Vet costs
How much do pet vaccinations cost?
Vaccines are priced per shot, and a puppy or kitten series is several visits. This guide lists published 2026 per-vaccine prices and bundle examples, then the schedule each core vaccine follows so you can see how many shots the first year really involves.
By the PetVitale editorial team · Last reviewed · Sources listed below
The short answer
- Core vaccines commonly cost $15 to $40 each and non-core $20 to $50 each (Webvet, July 2026).
- Provider examples published by Webvet in August 2026 ranged from a $10 rabies shot at a low-cost clinic to $269 for a full puppy package.
- Puppies and kittens start their series at 6 to 8 weeks and repeat every 3 to 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks (VCA).
Vaccine prices per shot
| Item | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Core vaccine (each) | $15 – $40 | Webvet, Jul 2026 |
| Non-core vaccine (each) | $20 – $50 | Webvet, Jul 2026 |
| Rabies, provider examples | $10 (low-cost clinic) to $39 | Webvet, Aug 2026 |
| DHPP (dog distemper combo), provider examples | $28 to $46 | Webvet, Aug 2026 |
| Puppy vaccine packages, provider examples | $69, $215, $269 | Webvet, Aug 2026 |
How to read these numbers: they are national estimates published by the sources below, not PetVitale data. Your clinic's price depends on your city, your pet's size and age, what the quote bundles (exam, bloodwork, anesthesia, pain relief) and whether you use a non-profit or low-cost program. Ask for a written estimate before you book.
Dog vaccination schedule
VCA Animal Hospitals lists the core dog vaccines as distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus (usually combined with parainfluenza as DA2PP), leptospirosis and rabies. Puppies start the combination series at 6 to 8 weeks, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks. The rabies vaccine is typically given between 12 and 16 weeks. Adult boosters follow every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine and local law.
- Non-core dog vaccines (Bordetella, canine influenza, Lyme) depend on lifestyle: boarding, daycare, dog parks and tick exposure.
- Rabies timing and booster intervals are set by state or provincial law, not only by the clinic.
Cat vaccination schedule
For cats, VCA lists FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) and rabies as core, with feline leukemia (FeLV) treated as core for kittens and cats up to one year. Kittens start at 6 to 8 weeks and repeat every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 to 20 weeks. Low-risk indoor adults may move to a three-year interval for some vaccines.
Ways to lower vaccination cost
- Municipal and non-profit clinics run low-cost rabies and core vaccine days; the $10 rabies example above is from one.
- Puppy and kitten packages bundle exams, vaccines and deworming for one price; compare the package to the itemized total.
- Keep the vaccine certificate. Boarding, groomers and new clinics will ask, and a lost record can mean a repeated shot.
Questions pet parents ask
Sources
- How much does a vet visit cost? — Webvet, reviewed by Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS MRCVS, July 2026
- Dog vaccination cost — Webvet, reviewed by Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS MRCVS, August 2026
- Vaccines for dogs — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Vaccines for cats — VCA Animal Hospitals
Related guides and tools
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Prices are published estimates that vary by clinic, region and your pet's needs — ask your veterinarian for a written estimate. PetVitale organizes your pet's records and reminders; it does not replace your vet.