Which vaccines are considered essential for dogs and cats?

Essential vaccines for dogs generally include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza (DA2PP), leptospirosis and Bordetella. For cats, core vaccines typically include rabies, feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia. Additional vaccines may be recommended based on your pet's lifestyle, geographical location, and specific risk factors.