Vaccinations for dogs, cats and rabbits: a plain UK guide
Short answer: vaccines protect against serious infectious illnesses that still circulate in the UK. Puppies and kittens usually begin a course at around eight or nine weeks, with a second injection a few weeks later. Rabbits can be vaccinated against myxomatosis and both types of rabbit haemorrhagic disease. Boosters keep protection going, and your vet will set a schedule that suits your pet’s age and lifestyle.
Vaccination is one of the most effective things you can do for a pet’s long-term health, but the details can feel confusing: which vaccines, how often, and whether an indoor pet needs them at all. This guide sets out the basics as UK vets generally present them. Your own vet will tailor the plan, because the right schedule depends on the animal, the vaccine used and where your pet goes.
How a vaccination plan works
A young animal’s first visit usually includes a full health check, then the first injection of a primary course. The second follows a few weeks later, and protection builds over the following days. After that, boosters keep it topped up. Not every component is needed every year, so your vet may alternate what is given. Boarding kennels, catteries, groomers and day care usually ask to see an up-to-date vaccination record, so keep the card somewhere safe.
Dogs
The core vaccines for dogs in the UK cover canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and parvovirus, all of which can be very serious, especially in puppies. Most vets also include leptospirosis, a bacterial illness spread through the urine of rats and other animals and through contaminated water, which can also affect people. Kennel cough protection, often given as drops into the nose, is commonly advised before boarding, day care or training classes. Rabies vaccination is only needed if you plan to take your dog abroad, and your vet will explain the current travel rules.
Until the vet confirms the course has taken effect, carry your puppy out and about in your arms, and avoid public ground where unvaccinated dogs may have been. A pocketful of small rewards in one of our dog treat pouches turns each vet visit into a pleasant experience, and a secure set-up from our dog car travel range makes the journey safer.
Cats
For cats, the core vaccines protect against feline infectious enteritis and the viruses that cause cat flu. Cats that go outdoors are usually also vaccinated against feline leukaemia virus. Indoor cats still benefit from core protection, because some of these viruses can be carried into the home on shoes and clothing, and any cat may need a cattery stay one day. A sturdy carrier from our cat carriers range, ideally one that opens from the top, lets the vet examine a nervous cat without tipping it out.
Rabbits
Rabbits in the UK face two serious viral threats. Myxomatosis is spread by fleas, mites and biting insects such as mosquitoes, as well as by contact with wild rabbits. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease has two main strains, RHD1 and RHD2. RHD2 in particular can be carried on shoes, hay, insects and birds, so house rabbits are at risk too. A combined vaccine covering myxomatosis and both RHD strains is available in the UK and is usually given once a year; depending on the product, your vet may suggest an additional injection. Guinea pigs do not need routine vaccines. Our small animal carriers make the yearly trip easier.
After the injection
It is common for a pet to be a little quiet or slightly sore at the injection site for a day or so. Contact your vet if a swelling persists for more than a few days, or straight away if your pet vomits repeatedly, collapses, has facial swelling or struggles to breathe. If a booster is missed, ask your vet whether the course needs to be restarted rather than simply resuming.
A carrier that lives in the sitting room all year, lined with an old jumper, stops being a warning sign and becomes just another resting spot, which makes the yearly visit far calmer for cats and small pets.
When to call the vet
Ring your vet to plan a schedule as soon as a new pet arrives. Call promptly if an unvaccinated puppy has vomiting or diarrhoea, if a kitten sneezes with sore eyes and stops eating, or if a rabbit develops swollen eyelids or lumps around the face. These can be signs of the illnesses vaccines protect against.
Quick checklist
- Book a first health check and vaccination plan within days of bringing a pet home.
- Keep the vaccination card safe and note the next booster date.
- Ask about leptospirosis and kennel cough for dogs, and feline leukaemia for outdoor cats.
- Vaccinate rabbits against myxomatosis and both strains of RHD.
- Get carriers out at home well before the appointment.
- Ask before restarting if a booster has lapsed.
Frequently asked questions
When can my puppy go for walks on public ground?
Your vet will tell you, because the timing depends on the vaccine used and your puppy’s age at the second injection. In the meantime, take your puppy out in your arms so it gets used to traffic, people and noises, and arrange play dates at home with friends’ fully vaccinated dogs.
Does an indoor cat need vaccinating?
Most vets advise core vaccines for indoor cats too. Some of the viruses involved can travel into the house on shoes and clothes, and an indoor cat may still need a cattery or a vet stay at some point.
How often do rabbits need vaccinating?
Usually once a year with a combined vaccine that covers myxomatosis and both strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease. Depending on the product, your vet may advise an extra injection, so follow the schedule they set.
What happens if I miss a booster?
Do not simply wait for the next one. Contact your vet, who will check how long it has been and decide whether a single booster is enough or whether part of the primary course needs to be repeated.
Where to go next
New to pet ownership? Read about settling a new puppy or welcoming a kitten to see where vaccinations fit among everything else. Explore the dog, cat and rabbit and guinea pig departments, or start from shop by pet.
