pet health & safety guide 101!

our pets are our whole world and, needless to say, our goal is to protect their health and give them the best care at all costs. one of the foremost and most important ways to do that is by ensuring that puppy vaccinations or dog vaccination schedules are in place for your furball. when you get home a new puppy home or a shelter dog, making sure that they are protected against disease and infection is the very first step in their healthcare journey.

taking care of your new pet is akin to taking care of a human baby – and so, as a parent, you must follow the best practices for their healthy growth. in india, as in other countries, there are certain guidelines and protocol measures people must know of if they are planning to become or are already pet parents. 

read on to know the essentials about scheduling puppy vaccinations and kitten vaccinations so that your furbaby grows up hale and hearty. happy woofs and purrs all the way!

puppy vaccination schedule

with a puppy first vaccinations should be administered between 6-8 weeks of age, which is also the time that parents generally get their new pet home. puppy vaccinations continue at regular monthly intervals for about 4 months, with only some continuing annually. 

when the puppy is between 6 and 9 weeks old, the DHPP vaccine is the most important one they should receive. a 5-in-1 vaccine for dogs, DHPP protects your pet against some common diseases prevalent in the canine community. they are listed as follows: 

• D - distemper 
• H - hepatitis (CAV-1) and adenovirus (CAV-2) 
• P - parainfluenza 
• P - parvovirus    

DHPP is regarded as a core vaccine for dogs and is absolutely essential to be administered to your new puppy, to strengthen their immune system. there may be side effects with the DHPP, like most vaccines, but these are mild and don’t last long (slight fever, pain, loss of appetite).

6-9 weeks is also a good time to get your puppy vaccinated against bordetella. though the bordetella vaccine is a non-core vaccine, meaning it is optional, it protects your pooch against a very infectious respiratory disease called kennel cough.   

every round during the puppy vaccination schedule includes DHPP boosters. between 11 and 13 weeks, the anti rabies vaccine for dogs and a leptospirosis vaccine should also be administered, with booster doses to follow. 

when your puppy reaches 17 weeks of age, their initial vaccinations should be complete! DHPP, rabies and leptospirosis vaccines must continue annually. 

in india, the nobivac puppy DP (distemper + parvovirus) is the vaccine most commonly administered to pups during their early weeks. the 7-in-1 puppy vaccine (for distemper, hepatitis, corona viral enteritis, parainfluenza, parvovirus and leptospirosis) is also recommended. 

take a look at this puppy vaccination chart to get an understanding — and do save the image for later!

kitten vaccination schedule 

cat vaccinations are as important as dog vaccinations and pet parents must be up to date with their little feline’s healthcare essentials. as in puppies, vaccinations in kittens begin at 6 weeks and continue till the kitten is about 16 weeks old.

FVRCP is a core vaccine that protects your kitty against three threatening viruses: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. it should be administered when the kitten is between 6 and 8 weeks of age, followed by about three rounds of boosters. this combination dose is also called the feline distemper vaccine.  

FeLV should be given next, between 11 and 14 weeks of age. considered a core vaccine for kittens, it will shield your feline against feline leukemia virus, which is a highly infectious disease. FeLV doses continue to be administered recurrently and continue annually after the initial rounds of vaccinations are done. 

vaccinating your kitten for rabies is also important and should be done annually or as otherwise required.

other guidelines for keeping pets in india

• while common public spaces are generally mandated to be free-for-use for pets, as a pet parent, you will be considered responsible for keeping your pet on their best behavior so they co-exist harmoniously with humans and other pets. 
• keep yourself updated about pet cruelty laws in india. for instance, inflicting violence upon dogs is an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and banning pets from housing societies for the sole reason that they bark a lot is also illegal. 
• registering a vaccinated pet is mandatory in india! so ensure you register your pet with the local civic bodies as per your city/state rules. registrations with the kennel club of india (KCI) are also necessary. though the law mandates it, many pet parents forgo pet registrations. but non-compliance in this case carries a penalty — and isn’t it better to fulfill registrations than pay a higher penalty cost?

finally, as a pet parent, ensuring the best life for your furball is a must! when bringing home a new pet, there are certain things you need to keep in mind. prepare a separate corner for your new furbaby, complete with soft bedding and toys, where they will learn to be most comfortable. keep essentials like grooming tools, food/water bowls, collars ready in advance. and don’t forget to pet-proof your home! 

with all that taken care of, the only thing left is to ensure the perfect nutrition for your pet! this is as important as keeping your floof up to date on their vaccinations. after all, food is the foundation of not just a pet’s health, but also the relationship they share with their parent!   

at pawfectly made, we ensure each pet gets exactly the right amount of nutrients by customizing our recipes per their individual needs. from fresh meals for dogs & cats to food for puppies, our menu is tailor-made to give your pet the very best of health, plus a happier, longer life. go on, give us a try. your pet will love us, we promise! ❤️

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