One of the first things to consider when welcoming a new feline friend is their wellness care, including their kitten vaccine schedule. Vaccination is essential for your kitten as it helps protect them from serious infectious diseases.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kitten vaccinations are vital for safeguarding your cat from serious diseases during their early months.
  • Consult your veterinarian for a customized vaccination schedule tailored to your kitten's needs.

Curious about what a vaccine regimen for kittens looks like? Let's explore the ideal vaccination timeline and the importance, costs, and side effects.

Why Vaccinate Your Kitten?

A kitten receives immunity from their mother through milk. However, this maternal immunity declines over time, so they need vaccinations. If you vaccinate too early, the protective antibodies in the milk will interfere with the vaccine. If you vaccinate too late, there is a higher risk that they will have been exposed to an infection without any defenses.

Kittens are most vulnerable to diseases when they are under six months old. That's why it's important to have a strategic immunization schedule to ensure they are properly protected.

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How Kitten Vaccinations Work

You may not know when kittens get their first shots as a pet parent. The first shot should be given at six to eight weeks of age. During the veterinary visit, some vaccines will be given together in one injection. This is known as a combination vaccine.

When it comes to timing, it's vital to follow the vaccine schedule established  by your veterinarian; getting the right vaccine at the right time can help prevent disease.

Related reading: First Vet Visits for Kittens

Core Kitten Vaccines

Kitten vaccinations fall into two categories: core and non-core. Core vaccines are strongly recommended for all cats, regardless of the region they live in or their lifestyle. For cats, these include:

Rabies Vaccine

Rabies is one of the deadly viral diseases in cats and is commonly spread through bite wounds. Symptoms of the disease are aggression, drooling, nervousness, and dilated pupils. Typically, it is administered between 12 and 16 weeks.

FVRCP Vaccine

This combination vaccine protects against feline panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline calicivirus in a single shot. It is generally started at 6-8 weeks of age and then repeated every 3-4 weeks until at or after 16 weeks.

  • Feline Panleukopenia (FPV): Feline panleukopenia virus, also known as feline distemper, affects cats' immune, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems.
  • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR): Also known as feline herpesvirus type 1, FVR causes the majority of upper respiratory infections. 
  • Feline Calicivirus (FCV): Feline calicivirus spreads through direct contact with the saliva, nasal mucus and eye discharge of infected cats and through aerosol droplets. 

Non-Core Kitten Vaccines

Non-core vaccines refer to immunizations that are not necessary for all cats. Your veterinarian will recommend specific ones depending on your location and your cat's lifestyle. Non-core vaccines include:

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Vaccine

Feline leukemia virus is spread through feces, nasal discharge, and saliva. Symptoms include anemia, immune suppression, and lymphoma. This vaccine is highly recommended for all kittens.

Booster vaccines are recommended  for cats with outdoor access, cats in open multiple-cat environments, cats housed with FeLV-infected cats, and cats living with cats of unknown FeLV infection status or where introduction of new cats is common.

Booster inoculation is not generally recommended for cats housed exclusively indoors.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Vaccine

Feline immunodeficiency virus destroys a cat's immune system and leads to chronic or recurrent infections of the skin and eyes as well as the urinary and respiratory tracts.

Other symptoms include severe dental disease, weight loss, behavioral changes, and neurological disorders.

The administration of the FIV  vaccine should be restricted to cats at high risk of infection, such as outdoor fighting cats and FIV-uninfected cats living with FIV-infected cats.

Other Non-Core Vaccines

Other non-core kitten vaccines include Chlamydophila felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Your veterinarian will provide guidance on which vaccines are appropriate for your cat based on its unique circumstances.

Kitten Vaccination Schedule

Your veterinarian can develop a customized plan tailored to your individual cat's needs. Depending on your cat's lifestyle, the vaccination schedule could look like this:

Kitten's Age (Weeks) Recommended Vaccines
6-8 weeks FVRCP
9-11 weeks FVRCP (2nd dose) +/- FeLV (1st dose), FIV (1st dose)
12-14 weeks FVRCP (3rd dose)+/- FeLV ( 2nd dose), FIV (2nd dose)
15-17 weeks FVRCP (4th dose), rabies +/- FIV (3rd dose)

.Once the kitten vaccination schedule is completed, your adult cat receives booster vaccines every 1 to 3 years.

Side Effects of Vaccines for Kittens

After your kitten receives vaccinations, it's essential to be aware of potential side effects. These side effects typically fall into two categories: normal signs and rare reactions.

Normal Signs Following Vaccination

Normal signs following vaccination include:

  • Pain or swelling at the injection site
  • Mild fever
  • Decreased appetite
  • Lethargy

Because these signs are considered normal, treatment is generally unnecessary. Cats typically return to normal in a couple of days.

Rare but Serious Reactions

Reactions are rare, but can be very serious and the symptoms can be part of an anaphylactic reaction, which is potentially life-threatening. Severe symptoms that warrant immediate veterinarian attention, especially if they occur within a few hours of receiving vaccines, include:

While uncommon, a serious adverse reaction that can occur with injection sites is tumor (sarcoma) formation. These tumors are termed Feline Injection Site Sarcomas (FISS) and can develop weeks, months, or even years following vaccine administration.

If you notice a lump at a vaccine injection site, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?

Let’s Start!
Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?

Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?

1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Cost of Kitten Vaccines

Kitten shots typically range between $60 and $100 per immunization. The exact vaccine prices will vary depending on location, vaccine duration, and specific health needs. To help manage vaccination costs, you can discuss pet wellness plans with your veterinarian.

Conclusion

Prioritizing your kittens' health is paramount, and vaccinations play a pivotal role. We are pleased to offer mobile pet vaccinations along with comprehensive wellness exams to ensure your kittens receive top-notch care. To begin this essential journey, schedule a kitten wellness exam with us today. Your kittens' well-being is our priority, and we are here to assist you every step of the way..

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do adult cats need boosters post-kitten shots?

Adult cats should be re-vaccinated one year , following the completion of the kitten vaccine series, and then every 1 to 3 years thereafter depending on the type of booster administered.

Can I give my kitten shots at home, or is a vet needed?

Your veterinarian is the most qualified person to give vaccines and some can only be legally administered by a veterinarian.

How do vaccine schedules differ for indoor and outdoor kittens? 

Generally, all kittens receive the same vaccines on the same timeline. However, adult booster vaccines can differ as a result of lifestyle differences. For example, all kittens should be vaccinated for leukemia virus, however, this vaccine is typically only continued annually for cats allowed outdoors.  

Can vaccinations interfere with other kitten treatments?

It is important to let your veterinarian know if your kitten is receiving other treatments. They may recommend adjusting the timing of the treatments or the kitten's vaccines.