Kitten Vaccination Schedule: A Guide For New Cat Owners
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM.
Congratulations on your new kitten! All of the snuggles, playtime, and endless joys of having a feline friend in your life are finally here.
As you cross off items on your new kitten checklist, one of the most important things you can do for your new family member is to take them to the veterinarian for their kitten examinations and vaccinations.
Vaccinations are essential for protecting your kitten from certain illnesses and preventing the spread of disease. In this article, well walk you through kitten vaccine basics, tell you what to expect at your first check-up, and give you a sample cat vaccination schedule to follow.
Your Cat Is Overdue For A Booster Vaccination
The vaccines are safe to give your cat as old as nine months. If a dog or cat had only received one dose of core vaccines three years ago, they should be reimmunized. It is recommended that all core vaccines, including the rabies vaccine, be administered with this recommendation regardless of manufacturer. Depending on their individual circumstances and health, cats may or may not need to be vaccinated. Some vaccine manufacturers have developed vaccines that can be used for three years or more. Booster shots for cats more than three years old are recommended.
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A calm, supporting environment can help your cat feel safe, happy and healthy. Using a FELIWAY OPTIMUM Diffuser in the rooms where your cat spends the most time can help to support them, by releasing calming messages that reduce kitty stress and prevent signs of discomfort such as spraying, scratching or hiding.
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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.
Should I Take My Kitten To The Vet For Felv
When you take your kitten in for vaccinations, ask your vet to test for feline leukemia . This dangerous virus is contagious and can spread from cat to cat. Theres a vaccine for feline leukemia but even after your young kitty is protected, its best not to expose them to cats that have not been tested for the virus.
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If My Cat Lives Indoors Does It Need To Have Vaccinations
Yes, there are a few severe illnesses that cats can get, even if they spend their lives inside. The core vaccines are essential to all cats, regardless of their lifestyles. We are here to give you all the information you need to help you to protect the health of your indoor cat and extend their life.
Recovery Time For Spay And Neuter Procedures
After you bring your cat home youll likely want to make sure its as comfortable as possible while it recovers. Humlie recommends keeping your cat separate from other house pets, if possible, and offering your cat a quiet room to relax. Corbett notes that jumping could be painful, and suggests lifting your cat instead of, for example, letting it jump up onto the bed.
Youll need to keep an eye on your cats incision and make sure its not being bothered with . Corbett recommends examining the surgical area before even taking your cat home from the vet so you can get an idea of what it looks like and youll notice if the area gets swollen or looks worse, which could mean its not healing properly or has become infected.
Recovery time depends on a few things, like age and general health, so itll be different for each cat. Corbett says the anesthesia will stay in your cats system for 12-48 hours, which could affect energy level and appetite, and the healing of the actual incision itself takes one to two weeks, depending on the type of stitches used.
One of the most difficult parts of the recovery period might be convincing cats to rest when they think theyre already fine.
Most importantly, you should follow your veterinarians instructions for post-operative care, Kruck says.
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How Much Does The Fvrcp Cat Vaccine Cost
There are quite a few different brands of FVRCP vaccine for cats on the market, so the cost charged by your veterinarian will largely depend on the brand they have chosen to use. Typically, the FVRCP vaccine will cost 30-60 dollars.
Your veterinarians office can clarify how much the vaccine will cost and whether your veterinarian is currently using an adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted vaccine. Adjuvants are added to the vaccine to help stimulate the immune system. As a rule, for cats, non-adjuvanted vaccines are preferred, but they will be more expensive.
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What Vaccines Do Indoor Cats Need
All cats, whether they live indoors exclusively or go outside, need the core vaccines, which are panleukopenia , feline herpesvirus , calicivirus and rabies. In addition to these shots, the FeLV vaccine is recommended for all cats less than a year old. Your veterinarian may also recommend certain non-core vaccines for your indoor cat depending on her health history and the health of any other pets living in the household.
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How Much Does A Vaccine For A Cat Cost
The price for vaccines varies, depending on where you live and where you choose to get your cat vaccinated. At your veterinary hospital, you might pay anywhere from $15 to $28 per vaccine. If you combine your cats vaccines with her yearly physical exam, the cost is higher since you are paying the exam fee as well .
