Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeEditor PicksHow Many Vaccinations Do Kittens Need

How Many Vaccinations Do Kittens Need

When Should Kittens Be Vaccinated

5 Kittens Get Their Vaccines | Incredible Dr. Pol

Your kitten will need two sets of vaccinations to get them started – their first set at nine weeks old and a second booster set at three months old. After this, kittens and cats usually need ‘booster’ vaccinations once a year.

Until your kitten is fully vaccinated , you should keep him or her inside.

When Can Kittens Go Outside After Vaccinations

You should keep your kitten inside until theyve had their second vaccination at 13-14 weeks due to the possibility of infection, and diseases such as cat flu or enteritis . Ideally, you should wait at least a week until after their second jab. You can them supervise them to let them explore outside. Find out more about keeping your cat in the outside.

Vaccines Your Kitten Should Have

tags

Adopting a new kitten means going through many milestones together, including bringing your cat home for the first time, litter training her and introducing her to other animals to name a few. Other important first steps will take place in your veterinarian’s office. From vaccinations to spaying and neutering, being a new pet parent comes with new responsibilities.

To help you prepare, here’s a list of the most common kitten vaccinations vets recommend and why they’re important for your new family member. Educate yourself first, and then work with your vet to create a vaccine schedule right for your family.

Also Check: Best Food For Senior Cats

Can I Deworm My Kitten Myself

All kittens should be treated for common parasites such as roundworms and hookworms at 2, 4, and 6 weeks of age. This can be done at a veterinarian, or at home. To deworm a kitten at home, you’ll need a digital scale, a 1cc syringe, and a bottle of oral dewormer which can be purchased online or at a pet supply store.

How Often Should We Vaccinate Cats

Cat Vaccinations: 8 Things to Consider

When asking What vaccines do cats needHow often do cats need shots is a question some cat owners have, who insist were over-vaccinating.

When it comes to duration of immunity, the Guidelines are pretty solid, as we have some pretty solid studies Dr. Nordone says.

However, sometimes there are no owners those are the cats who land at animal shelters. Dr. Julie Levy, professor of shelter medicine at the Maddies Shelter Medicine Program, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, also served on the AAFP Panel. Its rewarding that the unique needs of shelters are reflected in the Vaccine Guidelines, she says. More cats are surviving shelters, and their health and welfare is an investment worth making. We know that cats will be saved when we vaccinate immediately. Cats are particularly prone to stress and illness in a shelter environment. Dr. Scherk adds, Regarding feline leukemia, testing cats prior to vaccination is essential to ensure negative status. Inadvertent use of FeLV vaccine in a cat infected with FeLV is not harmful, but it is also of no benefit.

The AAFP Advisory Panel recommends administering FeLV vaccines to all kittens but considers the vaccine to be noncore for cats after their one-year booster unless they are at risk of exposure because they have access to outdoors, live with known FeLV-infected cats or live in a multiple-cat environment where the status of all cats coming and going may not be known.

Don’t Miss: How To Train An Outdoor Cat To Stay Home

What Vaccines Do Cats Need Are We Under

When researching this article, I did not speak to experts with all possible perspectives, of which there are many on the topic of vaccines, or I could have authored a book. I spoke with leaders with undeniable expertise, many who helped craft the American Association of Feline Practitioners Guidelines for Vaccines.

Love or hate vaccines, its a fact: Vaccination plays an important role in the control of infectious diseases, both for an individual as well as for the cat population at large . Every several years, feline experts come together to update the AAFP vaccine guidelines. The most recent panel, in 2013, was chaired by Dr. Margie Scherk, editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

After reviewing literature regarding feline vaccines, Dr. Scherk comes down with a vastly different conclusion compared with what some cat caretakers contend. She says, Were not over-vaccinating were actually under-vaccinating cats.

Her explanation is that, for starters, too many cats never see a veterinarian until that individual cat is clearly very ill. Obviously, if the cat isnt seeing a veterinarian, the cat isnt getting vaccinated. Also, concerns of some cat caretakers is a roadblock: about the need for specific vaccines, that their own cat is being vaccinated too often, concerns about injection site sarcoma and, in some instances, the vaccine cost.

