When a baby is born, we rush it to the doctors, to get multiple vaccines and immunity boosters. Same goes for pets as well. Pet parents must follow cat vaccination schedule as recommended by vet. If you are a new pet parent and have no idea about the cat vaccination timeline, you can also refer to the guide that we come up with. It will also provide you with information on which vaccine is mandatory and what to avoid. There are various types of vaccination available, some are long term, and some are short. Boosters supplied to your cat every once in a while to keep the vaccine effective. Here is what vaccines does cat need and its schedule, let’s check it out.
Cat Vaccination Schedule
You can refer to the table below to find a vaccines for cats at every age. This cat vaccine schedule will help you create your calendar so that you do not miss even a single dose.
| Cat Vaccine | Kitten Vaccination (under 16 weeks) | Cat Vaccination (over 16 weeks) | Booster | Remark |
| Rabies | Within 8 weeks – 1 Dose (Need to revaccinate every year) | Single-dose – revaccinated every year. Boosters are needed to keep it practical. | Depending upon the type of booster available, you can give it every 3 years or annually. Government regulations may also determine frequency of the booster supplied. | This is a mandatory vaccine, as rabies is 100% fatal to a cat and cannot be reversed. There is no treatment for rabies in cats to date. |
| Feline Distemper | Within 6 weeks – 1st Dose After 6 weeks – to be repeated every 3 weeks until the age of 16 weeks. | After 16 weeks – 2 doses vaccine need to provide after every 3 to 4 weeks. | After a year of being vaccinated with feline distemper, one booster dose is provided. The next dose is given every 3 years. | Feline distemper is very common in kittens and can cause their death if not provided with the distemper vaccine cats at an early stage. |
| Feline Herpesvirus | Within 6 weeks – 1st Dose. After 6 weeks – to be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks until the age of 16 weeks. | After 16 weeks – 2 doses of the vaccine are provided every 3 to 4 weeks. | One booster dose is provided after a year of being vaccinated with Feline Herpesvirus. The next dose is given every 3 years. | A fatal respiratory condition called the Feline viral rhino tracheitis is caused, which can be fatal and irreversible. |
| Calicivirus | Within 6 weeks – the first dose is to be provided. After 6 weeks – to be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks until the age of 16 weeks. | After 16 weeks – 2 doses of the vaccine are provided every 3 to 4 weeks. | After a year of being vaccinated with feline distemper, one booster dose is provided. The next dose is given every 3 years. | Calicivirus is one of the most contagious respiratory diseases in a cat that can cause oral ulcerations, joint paint, anorexia and fever. |
| Cat Leukemia Vaccine | Within 8 weeks – the first dose is to be provided. After 8 weeks – to be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks. | After 16 weeks – 2 doses of the vaccine are provided every 3 to 4 weeks. | The cat is to be supplied with this booster every year. On the off chance the cat doesn’t go outside, this booster can be avoided and can be supplied after every 2 to 3 years. | It can cause cancer in a cat and needs to be tested for a negative result before applying the vaccine. It is contagious and is transmitted from cat-to-cat contact. |
| Bordetella | The first dose is to be provided within 4 weeks. | After every 1 year – 2 doses of the vaccine are provided. | The booster is to be supplied to the cat once a year. | Bordetella is another contagious disease that attacks the upper respiratory organ. |
Difference Between The Various Types Of Vaccines
The two basic types of vaccines available are the Core and Non-Core Vaccines. Core vaccines recommended by your vet and considered mandatory for every pet. In comparison, your vet suggests non-core vaccines depending upon your cat’s surroundings or the lifestyle you provide to your pet. For example, Feline Leukemia vaccine is not mandated until your cat get in contact with other cats.
FAQs
The vaccination schedule starts as early as 4 weeks after they are born. You may have to take your cat for vaccination every 3 to 4 weeks within 16 weeks of its age. After the cat has crossed 16 weeks, the vaccinations become an annual affair.
In most cases, indoor cats are supplied with the core vaccines as they have a lesser chance of contracting contagious diseases spread by the external environment. The core vaccines can be Rabies, Feline Distemper, Feline Herpesvirus and Calicivirus.
The shot schedule for cats starts as early as 4 weeks and can be repeated after every 3 to 4 weeks until the age of 16.
The 3-in-1 vaccine also know as cat FVRCP vaccine is the Feline Distemper, Feline Herpesvirus, and Calicivirus combined to protect your cat against incurable diseases like upper respiratory disease. These 3 are also abbreviated as FVRCP vaccine for cats.
Yes, it can be considered too late if you have missed your cat’s vaccination by 3 years. The exception, in this case, is the rabies vaccine which needs to be mandatory and supplied every year, there is no other way around it.
The first dose should start as early as 4 to 6 weeks and not more than that.
You kitten should it rabies vaccine within 16 weeks. Moreover the booster shot should be given in 12 months. Ans rabies vaccine for cats after every 3 years after unless state laws dictate otherwise.
Conclusion
Every pet parent should aware of the vaccination schedule for their cat because it starts early and needs to supplied within 3 to 4 weeks till the cat reaches adulthood (16 weeks). After the cat is an adult, you can change the vaccination routine annually. Some of the vaccines are necessary, like rabies, because once your cat contracts rabies, it is irreversible and may result in early death. Hence, always take your cat regularly to the vet and keep its health and vaccination schedule under check.