Recommended Cat Vaccinations

You want your kitten to live a long life, right? Then, one of the most important things you can do is make sure her health is defended. And, vaccinations may be the easiest way to protect your cat from many common cat ailments. So, what are the recommended cat vaccinations, and when should you begin vaccinating your kitten?

You should begin vaccinating your kitten as soon as six to eight weeks old. Before this time, her mother's antibodies have been doing the job of protecting her from many of the diseases that vaccinations guard against. However, now that she is weaned, she will need to develop her own antibodies.  And, this is where your vet comes in.

During your kitten's first veterinarian visit, your veterinarian will give her a physical exam. This exam should include a fecal exam to be sure your kitten doesn't have worms. Before your veterinarian vaccinates your kitten, he or she will probably perform a blood test to be sure your kitten is not already infected with Feline Leukemia. Your vet may also test for Feline Infectious Peritonitis. These tests do not take long, and your veterinarian may have the preliminary results within a few minutes. Assuming your kitten is not currently infected with one of these illnesses, your veterinarian will administer a Feline Leukemia and FIP vaccine to your kitten if she is at risk for these diseases. An only cat who never leaves the house may not need these two vaccines and your veterinarian may recommend against giving them.

However, your kitten should receive her first FVRCPC vaccine whether she is an indoor/outdoor cat or one who never leaves the house at all. A combination of several vaccines, FVRCPC protects kittens from rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleudopenia and chlamydia.

Your kitten's second visit to the vet will be in two to four more weeks, when she is eight to twelve weeks old. At this time, she will receive a second FVRCPC vaccine and a second FIP and Feline Leukemia vaccine. If she was wormed during her initial visit, she will also be given a second worming. Kittens who are twelve weeks old and spend time outdoors should also receive their first Rabies vaccine at this time.

Your third visit to Kitty's veterinarian should occur when she is ten to sixteen weeks old. During this visit, she will be given her third FVRCPC vaccine. Kittens who were too young to be given their initial Rabies vaccine on their second visit should be given the vaccine at this time.

After your kitten has completed her third set of FVRCPC vaccines, she will not need any more vaccines until she is one year old. Then she will need a Rabies and FVRCPC vaccine. As long as the second Rabies shot is given within one year of the first Rabies vaccine, it will be good for three years. However, your cat will need to return for a FVRCPC vaccine each year. If your cat received FIP and Feline Leukemia vaccines as a kitten, she will also receive boosters for these shots when she is one year of age.

Do note that, while vaccines are usually safe, some of them do occasionally have side effects. Some other vaccines can also occasionally result in tumors at the vaccination site. Many times, the tumor can be removed before it advances. This side effect is rare enough that the risk of catching a disease without having vaccinations is much higher. If you do notice a lump develop at the injection site, alert your veterinarian, as these lumps usually are a simple reaction to the injection, but can develop into a tumor.