You can save some money by taking your cat to a low-cost vaccine clinic, which might be offered by your veterinarian, a humane society in your town, or your local government. Vaccines at these shot clinics may be as low as $10 per vaccine, with no exam fee. However, its always a good idea to have your cat examined by a veterinarian before she gets vaccines because its not safe to give vaccines to a cat that is running a fever or otherwise sick.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Vaccines
There are many risk variables that we take into consideration before vaccinating, including overall health, immunodeficiency, immunosuppressive therapy, and nutritional status. With any vaccine, there is a rare possibility of allergic reaction. This happens very quickly after vaccination and may cause loss of appetite, pain at the site of injection, lethargy, vomiting, and fever. There is also the rare possibility of developing a feline injection site sarcoma. This is a malignant tumour linked to vaccine injection, especially if given higher up on the body.
There are many risk variables that we take into consideration before vaccinating, including overall health, immunodeficiency, immunosuppressive therapy, and nutritional status. With any vaccine, there is a rare possibility of allergic reaction. This happens very quickly after vaccination and may cause loss of appetite, pain at the site of injection, lethargy, vomiting, and fever. There is also the rare possibility of developing a feline injection site sarcoma. This is a malignant tumour linked to vaccine injection, especially if given higher up on the body.
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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 .
When My Kitten Has Grown Into An Adult Cat Do They Still Need To Be Vaccinated
Yes. When it comes to feline friends, vaccinations are an ongoing part of their life. That being said, they will need less frequent injections in their adult years compared to getting shots every few weeks when they are kittens. Below is a typical vaccination schedule for an adult cat:
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Vaccines Your Kitten Should Have
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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.
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.
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Frequency Of Core Vaccinations
Kittens under 6 months of age are most susceptible to infectious diseases, so they are considered a primary focus of vaccination recommendations.
Maternal antibodies passed on from the mother are meant to confer some degree of protection against diseases, but they also interfere with, or even inactivate, the bodys response to vaccination.
For this reason, initial core kitten vaccinations occur at three- to four-week intervals until the cat is 16-20 weeks old and maternal antibodies are out of the system.
For any cat over 16 weeks old whose vaccine history is unknown, the initial series consists of two doses given three to four weeks apart.
Core vaccines should be boosted one year after the initial series.
The scientific community is still learning exactly how long these vaccines last. Currently, the recommendation for indoor/outdoor cats is to administer the FVRCP vaccine annually.
For indoor-only cats, the recommendation is to administer the vaccine every three years. Cats heading into stressful situations, such as boarding, may benefit from a core vaccine booster 7-10 days before.
Core Vaccinations What Basic Vaccines Kittens Need
Core vaccines are a kittens first vaccinations that protect against the most common and fatal diseases for cats and are recommended by all veterinarians.
Feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia are what shots kittens need to get a healthy jump on life. Theyre often combined into one vaccine that can be administered as early as 6 weeks of age, with booster shots administered every 3-4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age. To avoid over vaccinating, most vets recommend starting this vaccine at 8 weeks of age, with boosters at 12 and 16 weeks.
Feline Rhinotracheitis
- Feline Rhinotracheitis is triggered by the common feline herpes virus. It can cause sneezing, runny nose, drooling, crusty eyes, lethargy, and weight loss. If left untreated, it can lead to dehydration, starvation, and eventually death.
Feline Calicivirus
- Calicivirus affects the respiratory system and may cause ulcers in the mouth. When it progresses, it can result in pneumonia. Young kittens and senior cats are most at risk.
Feline Panleukopenia
- Panleukopenia, or distemper, is spread from cat to cat and is so common that almost all cats will be exposed to it at some point in their life. Once a cat contracts this disease, they can die within 12 hours. Symptoms include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and fever.
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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.
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.
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When Should My Kitten Be Vaccinated
Vaccinations are important for your young kitten. Some infectious diseases are fatal, and vaccinations can protect your kitten from many of these diseases. In order to be effective, immunizations must be given as a series of injections at prescribed intervals, so it is essential that you are on time for your kittens scheduled vaccinations. Immunizations are started at 6-8 weeks of age and are repeated every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is 4 months old.
