Vaccinations are the most effective way to protect pets from serious infectious diseases. In Finland, the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) publishes vaccination recommendations. Apart from a few legal requirements (see Rabies and Travel below), they are not binding — the veterinarian always makes an individual assessment. The recommendations draw on the international WSAVA guidelines (2024); for cats, the Finnish feline medicine society Catus has adapted them to Finnish conditions.
Core Vaccines for Dogs
The core vaccination for dogs protects against canine distemper (D), infectious hepatitis (H) and parvovirus (P). It is usually given as the combined DHPPi vaccine, which also covers parainfluenza (Pi), one of the causes of kennel cough. Ruokavirasto recommends rabies vaccination for all pet dogs, and by law it is compulsory for dogs used for hunting and for official service dogs. Because protection against parainfluenza is short-lived, we recommend a yearly kennel cough vaccination (parainfluenza + Bordetella) for all dogs. Leptospirosis vaccination is recommended for dogs travelling to areas where the disease is common (southern Europe, Asia, North Africa). Leptospirosis can also spread to people. In recent years, a few clinical cases have been diagnosed in dogs in Finland each year, including several dogs in southern Finland in 2024, so ask us whether your dog’s lifestyle calls for it. The first course is two doses 3–4 weeks apart, and protection develops about 3–4 weeks after the second dose, so start at least two months before a trip. After that, a booster is needed every year.
Core Vaccines for Cats
The triple vaccination (RCP) against feline panleukopenia (FPV), calicivirus (FCV) and herpesvirus (FHV-1) is recommended for all cats. The cat flu components do not prevent infection, but they make the illness less severe. Rabies vaccination is optional for cats in Finland, but mandatory if they travel abroad. We especially recommend it for outdoor cats and cats that may come into contact with bats. Feline leukaemia (FeLV) is not part of routine vaccination in Finland, as FeLV is almost non-existent here. The need is assessed case by case, for example for cats living with a FeLV-positive cat or travelling abroad; the cat is tested for FeLV before vaccination.
Vaccination Schedule for Puppies and Kittens
Puppies: DHPPi vaccination starts at 8 or 12 weeks and is repeated every 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age — a series started at 8 weeks also includes doses at 12 and 16 weeks. At 16 weeks: DHPPi and rabies. Booster at 1 year of age (DHPPi and rabies). Adult dogs: DHP and rabies every 3 years, parainfluenza every year together with the kennel cough vaccine.
Kittens: RCP vaccination starts at 8 or 12 weeks and is repeated every 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age — a series started at 8 weeks also includes doses at 12 and 16 weeks. At 16 weeks: RCP, plus rabies if desired. Booster at 1 year of age (RCP, and rabies if the kitten was vaccinated). Adult cats: RCP and rabies every 3 years.
Rabies in Finland
Finland has been officially rabies-free since 1991; the last domestic case in animals was in 1989. Since then, rabies has been found in only two imported animals (2003 and 2007), and related bat lyssaviruses have been found in bats (2009, 2016 and 2017). By law, dogs used for hunting and official service dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination, and the first dose must be given at least 21 days before the dog is used for hunting or service work. Rabies vaccination is also required when dogs, cats and ferrets enter Finland from abroad, including when they return from a trip. For other pets, it is not mandatory, but the Finnish Food Authority recommends it for all dogs and cats. The Finnish Kennel Club requires every dog present at shows, trials, competitions and other dog events to have valid rabies and distemper–parvovirus–hepatitis vaccinations. If a vaccination has lapsed, the dog must be revaccinated and may attend only after the vaccine’s waiting period (usually 21–30 days). The first rabies dose is given at about 4 months of age, a booster at one year, and then every 3 years (following the vaccine’s instructions).
Travelling with Your Pet
Basics (EU and Norway): For travel within the EU, you need a microchip (before the rabies vaccination), a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport. The first rabies vaccination can be given from 12 weeks of age and becomes valid 21 days after vaccination at the earliest (longer if the vaccine’s instructions say so); boosters given before the previous one expires are valid immediately.
Dogs: tapeworm treatment when returning to Finland. Dogs also need echinococcus treatment given by a vet abroad 1–5 days (24–120 hours) before arriving in Finland, and it must be recorded in the passport. This also applies when returning from Sweden, but not when coming directly from Norway, Ireland or Malta.
Frequent or short trips (the 28-day rule): For regular trips, or trips shorter than 24 hours (such as a day trip to Sweden), a vet, usually in Finland, gives two treatments before the trip, 24 hours to 28 days apart, and notes in the passport that the 28-day rule is used. After the second treatment the dog can travel in the EU and Norway for 28 days; if travel continues, a vet repeats the treatment at least every 28 days. Once you are back, a vet in Finland gives a final treatment within 28 days of the previous one. If the cycle is broken, it must be started again.
Outside the EU: Pets coming from countries outside the EU’s approved list (e.g. Turkey), and since September 2024 from Russia and Belarus, need a rabies antibody test at an EU-approved laboratory (blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination) and must wait at least 3 months after the blood sample before entering the EU. For pets living in Finland, the wait does not apply if a passing test was done and recorded in the passport before leaving the EU, and the rabies vaccination is kept valid without a gap. If the vaccination lapses, both the vaccination and the test must be redone. Pets from these countries must enter Finland through a designated point of entry (e.g. Helsinki-Vantaa airport; Vaasa is not one) and be declared to Customs.
Book an appointment for vaccinations and travel documents — we issue EU pet passports at our clinic.
Rules checked in September 2026 — always check the current requirements with Ruokavirasto before travelling.
Sources
- Squires R.A. ym. (2024): 2024 guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats – compiled by the Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Journal of Small Animal Practice 65(5):277–316. wsava.org
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