Vaccine schedules depend on your dog’s age, lifestyle, and which vaccines they’ve already received. Puppies typically start their vaccine series around 6 to 8 weeks old, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until they’re around 16 weeks. Core vaccines, like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, are then boosted at one year and often every one to three years after that, depending on the specific vaccine and local regulations.
Adult dogs generally need core vaccine boosters on a one- to three-year schedule, while non-core vaccines, such as those for kennel cough or Lyme disease, may be recommended annually depending on your dog’s exposure risk. Dogs who visit boarding facilities, dog parks, or spend a lot of time outdoors in tick-prone areas often need more frequent non-core vaccines than dogs who stay closer to home.
Rather than guessing at a schedule, the most reliable approach is to have your veterinarian track your dog’s vaccine history and recommend boosters based on their specific risk factors and local requirements. At Vet For Pet Animal Hospital, we review your dog’s vaccine status at every wellness visit and let you know exactly what’s due. Call us at (860) 519-1519 - East Hartford or (860) 519-1519 - Hamden to schedule an appointment.