Texas Rabies Vaccination Laws for Dogs and Cats

Updated October 13, 2026 · 1 min read · 4 sources

Short answer

Texas requires every dog and cat to be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age by a licensed veterinarian (Health & Safety Code 826.021, 826.023), with boosters on the schedule set by state rule. Failing to vaccinate is a Class C misdemeanor. Only police service animals have an exemption.

Texas requires rabies vaccination by state law. Here is who must be vaccinated, when, and how the rules are enforced.

Texas rabies vaccine rules at a glance

Question Answer
Animals covered Dogs and cats
First vaccination By 4 months
Boosters Per Texas Department of State Health Services rules
Who can vaccinate Veterinarian (826.023)
Penalty Class C misdemeanor

What Texas law says

  • Health & Safety Code 826.021 requires vaccination of dogs and cats by 4 months.
  • Only a veterinarian may administer the vaccine (826.023).
  • Local rabies control programs can require registration and proof of vaccination (826.031).

How rabies boosters work

The first rabies vaccine is treated as good for one year, no matter which product is used. After the one-year booster, vaccines labeled for three years are generally accepted as protecting for three years, if state and local law allow it (Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control). Your rabies certificate shows the exact due date, and that date is what animal control and licensing offices go by. More detail: how long a rabies shot is good for.

Cats and other pets

Cats are covered by Texas law on the same schedule as dogs.

Rabies vaccination is also tied to licensing in many places; see Texas dog license requirements. Your local veterinarian or a low-cost vaccine clinic can give the shot and issue the certificate and tag.

Sources

  1. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: Texas dog laws
  2. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: Table of state rabies vaccination laws
  3. dvm360: New rabies recommendations for dogs and cats (Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control)
  4. AAHA: 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines, core and noncore vaccines

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This page summarizes state statutes for general information and is not legal advice. Laws change and cities and counties often add their own rules; check the current statute and your local ordinance, or ask a licensed attorney about your situation.

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