Pocket VetAdult dog vaccine & wellness schedule
After the first-year boosters, adult dogs settle into a steady rhythm: core boosters every 1–3 years, lifestyle vaccines annually, and a yearly wellness exam that catches problems early.
The schedule
Every year
- ✓Wellness exam (weight, teeth, heart, lumps)
- ✓Lifestyle vaccines as needed: leptospirosis, Bordetella, lyme (regional)
- ✓Heartworm test (where regional) + year-round parasite prevention
Every 1–3 years
- ✓DHPP booster (interval per product/vet)
- ✓Rabies booster (interval per product and local law)
From age ~7 (senior)
- ✓Twice-yearly exams recommended
- ✓Annual senior bloodwork + urinalysis (kidney, liver, thyroid)
- ✓Weight and mobility check
Good to know
- ●Titer testing is an option for some core vaccines if you prefer evidence over automatic boosters — discuss with your vet.
- ●Boarding, daycare, and grooming usually require current Bordetella.
- ●An annual exam is the single highest-value visit — most diseases are cheaper caught early.
Something off with your dog after a shot — or anytime?
Describe the symptoms and get an instant, calm triage — home care, vet soon, or emergency.
Check my dog nowFrequently asked
Does my adult dog really need shots every year?
Not all of them. Core vaccines (DHPP, rabies) are often every 3 years; lifestyle vaccines like lepto and kennel cough are annual. The yearly visit itself matters even when no shot is due.
What is a titer test?
A blood test measuring existing immunity to diseases like parvo and distemper. Adequate titers can justify skipping a booster — useful for dogs with vaccine reactions. Rabies is usually still legally required.
More schedules
Pocket Vet editorial team
Written and maintained by the Pocket Vet editorial team using authoritative veterinary sources. Reviewed June 10, 2026. This guide is informational only and not a substitute for professional veterinary care — see our editorial & safety policy. When in doubt, contact your vet; in a true emergency, go to an emergency clinic immediately.
Sources