Congratulations! You are now the proud parent of an adorable kitten. Aside from enjoying the company of your new furry friend, it’s important to stay on top of their vaccines and wellness exams. Ensuring that their vaccines are updated now and in the future will set your kitten up for a healthy life in the long run.
When should kittens get their first vaccination?
Similar to the discussion on puppy vaccinations above, kittens also acquire maternal antibodies. Thus, the FVRCP (upper respiratory vaccination) is given multiple times at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks to ensure immunity is provided. At these visits, your kitten may also be a candidate to receive the leukemia vaccine and rabies vaccine, which can be discussed further at the appointment.
Why is it important to vaccinate my kitten?
The first vaccines that your kitten will receive will provide the foundation of protection from the most common diseases that affect cats such as rabies, calicivirus, feline distemper, respiratory infections and leukemia virus.
Does my kitten only need core vaccines?
Because every cat is different depending on their lifestyle and unique health needs, we may recommend additional vaccines. Feel free to ask our veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians about the various vaccine options for your cat, either at your next consultation or by calling us at 403-678-9595.
VACCINATIONS FOR CATS
Once your kitten has fully matured into an adult, it is still important to continue receiving proper vaccination to maintain their health. Below are some of the most common questions that our clients ask us about vaccines and their feline friends.
How often do cats need to be vaccinated?
After they have completed their booster series of vaccines as kittens, adult cats still need to be given certain vaccines. As a general rule of thumb, cats need to be revaccinated every one to three years. The frequency depends on many factors, such as your cat’s lifestyle and any conditions they may have. This is why regular full-body examinations are crucial so that we can assess and decide if it is time for your pet to receive a “booster” shot, as the effects of previous vaccinations can wear off over time.
Do indoor cats need to be vaccinated?
The short answer is yes! Even if your feline friend spends most of their time in your home, or condo, they can still be vulnerable to certain diseases and conditions if they are not properly vaccinated. In fact, even if they spend 100% of their time indoors and never step foot outside your home, your cat still needs protection. One of the recommended vaccines for most cats is the FVRCP vaccine, which protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. In addition, the rabies vaccine is another level of protection recommended and is actually mandated by law in most places.