The routine or core vaccinations will protect your kitten from the most common diseases: feline distemper , feline viral rhinotracheitis , calicivirus, and rabies. The first three are included in a combination vaccine given every three to four weeks until the kitten reaches 16 weeks of age. Rabies vaccine is usually given once at 12-16 weeks of age.
“Your veterinarian will assess your kittens lifestyle and discuss these vaccinations with you to help you decide what is best for your cat.”
Non-core vaccines are not administered to every kitten, but are recommended in certain areas for cats with certain lifestyles. Cats that live outdoors are at more risk for infectious disease and often need these additional vaccines. One non- core vaccine for chlamydophila may be given if this disease is common in your area. Feline leukemia vaccine is recommended for all kittens that are exposed to outdoor cats, so if your kitten goes outside or lives with another cat that goes in and out, feline leukemia vaccine may be added to the regimen.
Are There Any Side Effects I Should Watch For After Cat Vaccination
Most cats show no ill side effect from receiving a cat vaccine. If your cat does have a reaction, they are usually minor and short-lived. However, you should still be on the lookout for the following symptoms that might indicate negative side effects from a cat vaccine:
- Swelling and redness around the injection site
If you suspect your cat is experiencing any ill side effects from his or her cat vaccine, call us immediately so we can help you to determine whether any special care is needed.
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What Diseases Can Vaccinations Protect Against
Cats are commonly vaccinated against:
- Feline infectious enteritis
- Feline leukaemia virus
Your vet can advise which vaccinations your cat or kitten will need to help protect them from infectious diseases. When you get your kitten, one of the first things you should do is register them with a local vet, who will be able to carry out the vaccinations your kitten needs.
Are There Risks Associated With Cat Vaccinations
Cat vaccinations stimulate your kitten or cats immune system in order to create protection from specific infectious diseases. This can cause mild symptoms to occur ranging from soreness at the injection site to fever and allergic reactions. Cat vaccinations can cause other risks like injection site tumors and immune disease, however such incidences are extremely rare and are usually linked to pre-existing genetic and medical conditions. Because of the potential for injection site reactions, we give each vaccine in a specific location that is noted in the cats medical record.
The fact is, the rewards of cat vaccinations far outweigh any risks. Cat vaccines have saved countless lives and play a vital role in the battle against feline infectious disease. As with any medical procedure, there is a small chance of negative side effects. In most cases, the risks are much smaller than the risks of disease itself.
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Core Vaccines For Cats
Core vaccines are vaccines that all cats should get.
The basic core starts with vaccination for calicivirus , herpes virus and panleukopenia , Dr. Eldredge told The Dodo. Feline leukemia and rabies are also considered to be core vaccines for most cats.
Herpes virus , calicivirus and panleukopenia are all covered in one combination vaccine called the FVRCP vaccine, while the vaccines for feline leukemia and rabies are administered individually.
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Can I Trim My Kitten’s Toenails
Kittens have very sharp toenails that can wreak havoc on cat owners and their furniture. You can trim your kittens nails with your regular fingernail clippers or with nail trimmers specifically designed for cats, but you must do so carefully. If you take too much off the nail, you will cut into the quick which will result in bleeding and pain.
Here are a few helpful pointers:
- Cats often have clear or white nails, so you can see the pink quick through the nail. This is a small pink triangle visible near the base of the nail. If you avoid this pink area, you should be safely away from the quick.
- When cutting toenails, use sharp trimmers. Dull trimmers tend to pinch or crush the nail and cause pain even if you are not in the quick. A good set of human nail trimmers are often sufficient. Many larger clippers meant for dogs do not trim cats nails well and can cause splintering of the nails.
- Have styptic powder on hand in case bleeding occurs. These products can be purchased from pet stores or your veterinarian. In an emergency, a bar of soap can be used to help stop the bleeding.
- Playing with your kittens feet and rewarding her with treats after nail trims is a good way to help encourage good behavior for future nail trims.
If you are unsure about trimming your kittens nails, ask your veterinary healthcare professionals for help. They can teach you how to make the procedure easy and painless for you and your kitten.
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