build a simple vaccination roadmap based on your pet's age, history and lifestyle — then take it to your veterinarian.
Answer a few short questions about your pet and this tool builds a personalised vaccination roadmap — what looks recorded, what to check, what to discuss and what records to bring. It is educational and based on current vaccination guidelines. It deliberately does not output fixed dates, doses or a prescription, because those depend on your individual pet, the vaccines used and local rules. Your veterinarian confirms the final plan.
Build your pet's vaccination roadmap
Educational planner — in veterinary review. This builds questions and milestones to discuss with your veterinarian. It does not prescribe vaccines, dates or doses and cannot replace an individual veterinary assessment. Vaccine choice and legal requirements — including rabies — depend on your pet and your location.
Your answers stay in this browser session — nothing is sent to a server or saved to your device.
Core vs risk-based vaccines
Vaccination guidelines group vaccines into two kinds. Core vaccines are recommended for essentially all dogs or cats because the diseases are severe, widespread or spread to people. Non-core (risk-based) vaccines are chosen for an individual pet based on where it lives, its lifestyle and its exposure. WSAVA's core diseases are distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus for dogs, and panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus for cats; rabies is treated as core wherever it is endemic, including India. Organisations can classify a vaccine differently — for example, WSAVA lists leptospirosis as non-core, while AAHA now recommends it as a core vaccine for all dogs. These are not identical frameworks, so your veterinarian decides which apply to your pet.
Why puppy & kitten vaccines come in a series
Young animals carry antibodies from their mother that protect them early but also block vaccines from working — and that protection fades at an age that differs between individuals. Because of this, WSAVA describes a series of core vaccinations rather than a single shot, typically starting at around 6–8 weeks and repeating every 2–4 weeks, with the final dose given at 16 weeks of age or older. Exact timing depends on the age at first vaccination, the vaccine product and your veterinarian's protocol.
Adult boosters & vaccination history
After the primary series, WSAVA advises a follow-up core dose (commonly at around 6 months of age) or antibody (titre) testing to confirm protection. In adults, modified-live core vaccines provide a long duration of immunity, so WSAVA advises giving them no more often than every three years — not automatically every year. Some risk-based vaccines are given more frequently. An unknown history does not automatically mean repeating a full puppy or kitten series; your vet uses age, any records, vaccine type and — where appropriate — titre testing to decide.
Rabies & India
Rabies matters for both animal and human health. It is almost always fatal once signs appear, and in India the great majority of human rabies deaths are linked to dog bites. India is rabies-endemic and runs a national programme — the Government of India's National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination from India by 2030 (NAPRE) — aiming to end dog-mediated human rabies deaths. WSAVA treats rabies vaccination as core wherever rabies is endemic. Local licensing, municipal and travel requirements can vary between states and cities, so we don't publish a single fixed India schedule; confirm the rule that applies to you with your veterinarian or local authority.
What if vaccination records are missing?
Missing paperwork is common, especially with adopted or rescued pets. It does not mean starting again from scratch. Bring whatever you do have — a vaccination booklet, a previous clinic's record, or adoption papers — and your veterinarian can combine that with your pet's age and, where useful, titre testing to decide the next step. The planner's "what we still need to know" box turns your gaps into a short list to take to the clinic.
Titre testing — what it can and cannot tell you
A titre (antibody) test measures antibodies against certain diseases and can help decide whether a core booster is truly needed. It is useful for some antigens more than others, so it is not a universal substitute for vaccination. Rabies serology has specific regulatory uses — for example some international travel — but should not be assumed to replace a rabies vaccination that is recommended or legally required. Your veterinarian will advise when a titre is appropriate.
Preparing for a vaccination appointment
Take any vaccination booklet or certificate, previous clinic or adoption records, a note of any ongoing medical conditions or current medicines, and details of any previous reaction after a vaccine. If your pet travels or you plan to travel, bring any travel documentation. The planner generates a tailored version of this checklist based on your answers.
What to watch after vaccination
Most pets are fine after vaccination; know the ordinary from the urgent.
Mild, short-lived effects such as slight tiredness or tenderness at the injection site can occur and usually settle on their own. Contact your veterinarian if you're worried, or if there is persistent vomiting, a swollen face, hives, or difficulty breathing — these can be signs of a rare allergic reaction and need prompt attention.
- Facial swelling, hives, collapse or breathing difficulty — treat as urgent
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, or a lump that grows or persists at the injection site
- Always tell your vet before the next vaccination if there was any previous reaction
Frequently asked questions
Does my adult dog need vaccines every year?
Not necessarily for core vaccines. WSAVA advises core vaccines in adult dogs no more often than every three years, because protection lasts. Some risk-based vaccines are given more often. Your vet sets the schedule, and titre testing can help.
Does an indoor cat still need vaccines?
Core vaccines are recommended for essentially all cats, including indoor cats, plus rabies where required. Risk-based vaccines such as FeLV depend on outdoor access and contact with other cats. Your vet will advise.
What if I don't have my pet's vaccination records?
An unknown history doesn't necessarily mean repeating every puppy or kitten vaccine. Your vet can use age, any documentation, vaccine type and — where appropriate — titre testing to decide the next step.
Is rabies vaccination necessary in India?
India is rabies-endemic and rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for pets; WSAVA treats rabies as core where endemic. Local licensing and legal requirements vary, so confirm the applicable rule with your vet or local authority.
Can vaccination be delayed if my pet is unwell?
Possibly — this is a decision for your veterinarian. If your pet is unwell or being treated for a condition, tell your vet so they can review current health before finalising vaccination. Don't assume it's automatically unsafe or automatically fine.
What is a titre test?
A blood test that measures antibodies to certain diseases and can help decide whether a core booster is needed. It's useful for some vaccines more than others and isn't a universal alternative to vaccination. Your vet advises when it's appropriate.
What if my pet had a previous vaccine reaction?
Tell your veterinarian before the next vaccination. They can review the previous reaction and decide the safest plan. Don't simply skip vaccines on your own.
Can this planner tell me the exact vaccine date?
No — and that's deliberate. It builds guideline-based discussion points and milestones, because exact timing depends on your individual pet, the vaccines used and local rules. Your veterinarian provides the actual schedule.
Sources
- SourceWSAVA — 2024 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats. wsava.org
- SourceWSAVA VGG — 2024 Guidelines (full PDF). wsava.org
- SourceSquires et al. (2024), Journal of Small Animal Practice — WSAVA VGG vaccination guidelines. onlinelibrary.wiley.com
- SourceAAHA — 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines (leptospirosis added as core, 2024). aaha.org
- SourceAAHA / AAFP — 2020 Feline Vaccination Guidelines. aaha.org
- SourceUC Davis Veterinary Medicine — Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. vetmed.ucdavis.edu
- SourceGovernment of India, NCDC — National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE). rabiesfreeindia.mohfw.gov.in