Pixie's Vaccination Diary: What I Learned Getting It Right in India
A Gurgaon dog parent's first-person guide to the dog vaccination schedule India vets recommend — timings, costs, and what I wish I'd known earlier.
TL;DR: India's recommended dog vaccination schedule starts at 6–8 weeks and runs through the first year, then repeats annually. I got some of it wrong with Pixie. Here's the full picture, in the order it actually matters.
I brought Pixie home on a Tuesday in February.
By Thursday I had a folder full of contradictory WhatsApp forwards, three different schedules from three different sources, and a Maltese puppy who had already peed on my laptop charger.
The vaccination question was the one that kept me up.
The Problem With "Just Ask Your Vet"
I did ask my vet.
Two of them, actually — one in Sector 56, one recommended by my building's Facebook group.
They gave me slightly different schedules, different brand names, different opinions on whether certain vaccines were "mandatory" or "optional." One said DHPPiL at 6 weeks. The other said wait until 8.
I wasn't looking for a debate. I was looking for a baseline — the kind of thing I could cross-reference and actually understand.
So I did what any mildly anxious new dog parent does at 11pm. I read everything.
Here is what I put together, and what Pixie's actual schedule looked like.
The Dog Vaccination Schedule India Vets Generally Follow
This is the framework. Your vet will adjust based on your dog's breed, weight, and health status — but this is the standard starting point.
6–8 weeks
First DHPPiL shot. This covers Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis. Pixie got this at 7 weeks, right before I picked her up from the breeder. She sneezed once and fell asleep. That was it.
10–12 weeks
Second DHPPiL (booster). Some vets also introduce the Coronavirus vaccine here, especially if your dog will be in parks, boarding, or around other dogs. Pixie got the Corona vaccine added at this visit — the vet in Sector 56 suggested it since we live in a society with a common dog-walking area.
14–16 weeks
Third DHPPiL booster. Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) also starts here. ARV is not optional — it is legally mandated in India and important whether your dog ever goes outdoors or not.
Kennel Cough (Bordetella)
Often recommended separately, especially for dogs in apartments with shared elevators and corridors. Our building has 240 units. Everyone uses the same lift. The vet made this sound less optional than the packaging suggested.
Annual boosters
DHPPiL, ARV, and Kennel Cough all need annual renewal. I set a phone reminder now. I missed Pixie's 12-month booster by three weeks the first time because I assumed the vet would call. They did not.
What I Got Wrong the First Time
I underestimated the gaps.
I took Pixie for her 6-week shot and then assumed I'd remember when to go back. I didn't write it down. I didn't set a reminder. The 10-week window came and went, and I ended up going at 13 weeks — not catastrophic, but not ideal.
The vet was calm about it. "It happens," she said. "Just don't skip the ARV."
I also didn't ask about costs upfront. The DHPPiL shot ranges from roughly ₹800–₹1,500 per visit depending on the clinic and city. ARV is often cheaper, around ₹300–₹600. Kennel Cough adds another ₹500–₹900. Annual costs for a fully vaccinated dog in a metro are usually in the ₹3,000–₹5,000 range per year, not counting consultation fees.
If you're mapping out the full first-year cost of dog ownership — vaccines are just one piece. I broke down the bigger picture in this honest cost guide for apartment dog parents.
What the Routine Looks Like Now
Pixie is two. She's on a clean annual cycle.
Every January, she gets her DHPPiL booster. February is ARV. Kennel Cough follows in March. It took me one full year of mild chaos to build this rhythm.
I also stopped assuming that outdoor exposure was the only risk. Pixie rarely touches the ground outside our floor — she uses her coir pad at home for most of the day. But viruses don't care about that. A contaminated lift floor, a visitor's shoes, a playdate on the terrace — it adds up. Vaccination is the layer that covers what good hygiene can't.
Speaking of which — if you're still carrying your unvaccinated puppy everywhere and wondering about how often dogs actually need to go outside, that article will answer a few things you didn't know you were confused about.
What I'd Tell You Now
Write the dates down the day you get the first shot.
Don't wait for the vet to call. Build the schedule yourself, then confirm it with your vet at each visit. The framework above is a solid starting point — the specific brands and exact timing are your vet's call, not mine.
And please don't skip the ARV. That one is not negotiable.
FAQ
What is the dog vaccination schedule in India for puppies?
The standard schedule starts with DHPPiL at 6–8 weeks, followed by boosters at 10–12 weeks and 14–16 weeks. The Anti-Rabies Vaccine begins at 14–16 weeks. Kennel Cough is often added depending on the dog's environment. Annual boosters follow after the first year. Your vet may adjust the exact timing based on your puppy's age and health at the time of adoption.
Is the Anti-Rabies Vaccine mandatory for dogs in India?
Yes. ARV is legally mandated in India and is required regardless of whether your dog goes outdoors regularly. Most vets administer it starting at 14–16 weeks, with an annual booster every year after that. Some municipalities also require proof of ARV for dog licensing.
How much does a full vaccination course cost for a dog in India?
Costs vary by city and clinic, but a rough estimate for the full puppy vaccination course (DHPPiL series plus ARV) runs between ₹3,000–₹6,000 in metros like Delhi NCR, Pune, or Bengaluru. Annual boosters after the first year typically cost ₹3,000–₹5,000, not including consultation fees. Always ask your vet for an itemised estimate before the visit.
Pixie is asleep on her coir pad as I write this. Fully vaccinated. Mildly smug about it.
If you're setting up a proper indoor routine for your dog while they're in that unvaccinated early window, take a look at SniffSociety's natural coir pads — built for exactly this kind of apartment life.