| Vaccine | How often (after the first-year booster) |
|---|---|
| DAPP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, ± parainfluenza) | Every 3 years |
| Leptospirosis | Every year |
| Rabies | Every 1 or 3 years, by vaccine and local law |
| Bordetella (kennel cough) | Every year, if at risk |
| Canine influenza | Every year, if at risk |
| Lyme disease | Every year, if at risk |
Vaccine schedule
Dog Vaccine Schedule for Adults: Boosters and Catch-Up Shots
Updated October 2026 · By the Hushku editorial team · 3 sources
Short answer
After the puppy series and first-year booster, adult dogs need the distemper-parvo combination (DAPP) every 3 years, leptospirosis every year and rabies every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine and local law. Dogs with an unknown history, such as many rescues, usually get two doses of DAPP and leptospirosis 2–4 weeks apart.
Key facts
- DAPP every 3 years after the first-year booster.
- Leptospirosis every year: AAHA made it core for all dogs in 2024.
- Rabies every 1 or 3 years, by vaccine and local law.
- Unknown history: two DAPP and two lepto doses, 2–4 weeks apart.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If your pet seems unwell, or you're worried, call your vet.
Adult dog vaccine chart
Catch-up vaccines for dogs with unknown history
AAHA advises that when a dog's vaccines are overdue or unknown, vaccinating is usually the safer choice. For dogs over 16 weeks old:
- DAPP: two doses 2–4 weeks apart, a booster within a year, then every 3 years.
- Leptospirosis: two doses 2–4 weeks apart, then yearly.
- Rabies: one dose (as required by law), a booster a year later, then every 1 or 3 years.
Bring any paperwork from the shelter or previous owner: it may save repeat doses.
Does my dog need lifestyle vaccines?
Your vet will ask about your dog's life: kennels, daycare and grooming (Bordetella and influenza), hiking, woodland and areas with ticks (Lyme), and where you live and travel. These vaccines don't replace good prevention, such as year-round tick control.
Do older dogs still need vaccines?
Yes. Older dogs' immune systems can be less effective, and rabies remains a legal requirement. Some vets offer antibody (titer) testing for distemper and parvovirus to help decide whether a booster is needed; titers can't replace rabies vaccination where it's required by law. Use your dog's annual or six-monthly check-up to review which vaccines are still needed.
Other vaccine schedules
Free tools for this
Sources
- AAHA: 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines
- AAHA: Recommendations for core and noncore canine vaccines (2022)
- AVMA: Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (kennel cough)
We check guides against veterinary sources and update them when guidance changes. How we write and review.
Questions.
Does my dog really need a vaccine every year?
Not all of them. DAPP is usually every 3 years, but leptospirosis and lifestyle vaccines like Bordetella and Lyme are yearly.
Can indoor dogs skip vaccines?
No. Core vaccines protect against diseases that can be carried in on shoes and other animals, and rabies is a legal requirement in many places.
What are the side effects of dog vaccines?
Mild tiredness or soreness for a day is common. Call your vet for facial swelling, hives, vomiting or collapse.
