Vaccinations keep your pets safe from life-threatening diseases. They are important because they prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis from pets to humans. Pet vaccinations also play a vital role in checking infectious diseases such as Rabies, Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Bordetella, Feline Leukaemia, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and others among the pet population.
All pets are expected to be vaccinated against common feline and canine diseases. Pet vaccines are categorised into core and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are mandatory and help protect your pet against life-threatening diseases such as rabies, parvovirus, etc. Non-core vaccines are for diseases that are not life-threatening and are recommended by your vet based on where you live.
Core vaccines for dogs
Core vaccines for dogs and puppies in Australia are:
Non-core vaccines for dogs
Non-core vaccines are recommended by your vet, taking into consideration where you live and your pet’s lifestyle. Though these vaccinations are not mandatory, it is best to vaccinate your pet against these diseases to protect your pet and give them a better quality of life. Non-core vaccines in Australia are Parainfluenza, Bordatella, Coronavirus, Rabies and Leptospirosis. Rabies is a core vaccine all over the world. However, since rabies is not present in Australia, rabies vaccination is only administered to dogs travelling overseas from Australia to countries where rabies is present.
Here’s a typical puppy vaccination schedule:
| Age | Vaccines |
| 6 weeks | C3 - Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus |
| 8 weeks | C5 - Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Bordatella |
| 10 weeks | C4- Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza |
| Adult dogs | Yearly C5 - Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Bordatella |
Core vaccines for cats
Core vaccines are mandatory for all kittens and cats. The core vaccines administered to cats in Australia are:
Non-core vaccines for cats
Non-core vaccines such as Chlamydia, Feline Leukaemia and Feline AIDS are given only to cats that have outdoor exposure.
A typical kitten vaccination schedule would look like this:
| Age | Vaccine |
| Indoor cats – 8 weeks | F3 - Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia |
| Indoor cats – 12 weeks | F3 - Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia |
| Indoor + Outdoor cats – 8 weeks | F5 + FIV - Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia, Feline Leukaemia, Feline AIDS |
| Indoor + Outdoor cats – 10 weeks | FIV - Feline AIDS |
| Indoor + Outdoor cats – 12 weeks | F5 + FIV - Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia, Feline Leukaemia, Feline AIDS |
| Adult cats yearly (indoor) | F3 - Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia |
| Adult cats yearly (outdoor) | F5 + FIV - Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia, Feline Leukaemia, Feline AIDS |
Why are vaccinations necessary before international travel?
Pet vaccines don’t just protect your pet; they are instrumental in protecting the community at large from dangerous and avoidable diseases. Most countries only allow vaccinated pets to protect the local pet population from exotic and introduced diseases. It is essential to vaccinate your pet when they are young and keep the vaccinations current as they grow older.
If you plan to travel with your pet and are unsure of the vaccinations your pet needs to travel, reach out to Petraveller for vaccination advice and a free pet travel quote.