Cat and Kitten Vaccination Schedule: When to Get What Shots

Your new kitten is the best, and they deserve the best. But that doesn't only mean spoiling them with treats, toys and cuddles. You also want the best for their health, so they can live a long and happy life! Vaccinations are an integral part of that — kitten vaccinations are especially important to protect your baby kitty's fragile health from potentially fatal infectious diseases.¹

What Are Cat Vaccinations?

Vaccines expose your cat's immune system to a weakened or inactive form of an infectious microorganism. This primes their immune system to recognize and fight off any future exposures to the same microorganism.² With some diseases, this exposure prevents any future infections, while with others, vaccinations lessen the severity of the illness and speed your kitty's recovery.²

Vaccines currently come in three major types:

1. Inactivated (or killed vaccines)

This is the traditional type of vaccine, which uses organisms that are no longer alive and thus unable to make your kitty ill. Because non-living organisms don't promote as much of an immune response as living organisms, the inactive organism might be aided by an adjuvant — an ingredient that's been added to strengthen the immune response

2. Modified live vaccines

This type of vaccine contains a living organism that has either been weakened or genetically modified. It won't make your cat ill, but it will replicate itself to produce a stronger and longer-lasting immune response. While these vaccines are generally safe, it's not recommended to use them on pregnant cats or those with compromised immune systems.²

Recombinant-DNA vaccines

Also known as subunit vaccines, these vaccines only use certain parts of an organism's genetic material, rather than the entire organism, to produce an immune response.²

What Shots Do Kittens Need?

During their first few weeks of life, kittens are protected by temporary antibodies passed to them through their mother's milk.¹ But these antibodies wear off after kittens are weaned, and vaccinations are needed to provide longer-lasting immunity from infectious diseases.¹

Cat and kitten vaccinations are broken down into two categories:

• Core vaccinations
• Non-core vaccinations

Core vaccines protect against the most common diseases your kitten is likely to be exposed to throughout life. Non-core vaccines may be recommended by your vet based on your kitty's lifestyle and likelihood of exposure.¹

When you take your kitten to get vaccinated, they'll receive a vaccine combination in a single shot to protect them from multiple diseases.² Most cat vaccinations are delivered via injection, although some are given through nasal drops.²

Core cat and kitten vaccines

Here are the core shots your kitten will receive:

• Rabies. This is a fatal illness that can infect and pass between multiple species, including humans. Because it's both fatal and highly contagious, rabies vaccinations are required by law throughout the United States, although laws may vary from state to state on how frequently your adult cat will need booster shots.³
• FVRCP. This shot includes vaccines for a range of common illnesses, including feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus and feline panleukopenia, all of which are common viruses with a high likelihood of exposure for all cats and kittens.³

Non-core cat and kitten vaccines

Non-core shots include the following:

• Feline Leukemia (FeLV). While some veterinarians may include this vaccine in their core vaccine schedule for kittens, only kittens who are exposed to cats positive for feline leukemia virus are at risk for this disease.³ So if your kitten is allowed outdoors, is exposed to adult cats who are allowed outdoors or if there is another potential for exposure to a FeLV-positive cat, this vaccine is recommended. Feline leukemia is a fatal illness that can lead to other serious health conditions including anemia, immune suppression and cancer.⁴ So talk to your vet about the risk to your kitten and whether this shot is necessary for your kitten's lifestyle.
• Chlamydophila Felis (Chlamydia). This illness causes infected cats and kittens to develop conjunctivitis and respiratory problems. Felines who will spend time in a multi-cat environment with infected cats are at the highest risk.⁴
• Bordetella. A bacterial infection that is one of the causes of kennel cough, this highly contagious respiratory illness affects both dogs and cats much like the cold or flu.⁴

Kitten Vaccination Schedule

A typical kitten vaccination schedule is laid out below. Discuss with your vet your kitten's risk factors for non-core illnesses that aren't covered by the core vaccination schedule, and which, if any, non-core vaccines they should receive.

