VetCostCalc

Dog & Cat Vaccination Cost: $15–$50 Per Shot (2026 Schedule)

Dog and cat vaccines cost $15–$50 per shot at a private vet. The first-year puppy series runs $200–$400 across 3–4 visits. Adult annual boosters: $80–$200. Rabies is legally required in all 50 states. Low-cost clinics at pet stores and humane societies charge $10–$20 per shot — same vaccines, less overhead.

Cost at a Glance

Dog

$0–$0

Private vet, national avg

Cat

$0–$0

Private vet, national avg

Low-cost clinic / pet store

$10–$20

SPCA / Humane Society

CA / NY

$0–$0

25–35% above avg

What Affects the Cost

  • ▸ Puppy/kitten year is the expensive one. Three to four visits for the initial vaccine series, plus deworming and the first exam. After year one, annual visits drop to one booster appointment.
  • ▸ Rabies is non-negotiable. Required by law in every state. Most clinics use a 3-year rabies vaccine after the initial 1-year shot. Cost: $15–$25.
  • ▸ DHPP (dogs) and FVRCP (cats) are the core combo vaccines. Each shot protects against 3–4 diseases. Given as a series in puppies/kittens, then every 1–3 years as adults.
  • ▸ Bordetella (kennel cough) is technically optional but required by every boarding facility, groomer, and most daycares. Budget $20–$30 annually if your dog goes anywhere with other dogs.
  • ▸ Exam fees are separate. The $50–$80 exam fee is billed on top of vaccine costs. Low-cost vaccine clinics skip the exam, which is how they charge less — but you miss the physical assessment.

Cost by State

National average adjusted by state cost-of-living index. Urban areas run ~30% higher than suburban; rural ~25% lower.

State Dog Cat vs. Avg
Alabama $0–$0 $0–$0 -18%
Alaska $0–$0 $0–$0 +25%
Arizona $0–$0 $0–$0 -5%
Arkansas $0–$0 $0–$0 -20%
California $0–$0 $0–$0 +35%
Colorado $0–$0 $0–$0 +10%
Connecticut $0–$0 $0–$0 +25%
Delaware $0–$0 $0–$0 +5%
Florida $0–$0 $0–$0 0%
Georgia $0–$0 $0–$0 -10%
Hawaii $0–$0 $0–$0 +40%
Idaho $0–$0 $0–$0 -10%
Illinois $0–$0 $0–$0 +5%
Indiana $0–$0 $0–$0 -12%
Iowa $0–$0 $0–$0 -15%
Kansas $0–$0 $0–$0 -15%
Kentucky $0–$0 $0–$0 -15%
Louisiana $0–$0 $0–$0 -15%
Maine $0–$0 $0–$0 0%
Maryland $0–$0 $0–$0 +15%
Massachusetts $0–$0 $0–$0 +30%
Michigan $0–$0 $0–$0 -10%
Minnesota $0–$0 $0–$0 0%
Mississippi $0–$0 $0–$0 -22%
Missouri $0–$0 $0–$0 -15%
Montana $0–$0 $0–$0 -8%
Nebraska $0–$0 $0–$0 -12%
Nevada $0–$0 $0–$0 +5%
New Hampshire $0–$0 $0–$0 +10%
New Jersey $0–$0 $0–$0 +25%
New Mexico $0–$0 $0–$0 -12%
New York $0–$0 $0–$0 +30%
North Carolina $0–$0 $0–$0 -8%
North Dakota $0–$0 $0–$0 -12%
Ohio $0–$0 $0–$0 -10%
Oklahoma $0–$0 $0–$0 -18%
Oregon $0–$0 $0–$0 +10%
Pennsylvania $0–$0 $0–$0 0%
Rhode Island $0–$0 $0–$0 +10%
South Carolina $0–$0 $0–$0 -12%
South Dakota $0–$0 $0–$0 -15%
Tennessee $0–$0 $0–$0 -12%
Texas $0–$0 $0–$0 -8%
Utah $0–$0 $0–$0 -5%
Vermont $0–$0 $0–$0 +5%
Virginia $0–$0 $0–$0 +5%
Washington $0–$0 $0–$0 +15%
West Virginia $0–$0 $0–$0 -20%
Wisconsin $0–$0 $0–$0 -8%
Wyoming $0–$0 $0–$0 -10%

Data: AVMA fee surveys, BLS cost-of-living data. Ranges reflect typical private practice prices — low-cost clinics and university teaching hospitals charge significantly less.

