Vaccinations are the most routine reason you’ll see your vet — and the source of a lot of small confusions. Here’s the plain version: what the categories mean, roughly when they happen, and why your boarding kennel will ask for proof.
Core vs non-core
Vets group vaccines into two buckets:
- Core — recommended for nearly every pet, because they protect against serious and common diseases.
- Non-core — recommended based on your pet’s lifestyle and risk. A dog that boards, goes to daycare or mixes at the park has different needs to one that mostly stays home.
Your vet builds the right mix for your pet — there isn’t a single universal list, and it changes with age and circumstances.
Puppies and kittens
Young animals get a short series of vaccinations a few weeks apart while their immunity builds, then move onto a booster schedule as adults. Until that first course is complete, vets usually advise being careful about where you take a puppy or kitten. Your clinic will give you the exact dates and a record to keep.
Keep the paperwork
Your vaccination certificate matters beyond the vet. You’ll need it for:
- Boarding kennels and catteries
- Doggy daycare and some training classes
- Switching to a new clinic, so they can pick up your pet’s history
Most facilities want certificates current and dated a couple of weeks ahead, so check requirements before you book travel or daycare.
Clinics that list vaccinations535 in Melbourne, by suburb→
A note on advice
This is general information to help you ask good questions — not medical advice. Your vet knows your pet, your area’s disease risks and the current guidance, so treat their recommendation as the one that counts.
Vaccination FAQs
What’s the difference between core and non-core vaccines?
Core vaccines protect against serious, widespread diseases and are recommended for almost every pet. Non-core vaccines are advised based on lifestyle and risk — for example, kennel cough cover for dogs that board or go to daycare. Your vet will recommend a combination based on your pet and where you live.
How often does my pet need boosters?
It varies by vaccine and your pet’s history — some are given yearly, others every three years. Your vet keeps the schedule and will remind you when one is due. Bring any vaccination history from a previous clinic or breeder.
Do boarding kennels and daycare require vaccination?
Almost always, yes. Most boarding facilities and daycares ask for up-to-date vaccination certificates — often including kennel cough — and need them a couple of weeks before your booking, so don’t leave it to the last minute.