health
Core vs non-core vaccines
Canine core (AAHA / WSAVA)
- Canine distemper virus (CDV)
- Canine adenovirus-2 (CAV-2; cross-protects against hepatitis-causing CAV-1)
- Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2)
- Rabies, legally required throughout most of the US and many other jurisdictions
AAHA's current canine vaccination guidelines also classify leptospirosis as core in the US given expanding risk distribution; check the latest revision for your region.
Feline core (AAHA-AAFP / WSAVA)
- Feline parvovirus / panleukopenia (FPV)
- Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1)
- Feline calicivirus (FCV)
- Rabies, legally required in many jurisdictions; included as core
- FeLV, core for all kittens under 1 year; non-core for adult cats based on lifestyle
Common non-core vaccines
- Dogs, Bordetella, canine parainfluenza, Borrelia (Lyme), canine influenza H3N2/H3N8, Crotalus (rattlesnake).
- Cats, FeLV (adults), FIV, Chlamydia felis, Bordetella.
Non-core does not mean unnecessary. A dog boarded weekly or hiking in Lyme-endemic regions has a different risk profile than a strictly indoor companion.
Why it matters
'Core' is the floor, not the ceiling. Some clinics default to every vaccine on the shelf; others under-vaccinate to avoid friction. A risk-based conversation with your vet about lifestyle, geography, boarding, and travel is the right calibration, not a one-size schedule.
Frequently asked questions
- How often do core vaccines need to be boosted?
- After the initial puppy/kitten series and a one-year booster, most modified-live core vaccines provide ≥3 years of protection. WSAVA and AAHA both recommend boosting no more frequently than every three years for those antigens (rabies follows local law).
- Are vaccine reactions common?
- Mild post-vaccination soreness or low-grade fever is common and self-limiting. Serious reactions (anaphylaxis, immune-mediated disease) are rare. Discuss prior reactions with your vet before boostering.