Safe and Effective Phoenix, AZ, Pet Vaccinations
Protect your pet from preventable illness by following a routine schedule for pet vaccinations. Keep your pet’s vaccines up to date with help from our compassionate and experienced veterinary teams in the Phoenix area.
When Should I Get My Dog or Cat Vaccinated?
Your puppy or kitten should begin their vaccines at 6–8 weeks of age and continue every 3–4 weeks until they are about 16 weeks old.
Why this schedule?
Vaccines protect your pet as the maternal antibodies they were born with naturally decline, allowing them to maintain a strong immune system.
Some dog breeds—such as Pit Bull Terriers, Chihuahuas, Rottweilers, and others that are more susceptible to Parvo—may benefit from starting vaccines slightly earlier, around 5–6 weeks of age.
As your pet gets older, they will need booster vaccines around 1.5 years old, followed by core vaccine boosters every 3 years thereafter.
Non-core vaccines are optional but often recommended based on your pet’s lifestyle, travel, and exposure risks.
View our full vet-recommended vaccine schedule for dogs and cats below.
Schedule a pet vaccine appointment in the Phoenix area today.
Vaccines sold at feed stores or retail locations cannot be guaranteed. The manufacturer has no way to verify whether these products were transported or stored at the correct temperatures, which is essential for maintaining effectiveness. If a vaccine is stored improperly—even briefly—it may no longer work, leaving your pet unprotected from serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases
The Essential Role of a Vet in Pet Vaccinations
Vaccines should always be given by a licensed veterinarian—not an owner or breeder—for five reasons:
- Your pet needs a full physical exam to ensure they’re healthy enough to receive a vaccine (some pets with autoimmune diseases may not be good vaccine candidates).
- Pet vaccine manufacturers only guarantee their products when they are administered by licensed veterinarians (vaccines sold at feed stores or retail locations cannot be guaranteed).
- If a vaccine is stored improperly—even briefly—it may no longer work, leaving your pet unprotected.
- Veterinarians can help you determine which pet vaccines are necessary and which ones aren’t needed based on lifestyle, breed, and other factors.
- Getting a vaccine in a vet’s office provides a safety net if your pet experiences severe side effects (which is rare, but can happen).
Full Schedule for Dog Vaccinations
Here’s a breakdown of a dog’s vaccination schedule and how it keeps your puppy or dog healthy. When you choose 1st Pet Vet, you’ll gain access to experienced and knowledgeable vets who want the best for your pet.
Core Vaccinations for Phoenix Puppies
The core vaccines for dogs are Rabies and DHPP (4-in-1: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza).
8 weeks: DHPP
12 weeks: DHPP Booster
16 weeks: DHPP booster & Rabies vaccine
After the initial series of vaccines, both the DHPP and Rabies vaccines require a booster 1 year after the last vaccine. After the 1-year booster, dogs should receive additional boosters every 3 years.
Non-Core Vaccinations for Puppies
The common non-core vaccinations for dogs are Bordatella and Leptospirosis.
8 weeks: Non-core vaccines are not typically recommended at this age due to the pet’s sensitivity
12 weeks: Bordatella & Lepto
16 weeks: Bordatella booster & Lepto booster
After the initial series of vaccines, the Bordatella vaccine can be boostered every 6-12 months, depending on your boarding or grooming facility’s requirements. The Lepto vaccine requires yearly boosters starting one year from the last vaccine.
Core and Non-Core Vaccinations for Dogs Older than 16 Weeks
If you have recently adopted a new dog that is older than 16 weeks and are unsure of their vaccine history, it is recommended that they receive the DHPP, Rabies, Bordatella, and Lepto vaccines.
After that, they should receive an additional booster 3–4 weeks after all of the vaccines except Rabies.
From there, your dog can proceed with the next booster in a year for all four vaccines and then annual boosters (Bordatella & Lepto) or 3-year boosters (DHPP & Rabies) moving forward.
Cat Vaccination Schedule for Each Stage of Life
Following this schedule minimizes the risk of your cat contracting preventable diseases. Meet one of our experienced veterinarians to discuss where your pet is on the schedule.
Core Vaccinations for Kittens
The core vaccine for cats is the combination FVCRP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia).
8 weeks: FVRCP
12 weeks: FVRCP booster
16 weeks: FVRCP booster
After the initial vaccination series, FVRCP requires a booster one year from the last vaccine. After the booster, cats should receive additional boosters every 3 years.
Vaccination planning is a key part of your kitten’s first wellness exam at 1st Pet Vet.
Non-Core Vaccinations for Kittens
The non-core vaccines for cats are FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) and Rabies.
8 weeks: Non-core vaccines are typically not recommended at this age due to the pet’s sensitivity
12 weeks: FeLV
16 weeks: FeLV booster & Rabies
Schedule for Core and Non-Core Cat Vaccinations for Cats Older than 16 Weeks
If you’ve recently adopted a new cat that is older than 16 weeks and are unsure of their vaccine history, it’s recommended that they receive the FVRCP, FeLV, and Rabies vaccines.
They can then receive an additional booster 3–4 weeks after that for FVRCP and FeLV.
From there, your cat can proceed with the next booster in a year for all three vaccines, and boosters every year (FeLV & Rabies) or three years (FVCRP) moving forward.