TL;DR — UK averages, June 2026
- • Dog annual booster: £71.24 average (range £45–£95)
- • Cat annual booster: £73.41 average (range £50–£95)
- • Puppy primary course: £60–£100 (2 doses)
- • Kitten primary course: £55–£110 (2 doses)
- • Kennel cough (Nobivac KC): £30–£50
- • Rabies (travel): £45–£75
Core vs non-core: what WSAVA actually recommends
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) — the global gold standard most UK practices align with — splits vaccines into core (every pet) and non-core (lifestyle-driven).
Dogs — core
- Canine distemper virus (CDV)
- Canine adenovirus (CAV)
- Canine parvovirus (CPV)
- Leptospirosis (often treated as core in UK due to high disease burden)
Dogs — non-core (recommended based on lifestyle)
- Bordetella + parainfluenza (kennel cough) — for dogs who socialise, board or attend daycare
- Rabies — required for pet travel
- Canine herpesvirus — breeding bitches
Cats — core
- Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV / feline parvo)
- Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1)
- Feline calicivirus (FCV)
Cats — non-core
- Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) — strongly recommended for all cats with outdoor access
- Rabies — for travel
- Chlamydia — multi-cat households with conjunctivitis history
The typical UK schedule
| Age | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| 8–9 weeks | First DHPL | First FPV+FHV+FCV |
| 10–12 weeks | Second DHPL (immunity from 1 week later) | Second FPV+FHV+FCV (+/- FeLV) |
| 12 months | Booster | Booster |
| Annually | Lepto + KC; DHPV cycled 1–3 yearly | FHV+FCV annual; FPV every 3 years (WSAVA) |
Are over-the-counter vaccines safe?
No — vaccines are POM-V (prescription-only medicines administered by a vet). Cold-chain storage, correct timing and proper recording are essential for legitimate travel passports, boarding certificates and insurance claims.
How to save without compromising cover
- Compare practices in your area. Our data shows annual booster prices vary by £30+ within 10 miles in most postcodes — search by postcode.
- Use puppy/kitten packages. Many practices bundle the primary course + microchip + first nail clip + introductory health plan month for £80–£140 total.
- Get the kennel cough vaccine with the booster. Doing both in one visit avoids a separate consult fee.
- Healthcare plans can pay for themselves where vaccines, parasiticides and 6-monthly checks are bundled — see our plan analysis.
FAQs
Why do my dog's vaccines change yearly rather than every 3 years?
Lepto immunity is short-lived and given annually; the core viral components (DHP) can often be given every 3 years per WSAVA. UK practices' "annual booster" usually means lepto + checking which viral cover is due.
Are titre tests worth it?
For DHP they can confirm protection and avoid unnecessary boostering; they do not work for leptospirosis or KC.
About the data: Booster averages from 1,625 UK practices in our database (June 2026). Schedule follows WSAVA 2024 guidelines adapted for UK disease prevalence.