How many vet visits does a puppy or kitten need for vaccines?

Most puppies and kittens need three to four visits spaced three to four weeks apart, starting around 6 to 8 weeks of age. The series wraps up around 16 weeks. After that, boosters are due at one year, then on a regular schedule depending on the vaccine.

What vaccines are considered core for puppies?

Core puppy vaccines are DA2PP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza -- often called DHPP or 5-in-1) and rabies. Bordetella (kennel cough) is not always listed as core but is required by most boarding and daycare facilities.

What vaccines are core for kittens?

Core kitten vaccines are FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia -- the 3-in-1) and rabies. Feline leukemia (FeLV) is recommended for cats that go outdoors or live with other cats.

Can I skip some vaccines to save money?

Rabies is legally required in Colorado for dogs and cats over 3 months of age. The other core vaccines protect against serious, often fatal diseases. Lifestyle vaccines like Bordetella or Lyme can reasonably be skipped if the risk is low, but that decision should come from a vet who knows your pet's situation.

Puppy and kitten vaccines: what the core series covers and what it costs

By Maya Krishnan · Updated 2026-03-16

This guide covers general vaccination information. Your vet will recommend a schedule based on your individual pet’s age, health, and lifestyle. This is not medical advice.

Why the series takes multiple visits

Young animals have maternal antibodies from their mothers that can interfere with vaccines — the vaccine triggers an immune response, but the maternal antibodies can neutralize it before a durable one forms. Giving the series in multiple rounds, spaced a few weeks apart, ensures at least one dose lands after those maternal antibodies have faded. The final dose at 16 weeks is the one most likely to produce lasting protection.

This is not optional padding. A puppy or kitten that only received one or two shots in the series may still be vulnerable, even if those shots were core vaccines.

Core vaccines and the typical schedule

Age	Puppy vaccines	Kitten vaccines
6-8 weeks	DA2PP (first dose)	FVRCP (first dose)
10-12 weeks	DA2PP (second dose), Bordetella	FVRCP (second dose), FeLV (first dose if outdoor)
14-16 weeks	DA2PP (third dose), Rabies	FVRCP (third dose), FeLV (second dose), Rabies
12-16 months	DA2PP booster, Rabies booster	FVRCP booster, Rabies booster

Individual vets may adjust this schedule based on when the pet came in and its specific history. The table above shows the most common sequence.

A veterinary technician gently administering a vaccine to a small puppy during a kitten series visit in a calm exam room

What the series costs in the Denver area

Per-visit costs vary by clinic type, but here is a reasonable range:

Item	Typical cost per dose
DA2PP (puppy combination)	$25 - $45
FVRCP (kitten combination)	$20 - $40
Rabies	$20 - $35
Bordetella (nasal or injectable)	$20 - $35
FeLV (feline leukemia)	$25 - $45
Exam fee (per visit)	$55 - $115

A full puppy or kitten series at a full-service clinic in Denver typically runs $300 to $600 total across all visits, including exam fees. Low-cost clinics and vaccine events can cut that significantly — sometimes to $100 to $200 — but those settings often do not include a full wellness exam.

Lifestyle vaccines: optional but sometimes worth it

Beyond the core series, vets may recommend:

Leptospirosis: for dogs that swim in natural water, hike in wildlife areas, or live near drainage ditches. Colorado has reported cases.
Lyme disease: for dogs in tick-heavy areas or those that spend time in tall grass and wooded terrain.
Influenza (dogs): for dogs that spend time in high-contact settings like boarding, grooming, or dog parks.

These are not required, but the risk-benefit discussion is worth having with your vet if any of those situations apply to your pet.

After the puppy or kitten series

Core vaccines do not expire the moment the year is up. Adult dogs and cats generally shift to three-year rabies vaccines (after the first annual booster) and triennial DA2PP or FVRCP in many clinics. Your vet will advise on the specific schedule.

Our general veterinary care category lists Denver-area clinics that handle wellness and vaccine visits. The directory home page and our ranking method explain how we score them.

FAQ

How many vet visits does a puppy or kitten need for vaccines?: Most puppies and kittens need three to four visits spaced three to four weeks apart, starting around 6 to 8 weeks of age. The series wraps up around 16 weeks. After that, boosters are due at one year, then on a regular schedule depending on the vaccine.
What vaccines are considered core for puppies?: Core puppy vaccines are DA2PP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza -- often called DHPP or 5-in-1) and rabies. Bordetella (kennel cough) is not always listed as core but is required by most boarding and daycare facilities.
What vaccines are core for kittens?: Core kitten vaccines are FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia -- the 3-in-1) and rabies. Feline leukemia (FeLV) is recommended for cats that go outdoors or live with other cats.
Can I skip some vaccines to save money?: Rabies is legally required in Colorado for dogs and cats over 3 months of age. The other core vaccines protect against serious, often fatal diseases. Lifestyle vaccines like Bordetella or Lyme can reasonably be skipped if the risk is low, but that decision should come from a vet who knows your pet's situation.