How soon can I get my dog or cat's rabies vaccine before it expires?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
How close to my animals expiration of rabies vaccine can I get them vaccinated
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 2nd, 2019
That partially depends on the state laws and where you live. Generally most vets will give the vaccine if the expiration date is within 6 weeks. If live in a state that allows 3 year rabies vaccines and you pet has already had one and is due for another 3 year vaccine, the vet may give that 6 months before the actual due date if it is more convenient for the owner. It does all however depend upon the doctor. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
71Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 10th, 2018
HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If it was a one year Rabies vaccine it should be boostered on or before the one year mark of when he received the last vaccine. The expiration date you are referring to may be of the actual vaccine (from the company) expiration date which is more for the Vet offices use, not when the vaccine expires for Garfield. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I am wondering if I need to get my cats rabies shot re-administered on the one year mark of when he received the vaccine or around the time of the vaccine expiration date?
HI, thanks for using Boop by Petco! If it was a one year Rabies vaccine it should be boostered on or before the one year mark of when he received the last vaccine. The expiration date you are referring to may be of the actual vaccine (from the company) expiration date which is more for the Vet offices use, not when the vaccine expires for Garfield. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 13 year old dog has always been vaccinated. Her rabies expires November 2019. Can I wait till December 1st to get her shot? Also she’s on the 3 year booster. Will she be able to get that or does she have to go back to a one year
Most veterinarians feel comfortable administering another 3 year vaccine as long as the vaccine is only later by a month. Try to get her in obviously as close to the regulatory schedule date as possible. You may also call your vet and confirm they are comfortable administering another 3 year vaccine a little late. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I read that the first rabies vaccine is good for 1 year, and my dog is a 1 and 1/2 years old. She hasn't had her 2 rabies vaccine
You are correct, the first rabies vaccine is only good for one year. After that, depending on where you live, the next rabies vaccine could be good for three years. Some cities/states still require the rabies vaccine to be given every year though so you need to check what the law is in your area. Your vet will know. All, that being said, with her rabies vaccine being overdue - you need to update it as soon as possible and it may only be marked good for one year because you are overdue. Again, you must check with your vet regarding your local laws. Regardless, you need to get her rabies vaccine booster as soon as you can. Hope this answers your question. Best wishes!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs yearly vaccinations expired late June however I can’t get her into the vet til august 12 will that put her at Risk with a gap of a month
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. It is unlikely that being late by a month will increase Riley's risk of becoming infected with any of the diseases that are prevented by the vaccines. The vaccines work to increase Riley's immune protection, and this should last long enough until she gets her next vaccine in August. Based on what state you are in, there are different laws for the Rabies vaccine. If she is late even by one day, some states require her to get the Rabies vaccine that only lasts 1 year, rather than the one that lasts 3 years. That is the only issue I can think of that could apply, but again, this depends on what state you are in. I hope this is helpful!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
After rabies 1year vaccine has expired, why do I have to wait 2weeks to have my pup vaccinated with 3year?
I'm not sure why this would be - I can't think of any reason that you would be required to wait, and this is not our policy at my clinic. I would suggest asking your vet why he/she recommends waiting, as this isn't common practice in my experience.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What happens if my dog gets a rabies shot again even if the first one isn’t expired yet?
Your pet will likely be fine as long as Scooby does not have an vaccine allergy issues. Many vets will try to get dogs on a schedule so that all vaccines are done at once (so clients don’t have to come in multiple times). If you have concerns, please discuss these with your doctor who will understand. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Is there a grabe period for a lapsed anti rabies vaccine?
Rabies vaccines are known to provide adequate immunity for at-least three years. In many dogs, the immunity is even longer and there will always be some amount of immunity if they have been vaccinated before. However, in countries like the Philippines where rabies is more prevalent, it's recommended to get a vaccine every year to ensure the immunity is high. I hope that helps to answer your question and all is well with Jewel.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
To license my dog in my area he has to have valid rabies vac TIL April2020. I adopted him 6 months ago. On Oct 2018 he was given a 1 year rabies vac, they couldn’t give 3 year as Didn’t know his history. I got a form for my vet to fill out but it say
So if I'm reading this right, you're trying to get a three year rabies booster now and your vet doesn't want to give one until October. For a normal healthy dog, doing the booster now wouldn't be a concern, even in the "worst case" scenario you outlined. You could ask your vet if there's something in particular about Brady that makes them want to wait. It's also possible that your particular vet has a policy of waiting until it's due to booster for some reason, which would be fine, but a problem for your particular situation. In that case, it would be reasonable to get a second opinion because you'll find most vets are ok doing the booster now.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What will happen if a dog got a rabies shot in the past three month and he will be getting vaccinated again this moment?
Unless your dog had an allergic reaction to a vaccine, there is not a concern with him getting another vaccination within a few months (or even weeks) of the rabies vaccine. If he had the rabies vaccine already, however, he should not need the rabies vaccine again for a year (the rabies vaccine, unlike the distemper vaccine, does not require additional boosters when dogs are puppies).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a dog and her rabies shot expired today, I told my brother many times to book an appointment but nothing is open today so she'll have to wait till this Saturday. Should I be worried or is there a place where I can take her fat to get her shot?
It's great that you're being conscientious about her vaccines!
From an immunologic perspective, nothing significant is changing in Lola's immune system between now and Saturday, so getting the booster done then will be fine.
From a legal perspective, the rabies vaccine expires exactly 1 year from the initial booster, so she will be considered "unvaccinated" for a couple days. I wouldn't be too worried about you boostering her a couple days late - but to be on the safe side, just limit her exposure to strangers or other dogs for those few days until she's vaccinated again, to avoid the rare chance of someone getting bitten and inquiring about her rabies status. Hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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