Does my pet really need every vaccine every year?

Core vs non-core

Core vaccines protect against diseases with high severity, high transmissibility, or zoonotic risk, every pet gets them on a schedule. Non-core vaccines (Lyme, leptospirosis, Bordetella, FeLV in adult indoor cats) are recommended based on the individual pet's lifestyle and exposure risk.

• Canine core: DAPP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza) + rabies.
• Feline core: FVRCP (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) + rabies; FeLV is core for kittens but lifestyle-dependent for adults.
• Boosters: after the puppy/kitten series and one-year follow-up, most core vaccines move to every 3 years per AAHA/AAFP/WSAVA.
• Rabies: schedule depends on the specific vaccine product and local law, usually 1 or 3 years.

Can I use titer tests instead of boosters?

For DAPP and FVRCP, yes, a positive antibody titer demonstrates protective immunity and most veterinary boards accept it in place of a booster (rabies is the exception; titers are not legally accepted in lieu of the rabies vaccine in most jurisdictions). Titers cost more than a booster, but for older pets or those with prior vaccine reactions they are a documented evidence-based option.