Vaccination Schedule for Dogs in India — 2026 Guide

Core vaccines, timing, cost, and what to expect — the complete guide for Indian dog owners.

Quick Reference

The core vaccines every dog in India must receive — and the exact timing
Non-core vaccines worth considering based on lifestyle
The complete puppy schedule from 6 weeks to 1 year
Where to get vaccinations and how much to budget

Vaccination is the single most important preventive health measure you can take for your dog. Yet in India, vaccination schedules are often inconsistent, advice varies between vets, and many dog owners are uncertain about what is actually required. This guide gives you clarity.

Core Vaccines: Non-Negotiable for Every Dog in India

DHPPi (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)

Given as a combination vaccine — one injection covers four diseases. This is the backbone of canine vaccination. Distemper and Parvovirus alone kill thousands of unvaccinated dogs in India every year.

Available as 5-in-1 (adds Leptospirosis) or 7-in-1 (adds more). Ask your vet which combination they use.

Rabies

Legally mandatory in India. Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear in both dogs and humans. There is no treatment. Prevention through vaccination is the only option. Annual booster required (some 3-year vaccines exist — confirm with your vet).

Puppy Schedule (Standard Indian Protocol)

Age	Vaccines	Notes
6–8 weeks	DHPPi (1st dose)	First vaccination — keep puppy away from public areas
9–12 weeks	DHPPi (2nd dose) + Rabies	Rabies required; add Leptospirosis if recommended
14–16 weeks	DHPPi (3rd/final dose)	Primary series complete; full protection 2 weeks later
1 year	DHPPi annual + Rabies booster	Annual boosters begin, every year for life

Don't Wait

Parvovirus can survive in soil for up to one year and is present in nearly every urban park and outdoor space in India. An unvaccinated puppy can contract it from a surface that an infected dog touched weeks earlier. Do not take your puppy to parks, pet shops, or public areas until 2 weeks after the third DHPPi dose — typically around 16–18 weeks of age. The risk during this window is very real and the disease is almost always fatal.

Non-Core Vaccines: Recommended Based on Risk

Leptospirosis

Strongly recommended for Indian dogs. Leptospirosis spreads through water and soil contaminated with infected animal urine — highly prevalent in India, especially during monsoon. It is also zoonotic — it can infect humans. The vaccine is available as part of 5-in-1 or as a separate injection.

Kennel Cough (Bordetella)

Recommended if your dog goes to dog parks, boarding facilities, or dog shows. Available as an intranasal vaccine or injection.

Adult Boosters

Annual DHPPi and Rabies boosters are required to maintain immunity. Some vets now offer titre testing — a blood test that measures antibody levels — as an alternative to blanket annual boosters for adult dogs. Discuss with your vet if this is appropriate for your dog.

Cold Chain Matters

Vaccines must be stored between 2–8°C at all times. Vaccines exposed to temperatures above 8°C become partially or completely ineffective — but you cannot tell by looking at them. Always get vaccinations from a licensed veterinary clinic, never from a pet shop or unlicensed practitioner. The difference between an effective and an ineffective vaccine looks identical; only the storage conditions tell you which one you're getting.

Where to Get Vaccinations in India

Always use a licensed veterinary clinic. Vaccines require proper cold chain storage. Pet shops selling vaccines cannot guarantee proper storage.

Cost range in India: ₹300–800 per combination vaccine visit depending on city and clinic. The Rabies vaccine is often subsidised and available through government veterinary hospitals.

Keep Records

Maintain a physical vaccination booklet that your vet stamps and signs at every visit. Photograph every page and store in your phone's camera roll. Many boarding facilities, groomers, and dog parks in India now require proof of vaccination — and if your dog bites someone, vaccination records are legally important. Treat this booklet like a passport. Replace it immediately if lost.

Bottom Line

The puppy vaccination series and annual boosters cost less than a single hospitalisation for Parvovirus or Distemper. Follow the schedule, use a licensed vet clinic, keep your records, and don't delay boosters. The diseases these vaccines prevent are common in India, often fatal, and entirely avoidable. Vaccination is the single highest-return health investment you will ever make for your dog.