Puppy Vaccinations in Singapore: What You Actually Need

Why puppy vaccinations matter here

Singapore is a tropical, densely populated island, and although we've kept rabies out for decades, several other serious dog diseases circulate constantly — parvovirus is still diagnosed at every major vet clinic each month, and leptospirosis (spread through rat urine in monsoon drains) is a genuine risk in every neighbourhood. A properly vaccinated puppy is protected from all of them.

Every puppy for sale at Furgive You SG comes with an up-to-date vaccination card and an AVS-registered microchip. This guide explains what's already been done, what you still need to do, and roughly what it costs.

The core vaccination schedule

The standard schedule used by every reputable vet in Singapore is built around the DHPP combination vaccine, which protects against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Puppies receive DHPP at 6–8 weeks, 10–12 weeks and 14–16 weeks. The final dose is the important one — until that third shot has taken effect, puppies do not have full immunity and should not walk on public ground where unvaccinated dogs may have been.

Rabies vaccination is required by AVS for all dogs in Singapore and is given at around 16 weeks, then boosted every one to three years depending on the vaccine used. Even though Singapore is rabies-free, this is a legal requirement, not a suggestion.

Leptospirosis is usually added to the DHPP schedule (making it DHPPL) or given separately. Because our climate is wet year-round, we strongly recommend it for every Singapore puppy — annual boosters after the initial two-dose primary series.

Non-core but strongly recommended

Kennel cough (bordetella + parainfluenza) is a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads at daycares, groomers, boarding kennels and dog runs. If your puppy will ever meet another dog outside your home — and they should, for socialisation — we consider this vaccine essential rather than optional. It's given as a single intranasal dose from 8 weeks, then annually.

Canine influenza is newer and mostly relevant for dogs that fly internationally or attend large events; ask your vet whether your lifestyle warrants it.

Deworming and heartworm

Every puppy is born with intestinal worms — it's biology, not neglect. The standard protocol is deworming every two weeks from 2 to 12 weeks of age, then monthly until six months, then every three months for life. Our puppies have been dewormed on schedule up to the day they leave us, and we'll tell you the exact date of the last dose.

Heartworm prevention starts at 8 weeks and continues monthly for life. It is not optional in Singapore — mosquitoes carry heartworm year-round, and treatment for an infected adult dog is expensive, painful, and sometimes fatal. Popular options include Nexgard Spectra, Heartgard Plus and Simparica Trio.

Microchipping and AVS licence

Every dog in Singapore must be microchipped and licensed with AVS. Our puppies are already microchipped and the chip number is registered — but the licence must be transferred into your name within two weeks of collection. It's a simple online process at avs.gov.sg and costs $15 per year for a sterilised dog, $90 for an unsterilised dog. HDB flat owners must also register a separate HDB dog licence.

What it typically costs

As a rough guide, expect to budget around $80–$150 per DHPP booster, $60–$100 for rabies, $50–$90 for kennel cough, and $30–$60 per month for combined heartworm/flea/tick prevention. A full first year of preventive healthcare for a small breed puppy usually falls between $1,200 and $1,800, on top of food and grooming. Larger breeds cost more because doses are weight-based.

Common mistakes to avoid

Skipping the third DHPP because 'she seems fine' — parvovirus is a slow, dehydrating, often fatal illness that we still see every month in Singapore. Please don't. Also avoid over-vaccinating: annual DHPP boosters are no longer considered necessary by most veterinary bodies — a titre test every three years is enough for most adult dogs. And never buy a puppy whose seller can't produce a signed, dated vaccination record. It's the single easiest way to spot a backyard breeder.

Your first vet visit with a Furgive You puppy

We recommend booking your own vet visit within 48 hours of collection — this is what our 48-hour health guarantee exists for. Bring the vaccination card, the microchip document and the AVS import permit (all included in the folder we give you). Your vet will do a physical exam, confirm the microchip, weigh your puppy and set up the next vaccination in the schedule. It's the smoothest possible start to a lifetime of good care.

Titre testing and long-term boosters

Once your puppy has completed the primary DHPP series and their first annual booster, most Singapore vets now offer titre testing — a simple blood test that measures how much protective antibody your dog still has in circulation. Titre testing every three years is widely considered better medicine than blanket annual boosters, because it avoids over-vaccinating adult dogs whose immunity is still strong. Leptospirosis, kennel cough and rabies are the exceptions — those still need to be boosted on schedule because their immunity fades faster.

If your puppy will travel out of Singapore later in life — for example on a pet relocation to Malaysia, Australia or the UK — plan the rabies booster carefully. Most destination countries require a rabies antibody titre test taken at least 30 days after vaccination and often several months before departure. Speak to your vet at least six months before any planned move.

How to store and share your puppy's health record

Take a clear photo of every vaccination card, deworming schedule, microchip document and AVS licence on the day you collect your puppy, and save them in a dedicated folder in your phone's cloud storage. When you visit a new vet, a groomer, a daycare or a boarding kennel, you'll be asked for one of these documents at least half the time, and having them ready on your phone saves calls back and forth.

Also add a note in your phone with your puppy's microchip number and AVS licence number. If your puppy ever escapes at the void deck or on a walk, being able to read those numbers to the AVS hotline within minutes dramatically improves the chances of a fast, happy reunion.