Vaccinations keep your furry friend safe from contagious diseases that can be harmful or even deadly. They help your pet build a strong immune system, so they can fight off infections and live longer.
Because vaccinations are so important for your pet’s health, you have to make sure they get all the shots they need. This means going to the vet shortly after adoption to set up a vaccination schedule. Here’s what to expect.
Vaccination Schedules for Dogs and Cats
Some vaccinations are needed every year, while others are only needed once. Some are needed at certain ages. So how can you keep it all straight? Here’s a chart that should help!
| Vaccination | Dogs or Cats? | Age to Start | Frequency of Booster |
| Rabies | Both | 12 – 16 weeks | Once a year (based on Arizona law), some are good for 3 years |
| Distemper | Both, although they are different types of distemper | 6 – 8 weeks | 3 – 4 weeks until 16 weeks; then every 1 – 3 years after |
| Hepatitis | Dogs | 6 – 8 weeks | 3 – 4 weeks until 16 weeks; then
once a year |
| Parvovirus | Dogs | 6 – 8 weeks | 2 – 4 weeks until 16 weeks; then every 3 years |
| Parainfluenza | Dogs | 6 – 8 weeks | 2 – 4 weeks until 20 weeks; then once a year |
| Leptospirosis | Dogs | 9 – 12 weeks | Second booster after 2 – 4 weeks; then once a year |
| Feline Calicivirus | Cats | 6 – 8 weeks | 3 – 4 weeks until 16 – 20 weeks;
a booster 1 year later; then every 3 years |
| Rhinotracheitis | Cats | 6 – 8 weeks | 3 – 4 weeks until 16 – 20 weeks;
a booster 1 year later; then every 3 years |
| Feline Leukemia | Cats | 12 weeks | 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks; a booster 1 year later; then every 2 years |
How We Help You Keep Your Pet on Schedule
Keeping up with vaccinations can feel a little complicated. Here’s what we do at East Valley Animal Hospital to make it easier to manage.
We schedule out all kitten and puppy vaccinations in advance.
When you bring that cute, fuzzy new family member in for their first vet visit, we’ll make sure to schedule all their upcoming appointments.
Usually, your new pet will need two or three rounds of vaccinations. Each shot contains tiny doses of multiple vaccines. “Booster shots” are administered at intervals to build up your pet’s immune system. They usually get their first shots at 6 – 8 weeks old, and the second round at 9 – 16 weeks.
We set reminders for the appointments.
Not sure about you, but if we don’t write it down, it’s like it never happened. That is why our next tip is to mark your calendar and set a reminder. For some this can look like penciling in the appointments on a physical calendar. For others, it’s adding the appointment into the calendar on their phone, or asking a smart device to set an alert.
We offer reminder calls or messages.
Reminder calls and messages are not just for upcoming appointments (although those are VERY helpful). For example, if your pet is due for their booster shots, we can send a message to remind you.
Preventive Pet Care in Gilbert, Arizona
Keeping your pet healthy is easy when they have expert veterinary care. Here at East Valley Animal Hospital, we offer all the vaccinations your pet needs to live a long and happy life. We’ll help you keep up with your pet’s vaccination schedule, answer all of your questions about pet vaccinations, and explain how they can save your pet’s life. We can also advise you on other types of preventive care like diet and exercise, dental care, or heartworm prevention.
Contact us today to make an appointment, and we’ll help you keep your pet’s health on track.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (1/26/2026). Photo by Mina Rad on Unsplash,