A new puppy or kitten brings a lot of joy. It also brings some tasks. One of the first tasks is a vaccine plan.
Vaccines teach the body to fight some serious diseases. Some of these diseases spread easily and can kill a young pet. A good vaccine plan in the first months gives your pet strong protection for life.
This guide gives a general schedule. Each pet is different. The vet makes the final plan for your pet after an examination.
Why young pets need more than one dose
A puppy or a kitten gets antibodies from the milk of its mother. These antibodies protect the young pet for some weeks. They also stop a vaccine from working well.
Nobody can see when these antibodies go away. The time is different for each pet, also in the same litter. For this reason, the vet gives a series of doses. One of the later doses will work when the antibodies from the mother go away.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) makes global vaccine guidelines for vets. The 2024 WSAVA guidelines say:
- Start the core vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks of age.
- Give a dose every 2 to 4 weeks.
- Give the last dose of the series at 16 weeks of age or older.
- Give one more dose at 26 weeks of age or later. Some vets give this dose at 12 months.
Core vaccines and other vaccines
Vets put vaccines into two groups.
Core vaccines protect against diseases that are serious and common. All dogs and all cats need the core vaccines.
Non-core vaccines protect against other diseases. Your pet needs them only if it has a risk. The risk depends on where your pet lives, where it goes and what it does.
Vaccines for puppies
The vaccine card of a dog often shows letters. Here is what they mean:
- D: distemper. This virus attacks the lungs, the gut and the brain.
- H: hepatitis (canine adenovirus). This virus attacks the liver.
- P: parvovirus. This virus causes severe vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. It kills many puppies.
- Pi: parainfluenza. This virus is one cause of kennel cough.
- L: leptospirosis. These bacteria attack the kidneys and the liver. People can also get this disease.
- Rabies: this virus attacks the brain. It always kills, in animals and in people.
At Pet Avenue, the dog vaccines are DHPPi+L and rabies.
Your dog goes to a boarding kennel, a daycare or a training class? Ask about the kennel cough vaccine. Many of these places ask for it.
Vaccines for kittens
The vaccine card of a cat often shows these words:
- Panleukopenia (feline enteritis or feline parvovirus). This virus causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea. It kills many kittens.
- Herpesvirus (rhinotracheitis). This virus causes cat flu: sneezing, eye problems and fever.
- Calicivirus. This virus also causes cat flu. It can also cause ulcers in the mouth.
- Rabies.
At Pet Avenue, the cat vaccines are PCH and rabies. PCH protects against panleukopenia, calicivirus and herpesvirus.
Your cat goes outside or lives with other cats? Ask the vet about the feline leukaemia (FeLV) vaccine.
A sample schedule
This table shows a usual plan for a healthy puppy or kitten. The vet can change the plan. The plan depends on the age of your pet, its health, its history and the vaccine brand.
| Age | Puppy | Kitten |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | First core vaccine, deworming | First core vaccine, deworming |
| 10 to 12 weeks | Second core vaccine | Second core vaccine |
| 12 weeks or older | Rabies vaccine | Rabies vaccine |
| 14 to 16 weeks or older | Last core vaccine of the series | Last core vaccine of the series |
| 26 weeks to 12 months | Booster | Booster |
| Every year after | Annual check and vaccines | Annual check and vaccines |
The vaccine label gives the minimum age for each vaccine. The vet follows the label.
Some core vaccines last longer than one year. The vet tells you which vaccines your pet needs each year. In Dubai, the rabies vaccine must be current for the yearly pet registration.
Rabies and the law in Dubai
Rabies is a very dangerous disease. In Dubai, your dog or cat must have a rabies vaccine. The vaccine must be current. You need a current rabies vaccine and a microchip to register your pet with Dubai Municipality.
You also need the rabies vaccine to travel with your pet. Some countries also ask for a rabies titre test. Read our guides to pet registration and microchips in Dubai and to moving abroad with your pet.
Is my indoor cat safe without vaccines?
No. An indoor cat still has a risk. People can bring some viruses into the home on shoes, hands and clothes. The panleukopenia virus can live for a long time in the environment.
An indoor cat can also escape through a door or a window. It can also need a stay in a cattery or a trip to a clinic. Also, the law in Dubai asks for a rabies vaccine for cats.
What to do on vaccine day
- Bring the vaccine card or pet passport from the breeder or the shelter.
- Tell the vet about any illness, vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Tell the vet about any reaction to an earlier vaccine.
- Bring a list of questions about food, training and toilet habits.
The vet examines your pet first. A sick pet can need to wait for its vaccine. A vaccine works best in a healthy body.
Our puppy and kitten package has a consultation, a microchip and a pet passport. It also has deworming, a rabies vaccine and two core vaccines.
Side effects: what is normal
Most pets have no problems after a vaccine. The PDSA says that some pets have mild signs for one or two days:
- a small, soft swelling where the needle went in
- tiredness and more sleep
- a lower appetite
- a slight fever
- mild vomiting or diarrhoea
These signs usually go away without treatment. Give your pet a quiet day. Call us if a sign gets worse, or if it continues for more than two days.
Side effects: when to call us
Serious allergic reactions are rare. They usually start soon after the vaccine. Go to the vet immediately if your pet:
- has a swollen face, swollen lips or swelling on another part of the body
- has difficulty when it breathes
- has cold ears and cold feet
- has a very fast, strong heartbeat
- has a seizure
- collapses or is very weak
Call us on the way. Then we can get ready for your pet. From 10pm to 10am, go to the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
A small swelling at the needle place can stay for two to six weeks. Tell the vet if the swelling gets bigger, or if it stays for a longer time.
When can my puppy go outside?
A puppy needs to meet people, sounds and places when it is young. This helps it to become a calm adult dog. But a puppy without the full vaccine series has a risk of parvovirus and other diseases.
Before the series is complete:
- Carry your puppy outside to see and hear new things.
- Let your puppy meet healthy dogs that have all their vaccines.
- Keep your puppy away from parks and areas where many unknown dogs go.
- Do not let your puppy touch the faeces of other dogs.
The vet tells you the date when your puppy can walk in public areas.
Missed a vaccine?
Life gets busy. If your pet missed a dose, do not worry. Book a visit. The vet looks at the records. If the gap is long, the vet can start the series again.
Book a vaccine visit
We are open every day from 10am to 10pm. Book online or send us a WhatsApp message. Read more about our vaccinations and preventive care.
Sources
- WSAVA, "2024 guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats": wsava.org
- PDSA, "Vaccination reactions in pets": pdsa.org.uk
- BSAVA, position statement on vaccination: bsava.com
- Dubai Municipality, "Nearly 183,700 veterinary services delivered in H1 2026" (registration, microchips and vaccines): dm.gov.ae
- Dubai Municipality, Veterinary Services Section: dm.gov.ae
This article is general information. It is not a diagnosis. For an emergency, call us.
This article is general information. It is not a diagnosis. For an emergency, call us. Call +971 54 746 6650 (Daily 10am–10pm). We are not a 24-hour emergency hospital. From 10pm to 10am, take your pet to the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
Want a vet to check your pet?
Book a visit at Pet Avenue Clinic in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC). Open every day, 10am – 10pm.