Pet vaccination schedule 101: dogs and cats in Sri Lanka

Most pet owners know vaccinations matter. Far fewer know which ones are core — meaning every pet should have them — versus which are recommended based on lifestyle. This guide walks through both, with a practical schedule for puppies, kittens, and adult animals in Sri Lanka.

Important: this article is general information, not a substitute for your vet's advice. Specific vaccines, brands, and timings should always be confirmed with your treating veterinarian.

Core vaccines for dogs

"Core" means the disease is severe, common, or transmissible to humans (zoonotic) — so every dog should be protected.

• Rabies — legally required and zoonotic. Start at 12 weeks, booster annually (or per your vet's protocol).
• Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza (DHPP / "5-in-1") — a combined vaccine. Series of 3 doses for puppies, then annual or 3-yearly boosters depending on the product used.
• Leptospirosis — recommended as core in Sri Lanka given the climate, exposure to contaminated water, and zoonotic risk. Annual booster.

Puppy schedule (typical)

Core vaccines for cats

• Feline Panleukopenia, Herpesvirus, Calicivirus (FVRCP / "3-in-1") — series of 2–3 doses for kittens, then annual or 3-yearly boosters.
• Rabies — same logic as dogs. Required by law in many jurisdictions, zoonotic risk, annual booster.
• Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) — recommended for kittens and any cat with outdoor access.

Kitten schedule (typical)

Lifestyle-based vaccines (optional)

These aren't core, but your vet may recommend them based on where your pet goes and what they're exposed to:

• Bordetella ("kennel cough") — for dogs that visit boarding facilities, daycare, or grooming parlours frequently.
• Canine Influenza — newer, situational. Ask your vet if local cases warrant it.
• FIV (cats) — controversial; discuss with your vet for cats with high outdoor exposure.

Adult pets and missed vaccines

If you adopted an adult pet with no records, don't panic — your vet will start a "catch-up" protocol that's similar to the puppy/kitten series but compressed. Two doses of core vaccines 3–4 weeks apart is typical, then back to the annual schedule.

For pets who missed a yearly booster by 3–6 months, most vets will simply give a single booster. Longer gaps may mean restarting the series — your vet will advise.

Beyond vaccines: don't forget these

Vaccines protect against viruses and bacteria. Pets in Sri Lanka also need ongoing protection against parasites, which often does more day-to-day damage:

• Tick and flea prevention — monthly topical or oral treatment
• Heartworm prevention — monthly preventative; year-round protection is recommended given the climate
• Deworming — every 3 months for adults, more frequently for puppies and kittens

How to actually keep up — the part everyone gets wrong

The vaccination schedule isn't hard. Remembering it 11 months from now is. Most people miss boosters not because they're careless, but because life happens between visits.

What works:

• Choose a vet who sends reminders automatically — by SMS, email, or app
• Keep a single source of truth for records, not a folder of paper
• Schedule the next booster at the end of the current visit, not "later"

Apps like Dr Paw handle this automatically: every vaccination given at a connected clinic is logged in your pet's profile and the app sends a reminder before the next booster is due. No spreadsheets, no missed doses.