Dog and cat vaccination schedule
Choose species, breed, and your pet’s age: we list vaccines already due, what to do now, and upcoming boosters, with the full vaccination protocol for puppies, kittens, and adults.
Species
Breed
Your pet’s age
Your Norwegian Buhund vaccination plan
Enter age or birth date to see which vaccines to do now and when the next boosters are due.
CHPPi (core vaccine)
CoreDistemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza
- Primary series 1·8 weeks
- Primary series 2·12 weeks
- Primary series 3·3 months
- Booster 1·1 year
After the booster at one year, your veterinarian may propose a booster every three years for the distemper, hepatitis and parvovirosis components.
Leptospirosis
CoreLeptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water)
- Primary series 1·8 weeks
- Primary series 2·12 weeks
- Booster 1·1 year
The annual booster is essential: it is the vaccine whose protection wears off the fastest.
Rabies
Lifestyle-basedRabies
- Primary series 1·12 weeks
- Booster 1·1 year
Who for? Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows
The period of validity depends on the vaccine used (1 to 3 years): check the date written in the passport before departure.
Kennel cough
Lifestyle-basedBordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza
- Primary series 1·8 weeks
- Booster 1·1 year
Who for? Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows
To be done at least two weeks before a stay in a boarding kennel.
Piroplasmosis
Lifestyle-basedTick-borne babesiosis
- Primary series 1·5 months
- Primary series 2·6 months
- Booster 1·1 year
Who for? Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks
In regions with high tick pressure, the veterinarian may recommend a booster every six months.
Lyme disease
Lifestyle-basedTick-borne borreliosis
- Primary series 1·12 weeks
- Primary series 2·3 months
- Booster 1·1 year
Who for? Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center
Schedule the booster at the beginning of spring, before the peak of tick activity.
Leishmaniasis
Lifestyle-basedLeishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies
- Primary series 1·6 months
- Booster 1·1 year and 6 months
Who for? Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin
A screening blood test is necessary before the first injection.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
Why vaccinate your dog or cat?
Vaccination protects your pet against serious diseases, often fatal and sometimes transmissible to humans: parvovirus, distemper, and leptospirosis in dogs; panleukopenia, cat flu, and FeLV in cats; rabies in both. A puppy or kitten is born protected by its mother’s antibodies, but this protection fades between 6 and 16 weeks: this is the window when the primary vaccination course takes over.
The protocol happens in three stages: the primary vaccination course (two or three shots 4 weeks apart, between 8 and 16 weeks), the first booster one year later, then regular adult boosters, every year or every three years depending on the vaccine. Missing a booster by several months may require restarting the primary vaccination course.
Some vaccines are core for all animals; others depend on lifestyle: outdoor access, hunting, hiking, boarding, shows, travel abroad, or region of residence. Your veterinarian builds the vaccination schedule suited to your companion; this page helps you prepare for the appointment and not forget a booster.
Dog and puppy vaccination schedule
Core dog vaccines are CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. They are recommended for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle. Vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis are decided with your veterinarian based on activities, region, and planned travel.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
The rabies vaccine is required to travel within the European Union, for category 1 and 2 dogs, and is often required by boarding kennels and shows. The ages shown reflect common protocols in France; your veterinarian may adjust them.
Cat and kitten vaccination schedule
Core cat vaccines are Typhus (panleukopenia) and Coryza, including for indoor cats: the panleukopenia virus can be carried in on shoes. Vaccines against Feline leukemia (FeLV), Rabies and Chlamydiosis are decided with your veterinarian based on outdoor access, multi-cat households, and planned travel.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Typhus (panleukopenia)Core Feline panleukopenia (cat parvovirus) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
CoryzaCore Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
Feline leukemia (FeLV)Lifestyle-based Feline leukemia virus | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Outdoor cats, cats living in a group or in a cattery |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, cat shows and most boarding kennels |
ChlamydiosisLifestyle-based Chlamydia felis (contagious conjunctivitis) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Cats living in groups, catteries, show cats |
The rabies vaccine is required to travel within the European Union and to take part in cat shows. The ages shown reflect common protocols in France; your veterinarian may adjust them.
Our tips to never miss a booster
Keep the record up to date
Each shot is recorded in the health record or EU passport with the date of the next booster: it is the reference document, check it at adoption.
Stick to intervals
A booster a few weeks late is still possible, but after several months you often need to redo a full primary vaccination course.
Adapt to lifestyle
Hunting, forest hikes, boarding kennel, cattery, outdoor access: tell your veterinarian everything to add useful vaccines and avoid unnecessary ones.
Plan travel ahead
The rabies vaccine is valid only 21 days after the shot: plan it at least one month before traveling abroad, along with identification and the passport.
Frequently asked questions about dog and cat vaccines
The first shot is given around 8 weeks, when maternal antibodies start to decline. It is followed by a second at 12 weeks and, for core vaccines, a third at 16 weeks. An unvaccinated adopted animal can start at any age.
No vaccine is mandatory for a dog or cat living in France, except rabies for category 1 and 2 dogs. However, rabies becomes mandatory to travel within the European Union, and boarding kennels, campsites, clubs, and shows most often require an up-to-date health record (core vaccines, rabies, kennel cough).
The first booster is given one year after the primary vaccination course. After that, leptospirosis, cat flu, FeLV, and kennel cough are boosted every year; distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and panleukopenia every year or every three years depending on the vaccine and your veterinarian; rabies according to the validity of the vaccine used (1 to 3 years).
A delay of a few weeks usually has no impact: your veterinarian simply gives the booster. After several months, immunity is no longer guaranteed and you often need to restart the primary vaccination course (two shots one month apart). For rabies, a delay cancels the passport validity for travel.
Expect €50 to €90 per shot, including consultation, depending on the clinic and included components. A full primary vaccination course therefore costs €120 to €250, then an annual booster around €60 to €90. Some pet health insurance plans reimburse part of preventive costs.
Yes, at least against panleukopenia and cat flu. The panleukopenia virus is extremely resistant and can be carried in on shoes; cat flu spreads easily during a vet visit or in a boarding facility. FeLV and rabies are reserved for cats that go outside or travel.
The basic protocol is the same for all breeds within a species. However, a breed’s typical lifestyle guides optional vaccines: babesiosis and Lyme disease for a hunting or hiking dog, FeLV for an outdoor cat, kennel cough for a dog that goes to a boarding kennel. You will find these tips on each breed’s health page.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
Want to learn more about your breed?
Health, common diseases, diet, price, and breeders: explore our complete guides.