The sheer number of acronyms-FVRCP, FeLV, FIV-can make your kitten’s first vet visit feel like a final exam. If you’re finding yourself a little in the dark about what’s in that shot that your vet is recommending, don't worry, it's not as complicated as it seems at first.
What vaccines do cats need? That depends on their lifestyle, health status, and some other factors, but in general all cats need the core vaccines of rabies, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline rhinotracheitis (FHV), and feline panleukopenia (FPV).
But some cats may need additional vaccines as well. Once you understand the types of cat vaccines, why they need them, vaccine safety, and have a schedule, you can make informed decisions about your cat’s health and wellness.
Understanding Cat Vaccines
You’re not alone if don’t fully understand what a vaccine is. Most of us get them without thinking about the process behind the injection. Well, here’s a quick rundown:
A vaccine is a product that’s put into your cat’s body in order to alert and activate their immune system to this particular pathogen. The product is often a modified form of the pathogen itself that’s unable to cause disease in your cat, but that has all the identifiers to stimulate the immune system. That way when your cat sees the pathogen for real, their immune system is already geared up to fight it.
It’s important to know that vaccines don’t form a protective shield around your cat. They can still get infected with a disease, but being vaccinated will make them better equipped to fight it, potentially decreasing the severity of the illness. It may not keep them from getting the illness altogether.
Why Do Cat Vaccines Matter?
There are many pathogens out there that can infect your cat and cause serious disease, even death. Vaccinating your cat is one of the best ways to help protect them against these diseases so that they have a better chance of surviving. Vaccinations are also important to help prevent the spread of disease to other animals.
Do Indoor Cats Still Need Vaccinated?
Cats pick up most infectious pathogens from the outside environment or from contact with other cats, but even kitties that live a protected indoor lifestyle can come across them. Pathogens can be brought in by other animals or on your clothes. And let's be honest: the back door might accidentally stay open for a second too long, and your cat could slip outside.
Core Cat Vaccines: The Essentials for Every Cat
Regardless of their lifestyle, every kitty should receive two main vaccines:
FVRCP
Acronym time! This critical combination shot is often referred to as the feline distemper vaccine, and it protects against three major, highly contagious diseases:
FPV (Panleukopenia): The most serious threat, often known as distemper or parvovirus. This is a highly contagious, severe, and frequently fatal disease, especially in kittens.
FCV (Feline Calicivirus): Causes highly contagious respiratory symptoms and is notable for painful ulcers on the tongue and mouth.
FHV (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis): A severe upper respiratory illness caused by Feline Herpesvirus-1, leading to chronic sneezing and eye/nasal discharge.
Rabies
Every mammal is capable of being infected with rabies, you and your cat included. Rabies is a viral disease that infects the brain and spinal cord, causing severe neurological issues and inevitably leading to death. Because this virus is a serious public health threat that can be passed from animals to people, the Rabies vaccine for cats is mandated by law in many jurisdictions, and your vet will know your local laws.
Non-Core Cat Vaccines: Based on Your Cat’s Lifestyle
Now, if your cat ventures outside, is boarded, groomed, travels regularly, or if they’re just allowed to mingle with other animals, additional vaccines will likely be recommended.
FeLV
You may see this one listed as a core vaccine for cats under one year as it’s a good idea to get a few doses into every cat to prevent a feline leukemia virus infection. For cats allowed contact with other cats as they get older should have FeLV boostered more frequently.
Bordetella
Bordetella causes a very contagious respiratory illness that is easily passed between cats in close contact. It may be recommended for cats that board or travel, but it doesn’t provide great protection.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia vaccine is rarely used on most cats. Instead, it’s used to control known infections in multi-cat households.
FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
The history of the FIP vaccine is full of ups and downs. There is an older type that is no longer recommended and a new one that’s still working through the acceptance phases.
Types of Cat Vaccines
Cat vaccines are made in a few different ways based on how the pathogen is disabled to keep from causing disease.
Killed (Inactivated) Vaccines
For these vaccines, the pathogens are killed so they can’t replicate in your cat. They are still recognizable by the immune system but can’t cause disease. This is what rabies vaccines are commonly made from, but you may find feline leukemia (FeLV), FPV, FCV, and FHV as well.
Modified Live Vaccines
These are the ones that need to be mixed before injection. The pathogen is modified so that they can replicate near the injection site but won’t spread throughout the body the way they would with the disease. FPV, FCV, FHV, and Bordetella are often given this way.
Recombinant Vaccines
This one takes a little engineering of the pathogen’s DNA to create a similar chunk of the pathogen that the immune system can then recognize, but that isn’t infective. These types have limited replication within your cat’s body with the replicates dying off because they’re not quite right. Recombinant vaccines aren’t as common in cats yet but may be used for some types of rabies or FeLV vaccines.
