Puppy and dog vaccination schedule in India, with costs
By the vetkar team · Updated · 4 min read
The short answer
- Puppies usually start core vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks, get boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks, and get their first rabies shot at around 12 weeks.
- A full puppy series costs about ₹2,500 – ₹8,000 at a private clinic; a single combination shot is ₹570 – ₹1,800.
- Your vet sets the exact dates, because they depend on your puppy's age, health and what is common in your area.
A typical puppy schedule
This is the pattern most Indian clinics follow, in line with global guidelines. Treat it as a guide to what to ask for, not a timetable to follow without your vet.
| Age | What is usually given | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | First combination shot (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) | Sold as 5-in-1, 7-in-1 or 9-in-1. The larger ones add leptospirosis. |
| 9 to 12 weeks | Second combination shot | Boosters are needed because a puppy's mother's antibodies can block the early doses. |
| 12 weeks | First rabies shot | Some vets give it a little earlier or later. |
| 14 to 16 weeks | Third combination shot | Global guidelines want the last puppy dose given at 16 weeks or older. |
| 6 to 12 months | Booster, and rabies booster at one year | This is the shot people forget. |
| Every year after | Rabies, plus combination booster as your vet advises | Some guidelines allow the combination booster every three years, but many Indian vets give it yearly. |
What the shots protect against
- Distemper, parvovirus and infectious hepatitis are the serious core diseases. Parvo and distemper are the ones that most often kill unvaccinated puppies.
- Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear and can pass to people, so it is the one shot that matters most for the whole household.
- Leptospirosis is added in 9-in-1 vaccines and matters in monsoon and waterlogged areas.
- Kennel cough (Bordetella) is optional. It is worth asking about if your dog will be boarded, groomed or sent to daycare.
What vaccination costs
Prices vary by clinic and by vaccine brand. These ranges are published figures from the sources listed below, rounded, not vetkar data. Government clinics and NGO drives often give the rabies shot for ₹50 to ₹100 or free.
| Service | Indicative range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies vaccine, one dose (dog) | ₹350 – ₹900 | Some government clinics and NGO drives charge ₹50–₹100 or nothing. Source: PetYaari, Conbun. |
| 7-in-1 or 9-in-1 combination, one dose (dog) | ₹570 – ₹1,800 | The 9-in-1 adds protection against leptospirosis. Imported brands cost more. Source: PetYaari, Conbun, Supertails. |
| Adult booster, one shot (dog) | ₹800 – ₹2,000 | Yearly, per the vet's schedule. Source: Conbun. |
| Full puppy series | ₹2,500 – ₹8,000 | The low end is the core shots; the high end adds rabies and kennel cough. Source: PetYaari, Conbun, Supertails. |
Before you go
- Ask what is in the shot (5-in-1, 7-in-1, 9-in-1) and whether the price is per dose or for the course.
- Ask for a vaccination card and have every dose written in it with the date. You will need it for boarding, travel and registration.
- Book the next dose before you leave, while the date is fresh.
- Puppies are not fully protected until the last puppy dose. Ask your vet when it is safe to take your puppy to parks and meet other dogs.
Deworming goes alongside
Puppies are usually dewormed every two weeks from two weeks of age until 8 weeks, then monthly until six months, with the dose set by weight. Your vet will choose the product. Ask for it to be noted next to the vaccines.
Adult dogs and missed boosters
Yearly rabies is the rule to plan around. If a booster is overdue, or you adopted a dog with no records, call a vet: they may restart the series or give one dose, depending on the dog's age and history. Do not guess from a friend's dog.
Keep the dates in one place
A vetkar Pet Passport keeps your dog's vaccine dates and reminds you before the next one is due, so a missed booster does not slip past.
Frequently asked questions
When should a puppy get its first vaccine in India?
Usually between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Boosters follow every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks, and the first rabies shot is commonly given at around 12 weeks.
How much does a full puppy vaccination course cost?
About ₹2,500 – ₹8,000 at a private clinic, depending on whether rabies and kennel cough are included. A single combination dose is ₹570 – ₹1,800 and a rabies dose ₹350 – ₹900.
Does a dog need a rabies shot every year in India?
Most Indian vets give rabies every year, and local rules and boarding kennels usually ask for a current certificate. Your vet can tell you what applies to your dog.
Can I take my puppy out before the vaccines are finished?
It is safest to wait until your vet says so, normally after the last puppy dose. Until then, avoid parks, pavements other dogs use and unknown dogs, because parvovirus spreads through the ground and other dogs.
Sources
- WSAVA: Vaccination Guidelines
- PetYaari: dog vaccinations in India
- Conbun: dog vaccination cost in India
- Supertails: dog vaccination schedule 2026
This is general information written from the sources above. It is not veterinary advice and has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. Your vet knows your pet, so follow their instructions, and see a vet promptly if your pet seems unwell.