How Much Do Cat and Dog Vaccinations Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)

Kitten and puppy jabs always seem to land at the worst time — you've just brought a new pet home, and within days you're being quoted £50 here, £90 there, for what looks like the same two injections. It isn't quite the same everywhere, and once you know what you're comparing, the gap makes a lot more sense.

What's actually in a vaccination course

Puppies and kittens need two injections a few weeks apart before they're properly protected — a single jab isn't enough to build full immunity. After that, most pets need annual or three-yearly boosters for the rest of their lives, depending on the vaccine and their lifestyle. Almost every vaccination appointment doubles as a mini health check too, usually bundled into the price rather than charged separately.

How much does it cost?

Based on prices UK practices have published, typical costs look like this: Cat primary course (2 injections): £50–£120 Cat annual booster: £35–£70 Dog primary course (2 injections): £60–£140 Dog annual booster: £40–£75

Dogs cost a bit more than cats at both stages, mainly because the core dog vaccine covers leptospirosis — a disease that needs re-boosting every year even after the rest of the course has moved onto a three-year cycle, which pushes the price up. Rabbits need their own combined vaccine against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease, usually £40–£90 a year.

You can see real prices for cat vaccinations, cat boosters, dog vaccinations, dog boosters and rabbit vaccinations by practice on VetPricelist — search your postcode to compare what's near you.

Why two injections for puppies and kittens?

A newborn puppy or kitten gets some protection from its mother's milk in the first few weeks, but that protection fades unpredictably, and can actually stop a single vaccine from working properly while it's still active. Two injections a few weeks apart — usually from around 6–9 weeks and again at 10–12 weeks — close that gap, whichever week the maternal protection happens to wear off in your particular puppy or kitten. They're not considered fully covered until a week or two after the second injection, which is why vets advise keeping them away from unvaccinated animals and public spaces until then.

Do adult pets really need annual boosters?

Some components, yes; not necessarily all of them every year. Most core elements now provide three years of immunity once a pet has had its first annual booster, but leptospirosis in dogs needs boosting every year regardless, because immunity to it doesn't last as long as the rest. That's part of why dog booster prices vary so much between practices — you might be paying for a full annual set at one practice, and just the annual components at another, with the three-year elements skipped that year. It's worth asking your vet exactly what's due before comparing a "cheap" booster quote against a fuller one — they might not be covering the same thing.

What actually changes the price

Whether FeLV (feline leukaemia) is included as standard in a cat vaccine, or added separately Whether kennel cough is bundled into a dog vaccine, or charged on top — worth checking if your dog goes to kennels or daycare Whether a full health check is included at the same appointment Location — practices in London and the South East tend to charge more than the UK average, as with most veterinary fees

How to compare quotes properly

A £15 gap between two "same" vaccination quotes often isn't really comparing the same thing — one practice might include FeLV and a full health check, another might be pricing the injection alone. Ask what's actually included before deciding on price alone. It's also worth checking whether a practice offers a health plan — many bundle annual boosters, flea and worm treatment, and a check-up into a fixed monthly fee that can work out cheaper than paying for each visit separately.

VetPricelist collects prices UK vet practices are required to publish under the CMA's transparency rules, so you can see real costs near you before you book. Search by your postcode to compare.