One vaccine covers both strains, so it is a single shot and booster, then an annual shot.
The schedule
Do not miss the booster. Records must show the vaccine current through the last day of the stay.
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| First dose | At least before the first day of the stay |
| Booster | 3 to 4 weeks after the first dose |
| Then | Yearly |
Planning back from your trip
If your dog has never had the flu vaccine, give your vet time. For a trip on April 20, a first dose in mid-March lets the booster fall inside the window. Boarding a dog on the first dose is accepted, but the second is still part of the plan.
The other vaccines
Dogs also need rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella. Cats do not need the dog flu vaccine; they need rabies and FVRCP. Read the full list on the vaccination requirements page.
Why the kennel asks
Dogs breathe the same air, so respiratory illness is the main health risk of boarding. Vaccines do not cover every illness, which is why the boarding agreement and vaccine page discuss kennel cough openly. See the canine influenza page for more.
What it costs the stay
The vaccine does not change your boarding rate. A three-night Economy stay is 3 x $52, or $156 on the 2026 rates, with or without a booster in progress. Book the vet visit first, then the kennel dates.