The vaccination schedule for dogs and cats in India
Which vaccines a puppy or kitten needs, roughly when they fall due, what is legally required, and why boarding and day care will ask for records before they accept your pet.
By PetApex EditorialUpdated 5 min read
The short version
Puppies start their core vaccines at six to eight weeks and finish around sixteen weeks, with a rabies vaccine usually at twelve to sixteen weeks. Adult dogs get a booster at one year and then every one to three years depending on the vaccine. Cats follow a similar early pattern with a different combination product.
Two points worth internalising before the chart below. First, a puppy is not considered protected until one to two weeks after the final dose in the series — the maternal antibodies they got from their mother's milk actively blunt vaccines given too early, which is why the series is repeated rather than given once. Second, this guide describes what a veterinarian does. It is not a prescription for your particular animal.
Important
Dosages, brands and intervals are decisions for a licensed veterinarian who has examined your pet. This page explains the shape and reasoning of a schedule so you can have a better conversation, not so you can skip having it.
Dogs: what the core series covers
| What | Protects against | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| DHPP / DHLPP | Distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), parvovirus, parainfluenza — and leptospirosis when the L is included | 6–8 weeks, then every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks |
| Rabies | Rabies — the only vaccine required by law in India | 12–16 weeks, then annually |
| Kennel cough | Bordetella and parainfluenza | Before boarding or day care, if your pet will be in group settings |
| Leptospirosis | A bacterial infection spread through water and rodent urine | Often included in the combination; annually where endemic |
Parvovirus is the reason the schedule matters in this country. It is common, it survives in the environment for months, it is severe in puppies, and the vaccine works well. A puppy that has not finished its series should not be walked in public parks or introduced to unknown dogs, however impatient everyone is.
Cats: the equivalent series
- FVRCP — feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. Start at six to eight weeks and repeat every three to four weeks until sixteen weeks.
- Rabies — usually at twelve to sixteen weeks, then as your veterinarian advises based on local rules and lifestyle.
- FeLV (feline leukaemia) — recommended for cats that go outdoors or live with an infected cat. Indoor-only cats may not need it, which is a decision your vet makes with you.
- Kittens follow the same principle as puppies: the series exists because maternal antibodies interfere, so a single early shot does not protect them.
The law, and why records get asked for
Rabies vaccination is a statutory requirement for dogs in India, and many municipal bodies and apartment associations enforce it or ask for proof. Beyond the legal point, it is the one vaccine where your pet's record protects other people as much as it protects your pet.
This is also why boarding, day care and group training ask for records. A facility that admits unvaccinated animals into a shared space is transferring risk onto every other animal in that space. If a provider waves the requirement for you, they waved it for everyone else too.
Worth knowing
Keep a photo of the vaccination card in your account and in your phone. You will be asked for it at drop-off, at the gate of a dog park, and by a trainer on the first day — usually at the moment you least want to go looking for it.
What a vaccination visit costs
On this platform, a core vaccination visit currently starts at ₹899 at a Bengaluru clinic, which includes the consultation alongside the vaccine. A general consultation is ₹699. Some clinics price the vaccine and the examination separately, so compare the total rather than the vaccine line.
Home-visit vaccination is worth the premium for anxious pets and litters, because the stress of a car ride and a waiting room full of other animals is exactly what you are trying to avoid. On PetApex both clinic and home-visit modes are listed on the same service, so you can see which providers offer which before booking.
Common questions
Is rabies vaccination legally required for dogs in India?
Yes. Rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs under Indian law, and municipal bodies as well as many residential associations require proof. Keep the certificate current and carry a copy — it is the document most commonly asked for at boarding facilities, training centres and pet-friendly buildings.
Can I walk my puppy before the vaccination series is complete?
Not in public places where unknown dogs have been. Your puppy is not protected until one to two weeks after the final dose. Carry them for short outings to socialise them with sounds, people and traffic, and use a private garden or a known-clean indoor space for exercise until the series is finished.
How often do adult dogs need boosters?
The first booster is normally at one year, after which intervals depend on the specific vaccine and your veterinarian's assessment — commonly one to three years for the viral core vaccines and annually for rabies and leptospirosis. A dog's age, health and exposure risk all change the answer, which is why a yearly check-up matters more than a fixed chart.
What happens if I miss a booster date?
Nothing catastrophically, but do not simply wait for the next one. Book a consultation and let the veterinarian decide whether a single dose restores protection or whether the series needs restarting. This is routine, not an emergency, but it does need an actual decision rather than an assumption.
Do indoor cats need vaccinations?
Yes, at least the core ones. Panleukopenia and the respiratory viruses can enter a home on shoes, clothing and hands, and travelling in a carrier or a stay at a boarding facility is enough exposure. Which non-core vaccines are worth it for an indoor-only cat is a conversation with your veterinarian.
Where to go next
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