There’s an uncomfortable truth prevailing in this country. Many pet dogs are either partially vaccinated or have never been vaccinated at all. And cats? They are often not vaccinated at all because, as per Indian pet owners, “they don’t go outside.” This assumption is dangerous.

I recall a case we saw last year. A young couple brought their first pet, an indoor Persian cat, that never stepped outside and, in fact, never met another animal. Yet she experienced severe respiratory symptoms. Diagnosis? Feline viral infection (FVRCP group), which was most likely brought in via clothing or open windows. This is where understanding dog vaccinations vs cat vaccinations becomes critical.

India is considered the global hub of rabies as it records the highest number of human rabies deaths globally, with most cases being linked to dog bites. According to the WHO and the Journal of Global Health, more than 17 million dog bites are estimated annually, leading to an estimated 18000-20000 deaths every year.

Veterinarians at Conbun handle hundreds of vaccination queries every month from pet parents across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and beyond. We have observed that this is one of the confusions among many pet parents:

“Do dogs and cats need the same vaccines?”

The answer is simple: NO. Absolutely not.

Cats and dogs face completely different disease risks, have different immune responses, and vaccination schedules. Vaccination schedules are especially important in India because of factors such as stray animal density, monsoon exposure, and a hot and humid climate. The extreme prevalence of rabies changes the game entirely. Yet, pet vaccination rates in India are considered low.

This guide will break down:

• Dog vaccination schedule India (2026)
• Cat vaccination schedule India (2026)
• Core vs non-core vaccines explained
• India-specific risks like Leptospirosis and rabies
• Cost comparison of pet vaccines in India

Because when it comes to vaccines, guessing is not an option.