Dog & Cat Vaccinations in Washington: A Straightforward Schedule

There are two kinds of pet vaccines: core (everyone needs them) and non-core (depends on lifestyle). Washington state law requires rabies for dogs and cats. Everything else is a risk-benefit call — but some of those "optional" ones are way more important than they sound.

Here's the whole picture, minus the scare tactics.

For Dogs

Core vaccines (everyone)

Vaccine	What it prevents	Schedule
Rabies (required by WA law)	Rabies — always fatal, zoonotic	1 shot at 4 mo, booster at 1 yr, then every 3 yrs
DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza)	4 serious diseases in one shot	Puppy series 6–16 wks, booster at 1 yr, then every 3 yrs

Non-core (situational but often recommended)

Vaccine	Recommended for	Schedule
Leptospirosis	Any dog that drinks from puddles, hikes, or meets wildlife (= basically all PNW dogs)	Annual
Bordetella (kennel cough)	Dogs that visit groomers, boarding, daycare, dog parks	Every 6–12 mo
Canine influenza	Same social dogs as Bordetella	Annual
Lyme disease	Dogs in tick-heavy areas (east of the Cascades)	Annual

For Cats

Core vaccines (everyone)

Vaccine	What it prevents	Schedule
Rabies (required by WA law)	Rabies	1 shot at 3–4 mo, annual or 3-yr depending on type
FVRCP (rhinotracheitis, calici, panleukopenia)	3 major feline viruses	Kitten series, booster at 1 yr, then every 3 yrs

Non-core

Vaccine	Recommended for	Schedule
FeLV (feline leukemia)	Cats that go outside or live with FeLV-positive cats	Annual if exposed

What Each Disease Actually Does

Parvo (dogs)

Brutally fast bloody diarrhea, dehydration, often fatal in puppies. Highly contagious in soil and feces for months. The one disease that absolutely convinces the unconvinced every time.

Distemper (dogs)

Affects respiratory, GI, and nervous systems. Survivors often have permanent neurological damage. Rare now because of vaccines — drop the vaccines and it comes back.

Rabies (dogs & cats)

Invariably fatal once symptoms appear. Transmissible to humans. This is why it's required by law — it's a public health issue, not just a pet one.

Panleukopenia (cats)

The cat version of parvo. Kittens die from it within days if unvaccinated. Survives in the environment for over a year.

The "My Pet Is Indoor Only" Question

Common question, honest answer: indoor-only pets are lower risk but not zero. Here's why we still recommend core vaccines:

• Rabies is required by law regardless of indoor/outdoor status.
• Panleukopenia and parvo survive on shoes, clothing, and soil — you track them in.
• Boarding, grooming, emergencies, and moves all require up-to-date vaccines.
• An indoor cat that escapes once is a major exposure event.

Cost of Vaccines vs. Cost of Disease

Item	Typical Cost
Full puppy vaccine series	$150–$250
Full kitten vaccine series	$120–$200
Annual booster visit (adult)	$80–$150
Treating parvo	$1,500–$5,000 (if survivable)
Treating lepto	$2,000–$4,000 + kidney damage

FAQ

Does my senior dog still need boosters?

Usually yes, but we talk about it. At 12+ we sometimes titer-test instead (a blood test that shows existing immunity) rather than automatically re-vaccinating.

Can I bring a vaccine record from another vet?

Absolutely. Bring whatever records you have and we'll plug in where needed. Never duplicate unnecessary shots.

What if my pet is overdue?

Walk in. Most can catch up with one visit. Puppy/kitten series that were never started may need a partial restart.

Vaccines are one of the boring-but-massive wins in pet health. They're cheap, they're fast, and they prevent diseases that can kill your pet in 48 hours. Stay current and you almost never have to think about them.