Dog vaccination schedule: from puppy to adult

Vaccinating your dog protects it from serious, sometimes fatal, diseases, and also protects other dogs and your family. Here is the usual schedule, explained simply. Your vet always adapts it to your dog.

What should a dog be vaccinated against?

The core vaccines, recommended for every dog by international veterinary guidelines (WSAVA):

Distemper: highly contagious, it affects the lungs, gut and nervous system.
Parvovirus: severe diarrhoea and vomiting, often fatal in puppies.
Canine hepatitis: a liver disease.

Often added, depending on lifestyle and region:

Leptospirosis: spread by rodent urine and standing water, it can also affect humans.
Kennel cough: useful if your dog goes to boarding or meets many dogs.
Rabies: rabies is present in Morocco. This vaccine is strongly recommended, and required to travel abroad.

Rabies is fatal for dogs and for humans. Vaccinating your dog also protects your family.

The puppy schedule

A puppy gets antibodies from its mother that fade over time. That’s why several injections are needed:

Age	Usual vaccines
8 weeks	1st injection: distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis (+ leptospirosis)
12 weeks	2nd injection (+ rabies from 12 weeks)
16 weeks	often a 3rd injection, depending on the vet
1 year	booster for all vaccines

During this period, avoid places with many unknown dogs until the vaccines are complete. You can still take your puppy to calm, clean places for socialisation.

Adult boosters

Leptospirosis: booster every year.
Rabies: depending on the vaccine, every year or every three years.
Distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis: depending on the vaccine, every one to three years.

The simplest: use the yearly check-up for a review and the boosters needed.

What if vaccines are overdue?

If a booster was missed long ago, your vet may restart part of the schedule. Don’t panic, but don’t wait either: call the clinic to book.

Before the vaccine

Your dog must be healthy on the day.
Mention any current treatment or a reaction to a previous vaccine.
Deworm your puppy before its vaccines, as advised by the vet.

After the vaccine

Slight tiredness or soreness at the injection site for 24 hours is normal. Call the vet if your dog’s face swells, it vomits, struggles to breathe or stays very lethargic.

Vaccines, rabies and daily life in Morocco

In Morocco, many dogs spend part of their life outdoors: garden, terrace, walks in the neighbourhood or on the beach. They meet stray dogs, cats, sometimes rodents. That’s exactly why vaccination matters so much.

Rabies is still present in the country and is transmitted by bites. A vaccinated dog is protected, and if it’s bitten by an unknown animal, the follow-up is much simpler. If your dog is bitten, clean the wound with soap and water and call your vet straight away.

Leptospirosis also needs attention after the rains, when puddles and standing water multiply. Don’t let your dog drink from puddles or canals.

Finally, always keep the health record up to date: boarding facilities and many pet sitters ask for it, as do the authorities if you travel. A complete record is a file ready when you need it, and less stress for you.

If you’ve just adopted an adult dog with no history, your vet can restart a complete schedule: it’s safe and quickly gets your dog protected.

FAQ

How much does a vaccine cost? The price includes the vaccine and the consultation. It varies by vaccine and clinic: ask beforehand.

My dog never goes out, does it need vaccines? Yes. Some diseases are carried on shoes or clothes, and rabies remains a risk in Morocco.

Can I travel with an unvaccinated dog? Abroad, the rabies vaccine and documents are required. Check well in advance with your vet and the authorities.

Never miss a booster

In DarPaws, add each vaccine with its booster date. The app shows what’s coming up on the home screen, for all your pets.

Vaccines, boosters, health: all in one place. Download DarPaws for free.

This article gives general information. It does not replace your vet’s advice.