Kitten Vaccinations

Very young kittens are susceptible to infectious disease because their immune systems are not yet fully mature. They receive protection through antibodies in their mother’s milk, but the protection is not long-lasting, and there may be gaps in protection as the milk antibodies decrease and their immune system is still maturing.

When should kittens get their first vaccination?

Kittens should receive their first vaccine at the age of 8 weeks.

How often does my kitten need to be vaccinated?

The standard schedule for kitten vaccinations is at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. After the third booster, your pet will not be due for another vaccination until a year later. It is recommended to have your cat vaccinated on an annual basis.

Does my kitten only need core vaccines?

Core vaccines are recommended for all cats because the disease the vaccine protects against is either extremely severe or especially common, or because the disease is a threat to humans. Non-core vaccines are recommended only for those cats at risk for the disease in question. For cats, core vaccines include Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Rhinotracheitis (also known as Feline Herpesvirus) and Rabies.