Injectable Vaccines
This is the traditional type of vaccine where the product is given through a needle and syringe into your cat’s body. There may be some swelling and pain at the injection site.
Intranasal Vaccines
These are vaccines that are squirted right up your cat’s nose. They may be easier to give but can cause some localized signs of watering and sneezing.
Your vet will help you decide which type is best for your cat based on the products that they prefer along with any health conditions your cat may have.
Cat Vaccine Schedule: From Kitten to Senior
Below is a comprehensive guide to your cat’s essential shots, covering the critical Kitten vaccine schedule through their senior years. However, every situation is different, so you should always consult your veterinarian to customize the plan based on your cat’s unique lifestyle and health needs.
Life Stage / Condition | Age/Timeframe | Vaccine | Frequency |
Kitten | 6-8 weeks | FPV, FCV, FHV | Start of the essential FVRCP series. |
Kitten | 10-12 weeks | FPV, FCV, FHV, FeLV | FeLV added for kittens, often considered core up to age one. |
Kitten | 14-16 weeks | FPV, FCV, FHV, FeLV, Rabies | Final kitten booster, Rabies administered. |
Adult Cat | Every 2-3 years | FPV, FCV, FHV (FVRCP) | Frequency depends on the specific vaccine used and the cat's lifestyle. |
Adult Cat | Every 1-3 years | Rabies | Frequency depends on the vaccine product and local legal requirements. |
Adult Cat | Every 1-3 years | FeLV | Only for cats at risk (e.g., go outdoors or interact with other cats). |
Senior Cat | 10+ years | Varies greatly | Protection plan should be discussed in detail with your veterinarian. |
Late Starter/ Unknown Status | Initial Visit | FPV, FCV, FHV, FeLV, Rabies | An initial dose of Rabies should be given. |
Late Starter/ Unknown Status | 3-4 weeks after Initial | FPV, FCV, FHV, FeLV | Requires a booster for these vaccines. |
Late Starter/ Unknown Status | 1 year after Initial Rabies | Rabies Booster | First follow-up dose for Rabies. |
Late Starter/ Unknown Status | Every 1-3 years after Rabies Booster | Rabies | Follows the standard adult schedule thereafter. |
Vaccine Safety and Side Effects
Most cats will fly through vaccinations without looking back. But there are some that will have reactions that can range from mild to serious.
Mild Vaccine Reactions
Look for swelling and pain at the injection site that can last a day or two. Your cat may also be a little lethargic, not wanting to eat, or may even run a low fever.
Serious Vaccine Reactions
Though rare, some cats can experience an anaphylactic reaction to vaccines. They may show up with vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, overall itchiness or facial swelling. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat experiences any of these reactions.
How to Minimize Vaccine Risks
Before giving vaccines, discuss your cat’s lifestyle with your vet. This can help prevent giving something your cat doesn’t necessarily need. Carefully monitor your cat after they receive any vaccine and report any reactions to your vet. When it comes time to revaccinate, this may lead your vet to choose a different product.
Special Vaccine Considerations
It’s important for your vet to know your cat’s full history, especially about any health conditions they may have, as pregnancy and other illnesses may affect how and what they vaccinate for. For some cats, your vet may choose to draw blood to check what’s called vaccine titers, which is a measurement of the immune response to a vaccine. If the titer is high enough, your vet may hold off on vaccinations.
Budget Planning for Cat Parents
Vaccines are an important part of your cat’s care routine, but they are also a costly part. When you expect to pay $20-$50+ per dose, the bill adds up quickly, especially during kittenhood.
Does pet insurance cover vaccines? Not exactly. Pet health insurance is meant for unexpected costs such as injuries or illnesses. If you want help with vaccines, you’ll need to look into adding an optional cat wellness plan. This budgeting tool can help with preventative medicine like vaccines, plus wellness checks, neutering, and more.
Cat health insurance is still vital, however. While severe vaccine reactions are thankfully rare, we still need to be prepared. A sudden allergic response requires immediate emergency stabilization, and those emergency room fees and hospitalization can quickly total hundreds to well over a thousand dollars. And should your cat contract a serious illness like Feline Leukemia, the costs for long-term testing, supportive care, and specialized treatments like chemotherapy can escalate, easily reaching thousands of dollars throughout their life.
Cat Vaccines
Congratulations! You are now officially fluent in the language of vaccine terms and acronyms. You understand exactly what those letters stand for, which shots are core (like Rabies and FVRCP), and which ones are non-core but could be important for your cat's specific lifestyle.
Vaccines are truly the simplest and most effective way to help ensure your beloved cat stays as healthy as possible, building their immune system's defense against potentially devastating diseases. Remember that your veterinarian is your partner throughout this entire journey; don't hesitate to ask questions or express concerns, as their goal is always what’s best for your kitty.
Your vet is the MVP! It's time to grab your BFF and go enjoy all that life has to offer with the GOAT cat, so you don't end up with FOMO!