What Is The Fvrcp Vaccine And What Are The Core Vaccines For Cats

The FVRCP vaccine for cats is considered a core vaccine that protects against Feline Viral rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia. These viral diseases make up this core cat vaccine. Our clinic believes that all domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies because this disease is fatal and transmissible to humans. We therefore consider the rabies vaccine a core cat vaccine.

Don’t Miss: Why Does My Cats Eyes Water

Kitten Vaccination Schedule And Costs

Kittens are most susceptible to infectious diseases when they are under 6 months of age. Thats why its so important to give your kitten the protection they need with the right vaccinations.

Mother cats pass maternal antibodies through their milk during nursing. These antibodies do offer some degree of protection against diseases, but they also interfere with, or even inactivate, the bodys response to vaccination.

For this reason, core kitten vaccinations start at 6-8 weeks of age and are boosted every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is 16-20 weeks old. Core vaccines should be boosted one year after the initial series.

How Often Does My Cat Need To Be Vaccinated

What Vaccines do Dogs and Cats Need

Vaccination schedules will depend on your cats lifestyle and age. Ideally, kittens wont yet have been exposed to diseases. This means they will need a series of injections known as a primary course to build up their immunity. Once your kitten has had their first round of vaccinations, your local Greencross Vets will help you to decide the best long-term vaccination program to keep your furry feline in top health.

Don’t Miss: Fresh Pet Cat Food Review

Can You Recommend Something For Pet Identification

All cats should have identification. Even strictly-indoor cats have been known to escape the confines of their safe homes and become lost. Cats often do not tolerate collars well, so ID tags are not the best option for pet identification. The best way to identify your cat is to have your veterinarian insert a microchip under the skin. A microchip, pictured to the right with pennies for scale, is a tiny device that is implanted with a needle much like any other injection. The microchip contains a unique number that you register with a database along with your contact information.

Veterinary hospitals, Humane Societies, and animal shelters have electronic scanners that detect the presence of a microchip and access your cat’s unique identification. Microchips and data registry assist the reunion of cats with their families throughout the United States and Canada. For more details, see handout Microchipping Your Cat.

Adding a kitten to your family is a lot of fun. Remember that kittens are very energetic, so be prepared to build play routines into your daily routine. Discourage play that encourages your kitten to play with your hands directly and offer kitten safe, stimulating toys. Providing your kitten with the health care she needs will set her up for a long, healthy, happy life.

What Shots Do Kittens Need And When

Kittens need vaccination to stay healthy once they no longer have their mothers immunity to protect them against infectious diseases. Generally, there are two types of kitten shots:

  • Core vaccines are essential shots required for all kittens and mature cats to defend against prevalent and/or harmful diseases.
  • Non-core vaccines aren’t always necessary for all pet cats. Vets recommend these specific immunizations for cats at greater risk of illness. Non-core vaccines require an assessment of your cat’s lifestyle and location to determine the present level of risk for infection.

Don’t Miss: Why Do Cats Have White Paws

Cat Vaccinations Are Required By Many States

In addition to helping to protect your cat from diseases, theres a second important reason to give your indoor cat vaccinations: Its the law. Many states require that pet owners give their pets certain vaccinations, like the rabies vaccine. These vaccines can help to prevent these preventable yet deadly diseases from spreading, especially if your cat ever escapes from the house.

What Vaccines Should My Cat Get

Ponderosa Veterinarian Clinic

Most vets will highly recommend the FVRCP and rabies vaccines. These diseases are highly infectious and seen worldwide. They are very dangerous to young cats, and the vaccines are considered to provide a good deal of protection with minimal risk.

The FeLV vaccine is tricky because it is required for kittens but optional for cats that are at least a year old.

Recommended Reading: Flea Tick And Worm Treatment For Cats

Cat Vaccination Guidelines And Standards

The Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel regularly evaluates and researches cat vaccination developments to make science-based recommendations. The panel comprises dedicated feline veterinarians and scientists and is regarded as a reputable source of cat vaccination standards.