Common Questions

How much do dog vaccinations cost? ▼
Individual dog vaccines cost $15–$50 per shot at a private vet. The puppy series (DHPP given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks) runs $75–$150 for the three rounds, plus rabies ($15–$25). A first-year puppy vaccination schedule including the exam fees, DHPP series, rabies, bordetella, and leptospirosis typically totals $200–$400. After year one, annual boosters run $80–$200 depending on which vaccines are due. Low-cost clinics and pet stores (Petco, Tractor Supply) offer vaccine clinics at $10–$20 per shot.
How much do cat vaccinations cost? ▼
Cat vaccines cost $15–$45 per shot. The kitten series (FVRCP at 8, 12, and 16 weeks plus rabies) totals $150–$300 including exam fees. Annual adult cat vaccinations run $80–$180 for the exam plus boosters. Indoor-only cats still need rabies (required by law in most states) and FVRCP. The FeLV vaccine ($25–$45) is recommended for cats that go outdoors or live with FeLV-positive cats. Low-cost clinics charge $10–$20 per shot without the exam fee.
Which dog vaccines are required vs optional? ▼
Core vaccines (required for all dogs): DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) and rabies. Rabies is legally required in all 50 states. Non-core vaccines depend on lifestyle: bordetella (kennel cough) is required by most boarding facilities and groomers. Leptospirosis is recommended in areas with wildlife exposure. Canine influenza is recommended for dogs in daycare or dog parks. Lyme vaccine is recommended in tick-heavy regions (Northeast, upper Midwest). Your vet will recommend based on where you live and what your dog does.
Where can I get cheap pet vaccinations? ▼
Low-cost vaccine clinics run by humane societies, ASPCA affiliates, and county animal services charge $10–$20 per shot — sometimes less at community events. Petco and PetSmart host walk-in vaccine clinics through Vetco and ShotVet at $15–$30 per vaccine. Tractor Supply stores run similar clinics in rural areas. These clinics give the same vaccines using the same manufacturers. The trade-off: no physical exam, no medical history review, and limited ability to handle adverse reactions on-site. For healthy adult pets getting routine boosters, they're a solid option.

Related Procedures

Annual Wellness Exam Cost Microchip Cost Preventive Care Planner All Procedure Costs

More Procedure Cost Guides

Dental

Dog Dental Cleaning Cat Dental Cleaning Dental Cleaning Cost Dog vs Cat Dental Prices

Surgery

Dog ACL Surgery Hip Dysplasia Surgery Dog Bloat Surgery Pet MRI Cost Ultrasound Cost Surgery Cost Guide

Spay & Neuter

Dog Spay Dog Neuter Cat Spay Cat Neuter Spay by Breed Size

Diagnostics

Blood Test Cost X-Ray Cost Wellness Exam Cost Microchip Cost Allergy Testing

Emergency

Emergency Vet Costs Bloat (GDV) Dog Ate Chocolate Poisoning Treatment Broken Bone Repair Swallowed Object Induce Vomiting Vomiting Treatment Dog Ear Infection Cat Urinary Blockage
View all vet cost guides →

Build a complete estimate for your pet's vet visit.

Use the Full Calculator

Data: Nationwide Pet Insurance Claims Data, AVMA U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, APPA National Pet Owners Survey, VECCS Emergency Cost Data

Last updated: March 2026

How we calculate this · Pet insurance terms vary. Read the policy carefully, especially exclusions for pre-existing and breed-specific conditions.

Embed this calculator

Add this free calculator to your website or blog — no signup required. 

<iframe
  src="https://vetcostcalc.com/vaccination-cost?embed=true&utm_source=embed&utm_medium=iframe&utm_campaign=widget"
  title="Dog & Cat Vaccination Cost: $15–$50 Per Shot (2026 Schedule)"
  width="100%"
  height="520"
  style="border:none; border-radius:8px; box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,.12);"
  loading="lazy"
  allowtransparency="true"
></iframe>