Puppy & Kitten Vaccine Schedule (AAHA / AAFP-Aligned)
Generate a puppy or kitten vaccine schedule based on the current AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines and AAFP Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel recommendations. Pick species + lifestyle, optionally add the birth date, and the tool produces a printable timetable.
Species
Lifestyle
Birth date (optional)
Adds calendar dates to each milestone.
Puppy vaccine schedule
6 weeks
DAPP #1
CoreFirst puppy distemper/parvo combo. Earliest if high parvo risk.
9 weeks
DAPP #2
Core12 weeks
Leptospirosis #1
CoreNow considered core in most North American regions per 2022 AAHA update.
12 weeks
DAPP #3
Core15 weeks
Leptospirosis #2
Core16 weeks (~4 months)
DAPP #4 (final puppy series)
CoreAAHA pushes the final dose to 16-20 weeks to close the maternal antibody gap.
16 weeks (~4 months)
Rabies
RabiesSingle dose at 12-16 weeks per local regulation.
1 year
Leptospirosis annual booster
Core1 year
DAPP booster (1 yr post-final)
Core1 year
Rabies booster (1 yr)
Rabies
Based on the current AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines and AAFP Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel recommendations. Local laws (especially rabies) and regional disease prevalence may modify this schedule. Always defer to your veterinarian's clinical judgement.
How to use this tool
Core canine vaccines
DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) starting at 6-8 weeks, every 3-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. The 16-week minimum closes the maternal antibody gap - some puppies don't seroconvert if vaccinated earlier. Rabies at 12-16 weeks per local regulation. Leptospirosis is now core in most North American regions per the 2022 AAHA update.
Core feline vaccines
FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) starting at 6-8 weeks, every 3-4 weeks until at least 16-20 weeks. Rabies at 12-16 weeks per local regulation. FeLV is now core for all kittens under 1 year, regardless of intended lifestyle (the immunity window matters even for indoor-only cats in case of escape).
Lifestyle-based non-core vaccines
Bordetella for dogs that board, attend daycare, group classes, or grooming. Lyme in endemic tick regions. Canine Influenza for high-density kennels and shows. FeLV booster as an adult for outdoor cats and multi-cat households.
Adult boosters
Most modern combo vaccines are licensed for 3-year intervals after the 1-year post-puppy booster. Leptospirosis and bordetella remain annual. Rabies is governed by local law - typically annual or 3-yearly depending on the product and jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
What are the core vaccines for puppies?
Per AAHA: DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) starting at 6-8 weeks, repeated every 3-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. Rabies given as a single dose at or after 12-16 weeks per local regulation. Leptospirosis is now recommended as core in most regions.
What are the core vaccines for kittens?
Per AAFP: FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) starting at 6-8 weeks, every 3-4 weeks until at least 16-20 weeks. Rabies at 12-16 weeks per local regulation. FeLV is core for all kittens under 1 year.
Why does the last puppy vaccine need to be at 16 weeks or older?
Maternal antibodies can block the vaccine in some puppies until ~16 weeks. If the final booster is given before then, a percentage of puppies fail to seroconvert. Recent AAHA updates push the final dose to 16-20 weeks to close that immunity gap.
When are non-core vaccines recommended?
Based on lifestyle and geography. Bordetella for boarding/daycare/group classes. Leptospirosis if outdoor exposure or in endemic areas (most of N. America now). Lyme in endemic tick regions. FeLV for outdoor cats or multi-cat households with unknown FeLV status. Influenza for high-traffic kennels.