Pet vaccinations protect your furry friend from serious disease—learn what vaccines your pet needs and how often to schedule them.

At Plateau Animal Hospital in Cumberland County and surrounding areas, we believe pet vaccinations are one of the simplest and most effective ways to safeguard your pet’s health. Whether you’ve got a playful pup or a cuddly kitten, our veterinarians are here to guide you through vaccine schedules and answer all your questions. 

In this blog, we’ll walk through the basics of core vaccines for dogs, explain a standard kitten vaccination schedule, and help you understand how often pets need boosters. With so many vaccine options out there, knowing what your pet needs—and when—is crucial.

Why Are Pet Vaccinations So Important?

Vaccinations help your pet build immunity against harmful diseases. Some of these, like rabies, are life-threatening—and even transmissible to humans.

Benefits of pet vaccinations include:

• Preventing deadly illnesses like parvovirus, distemper, and feline leukemia
• Avoiding costly emergency treatment for preventable diseases
• Meeting legal requirements (rabies vaccinations are mandated in most areas)
• Protecting community health by minimizing the spread of disease

Fun fact: Thanks to vaccines, diseases like canine distemper—which once had high fatality rates—are now rare in vaccinated populations.

Core Vaccines for Dogs: What Your Pup Really Needs

Core vaccines for dogs are recommended for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle or location. These protect against highly contagious and dangerous diseases.

Core canine vaccines include:

• Rabies – legally required; protects pets and people
• DHPP – distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus
• Leptospirosis – often included with DHPP, protects against a serious bacterial infection

Non-core vaccines (given based on lifestyle):

• Bordetella (kennel cough) – for dogs that are boarded or socialize often
• Canine influenza – especially in areas with outbreaks or exposure risk
• Lyme disease – for dogs in tick-prone regions like Tennessee

Your pup’s lifestyle helps us determine which vaccines are best. For example, a dog who hikes the trails of Tansy may benefit from tick protection, while a homebody in Crossville may need a simpler plan.  The ASPCA has some helpful information on vaccines here.

Kitten Vaccination Schedule: Starting Off Right

A proper kitten vaccination schedule helps your feline friend grow strong and resilient. We typically start vaccinations around 6–8 weeks of age.

Kitten vaccine timeline:

• 6–8 weeks: FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia)
• 10–12 weeks: Second FVRCP + FeLV (feline leukemia for at-risk kittens)
• 14–16 weeks: Rabies + third FVRCP
• One year: Boosters for core vaccines
• Every 1–3 years thereafter: Depending on lifestyle and local regulations

Fluffy may act tough, but she’s vulnerable to viruses, especially in multi-cat homes. 

First time pet owner? Check out our prior blog on your pet’s first vet visit here.

How Often Do Pets Need Boosters?

Understanding how often pets need boosters is key to maintaining immunity. Some vaccines require annual boosters; others may last longer.

General booster guidelines:

• Rabies: Every 1 to 3 years, depending on the product and state law
• DHPP and FVRCP: Annually, then every 3 years
• Bordetella and leptospirosis: Annually or more often based on risk
• FeLV: Annually for at-risk cats

Our team customizes vaccine schedules to your pet’s age, species, health, and exposure risk. You can learn more about pet vaccinations from the American Veterinary Medical Association here.

Are Vaccines Safe for Pets?

Yes! Most pets tolerate vaccines very well. Side effects are usually mild—think low energy or a slight fever. Rarely, pets may have an allergic reaction, but we monitor closely and are always ready to help if needed.

Let us know if your pet has had a reaction before, so we can adjust their schedule or use different formulations.

Can Indoor Pets Skip Vaccines?

Even indoor-only pets need protection. For example:

• Cats can slip outside or be exposed through open windows or visitors’ clothing
• Dogs still go on walks or to the groomer, where they may encounter pathogens
• Rabies vaccinations are required by law, regardless of lifestyle

Vaccines offer peace of mind no matter where your pet spends their time. (You can also get some helpful information on preventative pet care at our blog here.) 

FAQ

Do puppies and kittens get too many shots?

Vaccines are spaced out to avoid overwhelming the immune system. The schedule is safe and designed to build gradual, lasting protection.

Can I vaccinate my pet at home?

It’s strongly discouraged. Vaccines should be given by a veterinarian who can ensure proper handling, dosing, and record keeping.

What if I miss a booster?

Give us a call—we’ll help get your pet back on track.

How do I know which vaccines my pet needs?

We’ll assess your pet’s lifestyle, age, breed, and environment to build a customized vaccine plan.

Is it okay to skip non-core vaccines?

It depends. Some non-core vaccines are very important based on exposure risks. We’ll help you decide what’s appropriate.

Visit Our Cumberland County Veterinary Clinic for Pet Vaccinations

At Plateau Animal Hospital in Cumberland County, we make pet vaccinations simple and stress-free. Whether you’re scheduling puppy shots or maintaining adult boosters, our vets, veterinarians, and team are here to support families in Crossville, Fairfield Glade, and Lake Tansi, TN.

Looking for a veterinary clinic in Cumberland County that makes vaccine planning easy? You can search for a vet near me, or call our trusted pet clinic today.

Visit our Service Page to learn more about the services we offer and the type of pets we see.

This blog is for educational use only. Always consult your veterinarian for medical advice and appropriate vaccine schedules.