Dog and cat vaccination schedule
Choose your pet’s species, breed, and age to see which vaccines are due, which are due now, and upcoming boosters, along with the full vaccination schedule for puppies, kittens, and adults.
Species
Breed
Your pet’s age
Your Welsh Terrier’s vaccination plan
Enter your pet’s age or date of birth to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are due.
CHPPi (core vaccine)
CoreDistemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza
- Primary vaccination 1·8 weeks
- Primary vaccination 2·12 weeks
- Primary vaccination 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 vaccination 1·8 weeks
- Primary vaccination 2·12 weeks
- Booster 1·1 year
The annual booster is essential: it is the vaccine whose protection wears off the fastest.
Rabies
Depending on lifestyleRabies
- Primary vaccination 1·12 weeks
- Booster 1·1 year
For whom? 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
Depending on lifestyleBordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza
- Primary vaccination 1·8 weeks
- Booster 1·1 year
For whom? Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows
To be done at least two weeks before a stay in a boarding kennel.
Piroplasmosis
Depending on lifestyleTick-borne babesiosis
- Primary vaccination 1·5 months
- Primary vaccination 2·6 months
- Booster 1·1 year
For whom? 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
Depending on lifestyleTick-borne borreliosis
- Primary vaccination 1·12 weeks
- Primary vaccination 2·3 months
- Booster 1·1 year
For whom? 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
Depending on lifestyleLeishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies
- Primary vaccination 1·6 months
- Booster 1·1 year and 6 months
For whom? 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 for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. 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, often fatal diseases, some of which can also spread to people: parvovirus, distemper, and leptospirosis in dogs; feline panleukopenia, cat flu, and feline leukemia in cats; and rabies in both. Puppies and kittens are born protected by their mother’s antibodies, but this protection fades between 6 and 16 weeks of age. This is when primary vaccination takes over.
Vaccination follows three stages: primary vaccination (two or three shots, four weeks apart, between 8 and 16 weeks of age), the first booster a year later, then regular boosters in adulthood, every year or every three years depending on the vaccine. If a booster is missed by several months, the primary vaccination course may need to be repeated.
Some vaccines are essential for all pets; others depend on lifestyle, including outdoor access, hunting, hiking, boarding, shows, travel abroad, or where you live. Your vet will create a vaccination schedule tailored to your pet. This page can help you prepare for your appointment and remember upcoming boosters.
Dog and puppy vaccination schedule
Core dog vaccines include CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. They're recommended for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle. Discuss vaccines for Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis with your vet based on activities, location, and planned travel.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle 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 diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle 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 |
Rabies vaccination is required for travel within the European Union, for category 1 and 2 dogs, and is often required by boarding facilities and shows. The ages shown are based on common protocols in France; your vet may adjust them.
Cat and kitten vaccination schedule
Core cat vaccines include Typhus (panleukopenia) and Coryza, even for indoor cats: the virus that causes feline panleukopenia can be carried in on shoes. Discuss vaccines for Feline leukemia (FeLV), Rabies and Chlamydiosis with your vet based on outdoor access, living with other cats, and planned travel.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Typhus (panleukopenia)Core Feline panleukopenia (cat parvovirus) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
CoryzaCore Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
Feline leukemia (FeLV)Depending on lifestyle Feline leukemia virus | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Outdoor cats, cats living in a group or in a cattery |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, cat shows and most boarding kennels |
ChlamydiosisDepending on lifestyle Chlamydia felis (contagious conjunctivitis) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Cats living in groups, catteries, show cats |
Rabies vaccination is required for travel within the European Union and for cat shows. The ages shown are based on common protocols in France; your vet may adjust them.
Tips to help you stay on top of boosters
Keep the health record up to date
Each shot is recorded in the health record or European pet passport, along with the date of the next booster. This is the key document, so check it when you adopt your pet.
Stick to the schedule
A booster that’s a few weeks late can still be given, but after several months, a full primary vaccination course may need to be repeated.
Tailor vaccines to your pet’s lifestyle
Hunting, forest hikes, boarding, catteries, outdoor access: tell your vet about your pet’s lifestyle so they can recommend useful vaccines and avoid unnecessary ones.
Plan ahead for travel
The rabies vaccine is valid only 21 days after the shot. Plan to get it at least a month before traveling abroad, along with your pet’s ID and passport.
Frequently asked questions about dog and cat vaccines
The first shot is given at around 8 weeks, when maternal antibodies start to decline. A second shot follows at 12 weeks and, for core vaccines, a third at 16 weeks. An unvaccinated pet can start the schedule at any age.
No vaccines are required for dogs or cats living in France, except rabies vaccination for category 1 and 2 dogs. However, rabies vaccination is required for travel within the European Union, and boarding facilities, campsites, clubs, and shows usually require up-to-date vaccinations (core vaccines, rabies, and kennel cough).
The first booster is given one year after the initial vaccination. After that, leptospirosis, cat flu, feline leukemia, and kennel cough boosters are given annually; distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and feline panleukopenia boosters are given annually or every three years, depending on the vaccine and your vet; rabies boosters depend on the vaccine's validity period (1 to 3 years).
A delay of a few weeks usually isn't a problem: your vet will simply give the booster. After several months, immunity is no longer guaranteed, and you'll often need to restart the initial vaccination schedule (two shots one month apart). For rabies, a missed booster invalidates the passport for travel.
Expect to pay €50–€90 per shot, including the consultation, depending on the clinic and vaccines included. A full initial vaccination schedule therefore costs €120–€250, followed by annual boosters costing around €60–€90. Some pet insurance plans cover part of preventive care costs.
Yes, at least against feline panleukopenia and cat flu. The feline panleukopenia virus is extremely resilient and can be carried in on shoes; cat flu spreads easily during visits to the vet or a boarding facility. Feline leukemia and rabies vaccines are generally only needed for cats that go outdoors or travel.
The basic vaccination schedule is the same for all breeds of a given species. However, a breed's typical lifestyle can affect which optional vaccines are recommended: babesiosis and Lyme disease for hunting or hiking dogs, feline leukemia for outdoor cats, and kennel cough for dogs that go to boarding facilities. You'll find this advice in each breed's health listing.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
Want to learn more about your breed?
Health, common conditions, nutrition, prices, and breeders: explore our comprehensive breed listings.