Do Kittens Need Vaccinations

According to the american association of feline practitioners aafp the core vaccines those that are recommended for all cats are feline panleukopenia virus fpv feline herpesvirus 1 fhv 1 and feline calicivirus fcv as well as rabies.

Do kittens need vaccinations. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. Depending on your location and your kitten s environment certain non core vaccines may also be recommended. I recommend starting vaccinations at about 8 weeks of age continuing until the kitten is 4 months old. All kittens need certain core vaccines which provide immunity against the most dangerous and widespread diseases.

All kittens should receive a vaccination that protects against feline rhinotracheitis feline calicivirus and feline panleukopenia fvrcp. Protection against all three of these viruses is generally provided in a combination vaccine. Same rules apply here for kittens i wouldn t vaccinate a kitten unless you are going to let them outside not really a safe for these little ones or in contact with a felv positive cat kitten. Kittens need a course of two vaccinations to protect them from potentially fatal infections feline infectious enteritis which can cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea and feline influenza also known as cat flu.

Remember your kitten won t be fully protected until several weeks after their second set of jabs so it s best to keep them indoors and away from any unvaccinated pets until your vet says they re safe to mingle with other cats and go outside. These are all diseases that are ubiquitous in nature and frequently found in the general cat population. The shots come in a series every 3 to 4. There is also a vaccination that offers protection from the feline leukaemia virus which can affect the immune system.

Kittens under 6 months of age are most susceptible to infectious diseases so they are considered a primary focus of vaccination recommendations. Kittens can start their vaccinations from nine weeks old and will need a second set of injections usually 2 4 weeks after their initial set to complete their course. They will have an initial injection and then a second about 3 weeks later as well as a thorough health check and discussion about all aspects of kitten care including neutering flea and worm protection diet and behaviour. After this kittens and cats usually need booster vaccinations every twelve months.

Maternal antibodies passed on from the mother are meant to confer some degree of protection against diseases but they also interfere with or even inactivate the body s response to vaccination. Then they must be boostered a year latyer. Talk to your veterinarian about your kitten s risk of exposure to these diseases. Kittens should have their first set of vaccinations at nine weeks old and at three months old they should receive the second set to boost their immune system.

Kittens are old enough to be vaccinated once they are 8 9 weeks old. Calicivirus is one of the most common viral causes of feline upper respiratory infections. Core vaccines are considered essential for kittens in most geographical locations. Until your kitten is fully vaccinated and neutered you should keep him or her inside.