What are the core vaccines for dogs and cats and their typical scheduling?

• A. Dogs: DA2PP and rabies; Cats: FVRCP and rabies; begin at 6–8 weeks with boosters every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks; follow-up boosters per guidelines.
• B. Dogs: DA2PP; Cats: Rabies; begin at 9 weeks; boosters every year.
• C. Only rabies vaccine is core for both; vaccines start at 6 months.
• D. Core vaccines are not recommended in healthy pets.

Answer: (A)

Core vaccines protect against diseases that are highly contagious and can be life-threatening, so healthy dogs and cats should receive them. For dogs, the core vaccines are DA2PP (distemper, adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza, parvovirus) and rabies. For cats, the core vaccines are FVRCP (feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, panleukopenia) and rabies. The typical initial schedule begins at about 6–8 weeks of age and continues every 3–4 weeks until around 16 weeks. This staged series helps overcome maternal antibodies and ensures the animal develops robust immunity before potential exposure. After the initial series, boosters are given per guidelines, which may be annually or every few years depending on the vaccine and local regulations. Rabies is included as a core vaccine for public health and legal reasons, which is why it appears in both species’ core sets. Other options omit one or more core vaccines or suggest an outdated or incorrect schedule, and one even wrongly states core vaccines aren’t recommended in healthy pets.