Their guidelines, published by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, are among the most trusted and utilized recommendations in the field.

They divide cat vaccines into two categories:

  • Noncore / lifestyle vaccines

Core vaccines are those recommended for all cats, no matter where they live or under what conditions. Vaccines that are appropriate for some cats in some circumstances are considered noncore vaccines .

Why Should I Get My Cat Vaccinated

Vaccinations are vital in keeping your cat happy and healthy. They will help to prevent them from getting very unwell and even dying from certain diseases. Its even more important to make sure kittens get vaccinated.

There are lots of reasons to get your cat vaccinated, such as:

  • protecting them against deadly diseases
  • helping to prevent the spread of certain diseases among other felines
  • protecting vulnerable cats from becoming seriously ill
  • most insurers will require you to vaccinate your cat for your insurance to be valid
  • if you use a cattery for holiday care, they will often require you to vaccinate your cat

Read Also: What Is A Serval Cat

Are There Any Possible Side Effects

Just like vaccines or medical treatment in humans, there is a low risk of side effects following feline vaccination. After having a vaccine your kitty may have possible side effects including:

  • Mild reactions are most common, which includes a low-grade fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, and slight swelling at the injection site. Usually, the cat requires no treatment, and the signs pass within 1-2 days.
  • In very rare cases cats can have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. In mild cases, which are much more common, the cat may develop hives, itchiness, swelling of the eyes and lips, and a mild fever. A more severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis is very rare but may cause problems breathing, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and collapse. Allergic reactions need immediate veterinary attention and may require treatment with an antihistamine, stereoscopic or adrenaline.
  • There is a link between cat vaccines and a cancer called feline injection-site sarcoma. These tumours are rare, with an estimated occurrence in cats of 0.01% to 0.1%. However, because of the risk cats are often given their vaccines at specific locations that are recorded in their medical record.

Talk to your vet about the risks associated with vaccines. However, it is generally considered that the benefits of vaccination are much greater than the potential risks or side effects of the vaccines.

Can Cats Share A Litter Box

New Kitten? 10 things you NEED to know!

A. Although many cats will happily share a litterbox, it’s not at all uncommon for cats who otherwise get along to draw the line at sharing a potty. While the problem doesn’t always involve hisses and attacks, it usually does involve the use of alternative bathroom facilities that the cat owners rarely like.

Also Check: Sheba Perfect Portions Cat Food

What Kind Of Food Is Best For Kittens

PetsRadar’s pick of the best kitten food

  • Best overall kitten food: Royal Canin Kitten.
  • Best budget kitten food: IAMS Proactive Health.
  • Best kitten food for sensitive stomachs: Hill’s Science Diet Kitten.
  • Best raw kitten food: Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Kitten.
  • Best gourmet kitten food: Applaws Tuna Wet Kitten Food.

How Kitten Vaccinations Work

Kittens receive a series of vaccines over an 8- to 12-week period beginning at between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Some vaccines might be given together in one injection that is called a combination vaccine. At your kitten’s first veterinary exam, your vet will discuss a vaccination schedule as well as other treatments, such as deworming and beginning parasite prevention.

The vaccine injection itself is typically not very painful. Your kitten may feel a little pinch or sting, but many do not react at all.

At the first vaccine visit, your veterinarian will do an examination before vaccinating your kitten. Vaccines should never be given to a kitten with a fever or illness as the vaccine will not be effective. Giving a vaccine to a sick kitten can actually make her feel worse.

After a vaccine is administered, immunity is not immediate. It takes about seven to 10 days after the second vaccination to become effective. However, kittens with remaining maternal antibodies for that disease will not be affected by the vaccine. There is no way to be certain if a kitten still has maternal antibodies, so boosters are necessary. True immunity is uncertain until about 16 to 18 weeks of age, or until all kitten boosters are completed. Avoid exposing your kitten to unknown animals until all vaccinations have been given.

