Cristina Lee • 2025-07-15 • 5 min read
Essential Vaccinations for Pets: What You Need to Know
A straightforward guide to why vaccinations matter and how they fit into prevention.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
Vaccinations help protect pets from serious and sometimes fatal infectious disease. They are one of the clearest ways pet parents can reduce preventable risk over a lifetime.
Why vaccines matter
Vaccines protect individual pets, reduce disease spread across the wider pet population, and help families stay aligned with common local health requirements.
Protection from major disease
Core vaccines are designed to lower the chance of severe illness from dangerous infections that can spread quickly and become life-threatening.
Schedules still matter
Vaccination is not one-and-done. Puppies, kittens, and adult pets follow different schedules, and maintaining immunity requires good follow-through.
Frequently asked questions
Which vaccines does my puppy or kitten need?
Puppies typically receive a DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus) series starting at 6-8 weeks, with boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks, plus rabies at 12-16 weeks. Kittens typically receive FVRCP starting at 6-8 weeks with the same booster cadence, plus FeLV if recommended, and rabies at 12-16 weeks. Your veterinarian will tailor the exact schedule based on local disease risk.
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes — at minimum, FVRCP and rabies. Indoor cats still encounter risk from family-member exposure, accidental escape, and visiting animals. Most states legally require rabies vaccination for cats regardless of indoor status. Talk to your vet about whether FeLV is appropriate for your specific household.
Are titer tests a substitute for booster vaccines?
Sometimes. Titer testing can demonstrate continued immunity to certain core diseases (parvovirus, distemper) and can help guide whether a booster is needed. Titers are not a substitute for rabies vaccination, which is legally required by most jurisdictions on a fixed schedule regardless of titer.
Can a telehealth vet update my pet's vaccine record?
Telehealth can review vaccination history, recommend a schedule, and prepare a treatment plan, but the vaccine itself must be administered in person by a licensed vet or technician. Many families use telehealth as the planning layer and in-person clinic visits for the actual vaccination.