Complete Pet Vaccination Schedule for Dogs and Cats — What's Required by Law in California

Vaccinations are a critical component of responsible pet ownership, protecting pets from serious and potentially fatal diseases. They also help safeguard public health by preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases. Understanding the difference between core and non-core vaccines is essential for making informed decisions about your pet’s health care.

Core vaccines are those recommended for all pets due to the widespread risk of the diseases they prevent, while non-core vaccines are given based on a pet’s lifestyle, environment, and risk factors. In California, the law specifically mandates rabies vaccination for dogs under California Health and Safety Code Section 121690. Professional organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide guidelines and standards for pet vaccination protocols.

This article outlines California’s pet vaccination laws, detailed vaccination schedules for dogs and cats, and how Pine Animal Hospital in Long Beach, CA, supports pet owners in keeping their pets healthy and compliant with legal requirements.

California Vaccination Laws for Pets

Rabies Vaccine Requirements for Dogs Under California Law

California Health and Safety Code Section 121690 requires that all dogs aged four months or older be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination schedule is as follows:

First dose administered at 3 to 4 months of age
Booster given 12 months after the initial dose
Subsequent boosters administered every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine type

Proof of rabies vaccination is mandatory for dog licensing in every county throughout California.

Are Cats Required to Have Rabies Vaccines in California?

State law does not mandate rabies vaccination for cats; however, several counties have their own requirements. Los Angeles County, which includes Long Beach, and San Diego County require rabies vaccination for cats. The AVMA and CDC classify rabies as a core vaccine for cats due to the public health risk it poses.

Legal Consequences of Having an Unvaccinated Pet

Mandatory 10-day quarantine at the owner’s expense for any unvaccinated pet that bites a person
Public health reporting of bite incidents involving unvaccinated pets
Owner civil liability for damages resulting from unvaccinated pet bites
Possible euthanasia of the pet for rabies testing if exposure is suspected and the pet is unvaccinated

Core Vaccines for Dogs - Complete Schedule

Dog Vaccination Schedule Table

Vaccine	When to Start	Booster Schedule	Required by Law
Rabies	12-16 weeks	1 year then every 1-3 years	Yes (California Health & Safety Code Section 121690)
DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)	6-8 weeks	Every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then 1 year, then every 3 years	No (Strongly recommended by AVMA)
Bordetella (Kennel Cough)	8 weeks	Annually or every 6 months for high-exposure dogs	No (Required by most boarding kennels and groomers)
Leptospirosis	12 weeks	Annually	No (Risk-based recommended in California for outdoor dogs)

What Each Core Dog Vaccine Protects Against

Rabies: A fatal viral disease transmissible to humans, making vaccination critical for public health.

DHPP: Protects against Distemper (a highly fatal viral disease with no cure), Hepatitis/Adenovirus (causing liver disease), Parvovirus (a highly contagious virus that survives in soil for months to years and is often fatal in puppies), and Parainfluenza (a respiratory virus).

Bordetella: The primary cause of kennel cough, a contagious respiratory illness; vaccination is required by most California boarding facilities.

Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection spread by wildlife urine (including rats, raccoons, and opossums common in Southern California) that causes kidney and liver failure and is transmissible to humans.

Core Vaccines for Cats - Complete Schedule

Cat Vaccination Schedule Table

Vaccine	When to Start	Booster Schedule	Required by Law
Rabies	12 weeks	1 year then every 1-3 years	County-dependent; required in LA County including Long Beach
FVRCP (Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)	6-8 weeks	Every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then 1 year, then every 3 years	No (Strongly recommended by AVMA for all cats)
FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)	8-12 weeks	1 year after initial series, then based on ongoing risk	No (Recommended for outdoor cats and multi-cat households)

What Each Core Cat Vaccine Protects Against

Rabies: A fatal zoonotic disease legally required in LA County including Long Beach.

FVRCP: Covers Rhinotracheitis/Herpesvirus (the most common upper respiratory infection; cats may become lifelong carriers), Calicivirus (causes respiratory illness and oral ulcers; some strains are highly virulent), and Panleukopenia/Feline Distemper (a parvovirus with up to 90% fatality in unvaccinated kittens).

FeLV: Suppresses the immune system and is the leading cause of cancer death in cats; transmitted through grooming and shared bowls. The AVMA recommends vaccination for all kittens.

Puppy Vaccination Timeline Week-by-Week

Maternal antibodies can interfere with vaccine effectiveness, so a series of vaccinations is necessary to ensure full immunity.

6-8 weeks: First DHPP vaccine.
10-12 weeks: Second DHPP and Bordetella vaccines.
12-16 weeks: Third DHPP, Rabies vaccine (legally required in California), and first Leptospirosis dose if recommended.
14-16 weeks: Fourth DHPP dose if the series started at 6 weeks to ensure immunity past 16 weeks.
12-16 months: DHPP booster, Rabies booster (required 12 months after the first dose per California law), and Leptospirosis booster.
Every 1-3 years (adult schedule): Rabies per vaccine label, DHPP every 3 years, Bordetella annually or every 6 months, Leptospirosis annually.

Note: The CDC and AVMA recommend completing the full vaccination series before attending dog parks, boarding, or training classes.

Kitten Vaccination Timeline Week-by-Week

Similar to puppies, kittens require a series of vaccinations to overcome maternal antibody interference and develop immunity.

6-8 weeks: First FVRCP vaccine.
10-12 weeks: Second FVRCP and first FeLV dose per AVMA guidelines for all kittens.
12-16 weeks: Third FVRCP, second FeLV dose, and Rabies vaccine (required in LA County/Long Beach and strongly recommended statewide).
12-16 months: FVRCP booster, FeLV booster, and Rabies booster.
Every 1-3 years (adult schedule): FVRCP every 3 years for low-risk indoor cats, Rabies per vaccine label, FeLV annually for at-risk cats.

Note: The AVMA advises completing the full FVRCP series for all kittens regardless of indoor or outdoor status.

Non-Core Vaccines - Should Your Pet Get Them?

Non-core vaccines are administered based on a risk assessment during your pet’s wellness exam. Factors such as geographic location, lifestyle, and exposure risk guide these recommendations.

Non-Core Vaccines for Dogs

Lyme Disease: Recommended for dogs in tick-heavy regions; lower risk in lower LA County but relevant for dogs hiking in natural areas.
Canine Influenza (H3N2 and H3N8): Recommended for dogs that attend boarding, daycare, or travel frequently; outbreaks have been documented in California.
Rattlesnake Vaccine: Available in California; reduces severity of rattlesnake bites but does not replace emergency treatment.

Non-Core Vaccines for Cats

FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus): No longer commercially distributed in the US; indoor lifestyle is the current prevention standard.
Chlamydophila felis: Recommended for cats in multi-cat environments.
Bordetella: Recommended for cats in high-density housing or shelter environments.

Discuss your pet’s individual risk profile with your veterinarian to determine the best vaccination plan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Vaccinations

Keep Your Pet's Vaccinations Up to Date

Protect Your Pet and Community with Timely Vaccinations

Vaccination is the foundation of preventive pet care. It protects individual animals, supports community immunity, and keeps pet owners in compliance with California law. At Pine Animal Hospital in Long Beach, CA, we provide complete vaccination services for dogs and cats, including puppy and kitten series, adult boosters, and risk-based non-core vaccine consultations.

To schedule a vaccination appointment or wellness exam, call 562-912-7463. We proudly serve pet owners throughout Long Beach and the surrounding South Bay communities.

Complete Pet Vaccination Schedule for Dogs and Cats — What’s Required by Law in California