Puppy Vaccination Schedule in Singapore: A First-Year Guide
Bringing home a puppy in Singapore comes with a short but important medical to-do list: core vaccinations, microchipping and a dog licence. Here's the schedule most vets follow, what's legally required, and how to time socialisation safely around it.
The core vaccines every puppy needs
The core vaccines for dogs in Singapore protect against canine distemper, canine adenovirus (infectious canine hepatitis) and canine parvovirus — often given as a combined "C3" or as part of a DHPP shot that also covers parainfluenza. These diseases are serious, highly contagious and, in the case of parvovirus, frequently fatal for unvaccinated puppies. Singapore's first national vaccination guidelines for dogs and cats — developed by AVS/NParks and Singapore Veterinary Association vets — treat these as essential for every dog.
A typical first-year schedule
| Age | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | First core vaccine (C3/DHPP). Deworming usually starts here too. |
| 10–12 weeks | Second core booster. Non-core vaccines may start, based on lifestyle. |
| 14–16 weeks | Final puppy booster. Maternal antibodies have faded by now, so this one is critical. |
| ~16–18 weeks | 1–2 weeks after the last booster: dog runs, daycare and puppy classes are now safe. |
| ~1 year | First adult booster. Your vet will then advise annual or three-yearly boosters depending on the vaccine and your dog's risk profile. |
Exact timing varies with when your puppy's series started and which vaccines your clinic uses — treat this table as the common pattern, and your vet's schedule as the real one.
What about rabies?
Singapore is rabies-free, so rabies vaccination is not part of the routine schedule for dogs living here. It matters when crossing borders: importing a dog into Singapore or taking one overseas involves rabies vaccination and paperwork with lead times measured in months, so talk to your vet early if relocation or travel is on the horizon.
Non-core vaccines: does your puppy need them?
Non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle risk rather than for every dog:
- Leptospirosis — a bacterial disease spread through water and soil contaminated by rodent urine; worth discussing if your dog explores drains, undergrowth or wet areas.
- Kennel cough (Bordetella / parainfluenza) — usually required by boarding facilities, daycares and groomers. If your puppy will board or attend daycare, plan this ahead of the first stay.
Microchipping and licensing: the legal bits
Under the Animals and Birds (Licensing and Control of Cats and Dogs) Rules 2024, your dog must be microchipped before it can be licensed, and the microchip number must appear on the vaccination and treatment records used in the licence application. Licensing is done through AVS (NParks). Most clinics microchip during one of the puppy vaccine visits — one appointment, two boxes ticked.
Socialising safely before the shots are done
The prime socialisation window (roughly 3–14 weeks) closes before the vaccine series does — but that doesn't mean locking your puppy away. Do: carry them to see the world, host vaccinated visitor dogs, run puppy classes that check vaccination status. Don't: dog runs, void decks with heavy dog traffic, or sniffing unknown dogs' waste until 1–2 weeks after the final booster.
Frequently asked questions
When should my puppy get its first vaccination?
Around 6–8 weeks of age, then boosters every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks, and a booster within the first year.
Does my dog need a rabies vaccine?
Not for living in Singapore — only for import and export. Plan months ahead if you'll travel or relocate with your dog.
Is microchipping compulsory?
Yes — it's required before your dog can be licensed under the 2024 rules.
When can my puppy go to the dog park?
About 1–2 weeks after the final puppy booster, typically around 16–18 weeks of age.
A note from PawOS
This guide is published by PawOS, the all-in-one operating system for modern pet care businesses. We build the software behind vet clinics, groomers and boarding centres — including AI receptionists that answer pet parents' calls in any language, day or night. If you run a pet care business, see what PawOS can do.