As a responsible cat owner, it’s important to keep up to date with your kitten’s vaccinations to protect them from a range of diseases. Read about when to vaccinate your cat or kitten and what to expect here.
Cat vaccinations are vital to help protect them from common illnesses and to help keep them healthy. Additionally, kitten vaccinations are a condition of boarding for most catteries, and they may also be necessary if you want to travel abroad with your cat or kitten.
Cat vaccines can be divided into two different types: core and non-core. Core vaccines are recommended for all cats and kittens, and non-core vaccines are given depending on the risk to an individual cat. Discuss with your vet which vaccines your cat needs.
When should I vaccinate my kitten?
Depending on how old your kitten is when you bring them home, ask the breeder or early care giver if they have already had any vaccinations and, if so, get details of what vaccines they have had and when. The breeder should be able to give you a vaccination record card, signed by their vet, which summarises all this information.
Most vaccine courses are started when kittens are young so it’s a good idea to talk to your vet soon after bringing your kitten home. Your kitten should be vaccinated against the core diseases as soon as they are old enough; these kitten vaccinations will protect them as they’re growing and, with boosters, throughout their adulthood.
They’ll need two injections, usually 3-4 weeks apart, from around eight weeks of age. Double check the exact details with your vet, as timing can vary depending on the vaccine used, and your pet’s own risk profile. After your kitten has had their complete course of vaccinations they will need booster injections at regular intervals, usually annually, to ensure sustained immunity.
How do kitten vaccinations work?
Kitten vaccines help train your cat’s immune system to recognise and respond to certain serious infectious diseases. This means that if your kitten is exposed to one of these infections in the future, their immune system can get to action quickly to fight the infection and reduce the risk of serious illness.
What are the core vaccinations for cats?
Core vaccinations are those recommended for all cats. They protect against some serious infectious diseases, so it’s important to get your cat vaccinated as soon as possible.
By vaccinating against these core diseases, you can also help to protect other cats living in your environment by helping to establish ‘herd immunity’. The more cats that are vaccinated in any one place, the harder it is for viruses to become established in a population. If too many cats are not vaccinated, then those viruses become more of a risk to all the cats living there.
Kitten vaccinations include:
Feline Panleukopenia Virus (Feline Infectious Enteritis or Feline Parvovirus)
This is a highly contagious virus that can be fatal, particularly in young kittens, severely impacting their gut health. The most common signs (or symptoms) are vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration (even if the kitten is still drinking), loss of appetite and in some cases, neurological or nervous system signs.
Feline Calicivirus
Feline calicivirus is one of the viruses that causes cat flu with signs including sneezing, nasal discharge, mouth ulcers and excess salivation or dribbling). Affected cats may be reluctant to eat and have a temperature.
Feline Herpesvirus
Feline herpesvirus also causes cat flu, with signs including fever, sneezing, nasal discharge and eye conditions such as conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers. Some cats may go on to develop long-term (chronic) or recurrent nasal and eye disease.
What are the non-core vaccinations for cats?
Non-core cat vaccinations are recommended for cats whose lifestyle, environment or individual risk means they may be more likely to be exposed to certain infections. In the UK, this can include cats who have access to outdoors or are in contact with cats who go outdoors, or who need protection for travel.
Non-core kitten vaccinations include:
Feline Leukaemia virus
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is spread by close contact between cats. It can cause serious illness including some cancers, anaemia, and immunosuppression. In the UK, this vaccination is considered non-core, but it is usually recommended for any cat that goes outside or lives with cats that do.
Rabies
The rabies vaccination is not routinely needed for most pet cats in the UK, but it is required for pets travelling abroad or returning to the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme.
What happens at my cat’s vaccination appointment?
Your vet will examine your cat to make sure they are well enough to be vaccinated. If your vet is happy to go ahead, your cat will be given the appropriate vaccination. Some vaccines are combined into one injection while others may need to be given separately. The vaccine is usually given under the skin at the back of the neck (the scruff), but other sites may also be used.
Do cat vaccinations offer immediate protection?
No, vaccinations do not usually provide protection straight away. It can take a little time for your cat’s immune system to respond fully after vaccination, and some vaccines require more than one dose before full protection is achieved.
So, if your cat needs to stay in a cattery, or you’re considering taking your cat abroad, make sure you do your homework and find out which vaccinations are needed well in advance.
Cat vaccination side effects
Cat vaccinations are generally very safe, and most cats have no problems after their injection. When side effects do occur, they are usually mild and short-lived.
Possible side effects can include:
- A small swelling at the injection site
- Lethargy
- Mild fever
- Reduced appetite
- Sneezing or coughing
If they appear, these signs should settle in a few days. If you notice your cat is feeling poorly after their vaccination, contact your vet for advice.
Vaccines are an important part of keeping your cat happy and healthy – so it’s best to get them carried out as soon as possible. As always, if you have any concerns about your cat’s health, including what vaccinations they may need, speak to your vet for advice.
You can find more information about cat diseases and how they affect cats here.
FAQs
Talk to your vet about vaccinations as soon as you bring your kitten home - they will help you plan the best vaccination schedule for your kitten, based on their age and lifestyle.
Some of the diseases that vaccination protects against are highly contagious and can be life-threatening. Not vaccinating your kitten leaves them more vulnerable.
No vaccine can guarantee complete protection in every situation. However, vaccination greatly reduces the risk of serious illness. If a vaccinated cat does become infected, the disease is often milder, and they may also be less likely to pass infection on to other cats.
Indoor cats still need core vaccinations. Although they may not spend their days exploring the great outdoors, contact with the outside world can still happen. All the cat needs is a door left open a bit too long for them to squeeze out into the wide world. Even if they never go outside, infection can still be brought into the home indirectly on contaminated objects such as shoes, clothing, bedding or carriers. Plus, other cats or pets that visit can bring infections with them. Vaccination helps protect indoor cats against these risks.
Purina Editorial Team
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