6-8 weeks of age:

• Core vaccines: FVRCP⁵
• Non-core vaccines: FeLV,⁵ chlamydia⁶

10-12 weeks of age:

• Core vaccines: FVRCP⁵
• Non-core vaccines: FeLV,⁵

14-16 weeks of age:

• Core vaccines: FVRCP, rabies⁵
• Non-core vaccines: FeLV⁵

Adult Cat Vaccinations

To maintain strong immunity throughout their adult life, your grown cat will need to receive booster shots at regular intervals for both core vaccinations and any non-core vaccinations for illnesses to which your kitty may be exposed (as determined by you and your vet).²

While veterinarians previously recommended annual boosters for all shots, the American Association of Feline Practitioners now recommends that adult cats who are low-risk for exposure receive their core vaccination boosters every three years, and non-core vaccinations as needed based on your cat's lifestyle.^2,7

Adult Cat Vaccination Schedule

Here's an at-a-glance vaccine schedule for adult cats, which may vary based on your kitty's lifestyle and risk of exposure:

One year after last kitten vaccination

• Core vaccines: Rabies, FVRCP³
• Non-core vaccines: FeLV, bordetella⁵

Every three years:

• Core vaccines: FVRCP, rabies⁵
• Non-core vaccines: FeLV, bordetella⁵

Keep in mind that, regardless of your cat's risk of exposure, laws in your state may require the rabies vaccination to be given annually.

Deworming for Cats and Kittens

It's extremely common for kittens to have intestinal parasites.¹ While your vet can examine your kitten's stool sample to verify whether your kitten has worms, many vets simply administer a broad-spectrum dewormer, administered orally, to kill a wide range of intestinal parasites that can cause severe illness.¹ Your vet may also recommend a broad-spectrum oral medication for parasite prevention that will prevent a re-infestation of intestinal parasites, as well as protect your kitten from heartworm and fleas.¹

Titer Testing for Cats

If you're concerned about over-vaccinating your cat, ask your vet about titer testing. A titer test checks your cat's blood for the presence of antibodies to a certain illness. This can tell your vet whether your cat still has a sufficient level of antibodies in their system to fight off a particular illness, which may make a booster shot unnecessary for the time being.⁸ Again, however, bear in mind that state laws require you to regularly vaccinate your cat for rabies regardless of the level of antibodies already present.

Cat Vaccination Side Effects

Vaccines for cat diseases carry a slight risk of adverse reactions, most of which are mild. These may include:⁴

• Swelling at the vaccination site
• Mild fever
• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite

Although it's uncommon, some cats may have an allergic reaction to a vaccine and experience mild-to-moderate symptoms that include itchiness, hives or red and swollen eyes, lips and neck.⁴ In very rare cases, they may have a severe reaction that includes the following:⁴

• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pale gums
• Weakness
• Collapse

It's important to report any sign of an allergic reaction to your vet immediately. Also, tell your vet if swelling at or near the vaccination site increases in size or lasts more than three weeks. Although it's rare, inflammation at the vaccination site can develop into a type of cancerous tumor known as feline injection site sarcoma.⁴ If this occurs, the tumor will need to be surgically removed, along with the surrounding tissue.⁴

Cost of Cat and Kitten Vaccinations

Here's what you can expect to pay when you take your kitten or adult cat to the vet for vaccinations:

• $20 to $50 per vaccine³
• $40 to $60 on average for a physical examination³

On your kitten's first visit, your vet might also want to test for feline leukemia and treat your kitten with dewormer as well as flea and heartworm medication, the prices of which can vary. Many veterinary clinics offer comprehensive kitten wellness packages that include everything your new kitten needs to get off to a healthy start. Prices vary from one vet to the next, so check with your local vets to see what packages they offer.

Despite both the costs and potential for adverse reactions, the drawbacks of cat vaccinations are far outweighed by the protection they provide, costing you far less in vet bills and helping your kitty stay healthy and happy.

CareCredit Financing for Cat and Kitten Vaccinations

You can use the CareCredit credit card to pay for cat and kitten vaccinations as well as wellness pet exams, medications, services and products at veterinary practices in the CareCredit network nationwide.* Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a nearby practice that accepts the CareCredit credit card.

Author Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a freelance writer and novelist with eight years of experience. Her work has appeared on Hill's Pet, Chewy and AKC.org, and more.

Medical Reviewer

Dr. Elizabeth Racine is a small animal general practice veterinarian and freelance writer. She covers both human and veterinary medicine with a special interest in nutrition, internal medicine, and veterinary behavior.