Don’t Miss: Is Purina Kitten Chow Good

Why Do Indoor Cats Need Vaccinations

If your cat lives exclusively indoors, they will still need to be vaccinated against cat flu and panleukopenia, but may not need the FeLV vaccine. This is because FeLV only usually spreads between cats in close and regular contact, but cat flu and panleukopaenia are very infectious and can spread on clothes, shoes, and other surfaces. If you have an indoor cat, discuss their vaccinations with your vet to find the best schedule for them.

Why Should I Have My Male Cat Neutered

Walnut Street Veterinary Hospital

Neutering or castration refers to the complete removal of the testicles in a male cat, and like spaying, offers health advantages:

  • Unneutered males are involved in more cat fights than their neutered friends.
  • Some male cats go through a significant personality change when they mature, becoming possessive of their territory and marking it with their urine to ward off other cats. Intruding cats that disregard the urine warning may be met with aggression.
  • The urine of an unneutered male cat has a very strong odor that is difficult to remove from your house if he marks his territory. Unneutered males will spray inside the house and will have litter box issues.
  • Fighting increases the risk of infectious diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia.
  • Unneutered males may be less friendly toward their human family members too.

Male cats are usually neutered between 4-6 months of age under general anesthesia. Unless there are complications such as undescended testicles , the cat may go home the same day . Cats with undescended testicles should be neutered too. The testicles still produce testosterone and these cats still act like unneutered males. These cats are at a high risk for developing cancer later in life.

You May Like: How To Lower Sdma In Cats

What Do You Need To Do After The Cat Vaccination

Thankfully, the majority of them will not show side effects after having a vaccine. There are a few things you can do to help your cat after his vaccination.

  • Keep your cat happy and calm
  • Continue with his normal routine
  • Dont change his diet in the first week after the vaccine, they might show loss of appetite
  • Monitor him or her closely for any abnormal signs or changes in behaviour
  • Monitor the site of injection for any abnormal swellings or lumps
  • Go to your vet clinic if you think your cat is having any side effects from the vaccine

Kitten Vaccinations: What Shots Your Kitten Needs

Between six and eight weeks of age, your kitten should see the veterinarian to begin a series of kitten vaccinations.

If youre asking, What vaccines do kittens need?, you can expect them to receive vaccines for rabies, and several rounds of vaccines for upper respiratory infections and distemper. If any cats in your home spend time outdoors or with other cats, you should also consider getting them vaccinated against the feline leukemia virus.

Recommended Reading: Bringing Home An 8 Week Old Kitten

Kitten Vaccines Or Primary Course

  • If your cat/kitten has never had a vaccine before, they will need *two injections 3-4 weeks apart this is usually at 9 and 12 weeks old.
  • They will be fully protected 3-4 weeks after their final injection.
  • Protection lasts 1 year, after which theyll need a booster.

*Some kittens need a third injection at 15 weeks.

Frequency Of Vaccinations For Adult Cats And Boarding Facility Requirements

Pet Advice: Vaccinating Puppies and Kittens

The frequency of feline booster vaccinations varies from 1-3 years depending on the vaccine, the disease, and the risk of disease exposure to the individual cat. In general, it is recommended by expert panels on feline vaccination that cats who stay at a boarding cattery require an annual vaccination schedule as this can be a higher risk situation than a normal home environment . This is because boarding may be stressful for a cat and stress has immunosuppressive effects which may result in increased susceptibility to infection and disease and additionally there can be a higher risk of exposure to infectious disease.

For these reasons, it is still recommended that a cat should have a vaccination within 12 months of entering a boarding facility, and why almost all cat boarding facilities require cats to have received a vaccination booster within 12 months prior to admission to the facility.

It is best to speak to your vet about your cats individual needs. Your veterinarian will always do a health check before administering a vaccination to ensure your kitten or cat is healthy to be vaccinated. In addition, this provides an excellent opportunity for your veterinarian to fully examine your cat and discuss any health issues. This allows any health concerns that your cat may have to be addressed as early as possible, giving your cat the best chance possible to be healthy and comfortable.

Recommended Reading: How Much Raw Food To Feed My Cat

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular