💉 Health · 4 min read
Vaccinations, without the confusion
What the shots are for and the typical schedule vets follow.
⚕️ This is general information for pet parents, not veterinary advice. Schedules and needs vary by pet — always confirm with your veterinarian.
Why vaccines matter
Vaccines teach your pet's immune system to recognise the diseases that are hardest to treat once caught — distemper, parvovirus and rabies among them. Prevention here is not just cheaper than treatment; for some of these there is no reliable treatment at all.
Rabies vaccination is also a legal requirement for pets in India, and proof of it is asked for by boarders, groomers and airlines.
A typical puppy schedule
Exact timing is your vet's call — litters, brands and local disease risk all shift it a little.
| Age | Typical shots |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | First DHPPi (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza) |
| 10–12 weeks | DHPPi booster + leptospirosis |
| 14–16 weeks | Final DHPPi booster + anti-rabies |
| Every year | Annual boosters as advised by your vet |
Kittens too
Cats follow a similar rhythm: the core FVRCP combination starts around 6–8 weeks with boosters every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks, plus anti-rabies — indoor cats included.
Good to know
- Keep the vaccination card safe — you'll need it for boarding, grooming and travel.
- A day of mild tiredness after shots is common; call your vet if it lasts longer.
- Adopted adults with unknown history usually just restart the series — ask your vet.
- Deworming is often scheduled alongside vaccines so nothing blunts the immune response.
Grooming is health care too
Clean coat, trimmed nails, checked ears — every Petgully session covers the basics.