Cat vaccinations Just like us, regular vaccinations for pets are essential to their ongoing health. Vaccinations protect your cat from contagious and preventable disease. Some of these diseases can be fatal and many don't have a cure, so vaccinating your cat is very important to keep them safe and healthy.
There is several serious diseases that indoor cats develop every year, that's why it's essential to vaccinate you kitty to keep them safe from these preventable conditions. It's also very important to stay up to date with your cat's booster shots to keep them protected after their first kitten vaccinations.
Vaccinations help to protect your cat from severe infectious diseases. It also prevents them from passing anything nasty on to other animals in your area. Vaccinating your kitten is one of the most important things you should do in your first few weeks as a cat owner.
It is simply not worth the risk to the cat or your human family members to decline vaccination against rabies. Your veterinarian is your best source of the most current recommendations for vaccinating your cat in order to protect her from preventable infectious diseases - even if yours lives strictly indoors.
If cats do not receive their shots during kittenhood, they will most likely contract feline calicivirus, rabies, feline distemper, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline leukemia, chlamydia, and kennel cough.
I let my kitten outside before their vaccinations. Letting your kitten go outside before they've had their vaccinations could mean they pick up a virus, as they're not yet protected. Speak to your vets for advise, and they will be able to recommend if your kitten needs a health check.
Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. Then they must be boostered a year later. The shots come in a series every 3 to 4 weeks. Adult cats need shots less often, usually every year or every 3 years, depending on how long a vaccine is designed to last.
The cost for cat and kitten vaccinations can vary considerably depending on the type of vaccine and your location. However, as a rough guide, cat vaccinations in Australia are usually in the range of $80 to $150 each. We suggest you check with your local vet clinic to find out their specific vaccination prices.
Kittens need to be treated every 2 weeks, from 3-8 weeks old and then every month until they are 6 months old. Adult cats (6 months and older) need to be treated every 1-3 months.
An additional rabies vaccination costs around £60-80 and annual boosters cost about £50-£55. A full course of cat injections includes protection against feline leukaemia. This is necessary for outdoor or social animals.
Cats who often explore outdoors are exposed to more parasites and diseases, which means it's critical to protect them against serious diseases. 'Lifestyle vaccines' are recommended mainly for cats who spend a lot of time outdoors, or around other cats.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) categorises the most commonly recommended cat vaccinations as either “core” and “non-core” vaccines. Your cat should be regularly vaccinated with the core vaccines, regardless of their lifestyle or location – even if your cat spends its entire time indoors.
When should my kitten receive their first shots? You should bring your kitten to see your vet for their first round of vaccinations when they are about six to eight weeks old. Following this, your kitten should get a series of vaccines at three-to-four week intervals until they reach approximately 16 weeks old.
Immunizations are started at 6-8 weeks of age and are repeated every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is 4 months old. The routine or core vaccinations will protect your kitten from the most common diseases: feline distemper (panleukopenia), feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus 1), calicivirus, and rabies.
Even for indoor cats, I recommend doing distemper shots every three years until they're about anywhere between 8 to 10 years old. That's just to protect them against potential exposure through a screen, or if you decide to get a kitten, to keep them safe.
Cats usually need 'booster' vaccinations every twelve months. Although getting your cat vaccinated when it is very young is very important – it is equally important to keep your cat's vaccinated throughout it's life.
Can I leave my kitten alone while I sleep? If you don't want your kitten in your room, they can be left alone whilst you sleep – give them a soft, warm and secure place to rest and they should be happy. If you do choose to do this, close the door so they can't hurt themselves whilst you sleep.
It's a myth that going outside is a requirement for feline happiness.
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.
Indoor Cats
Because fleas can carry worms, your indoor cat should be wormed as well. It's better to be safe than sorry, and both flea and worm treatment is easy and safe, whereas elimination of parasites once they have taken hold can be more complicated.
It's never too late to start a vaccination programme.
Most reputable catteries will not take cats for boarding unless they have an up to date vaccination record. If more than 12 months pass between boosters, your pet may need to restart their vaccination course, as their immunity will have deteriorated.
If my cat is vaccinated, is it safe to be around other animals that are not vaccinated? - Summer Creek Animal Clinic. That's a great question. With core vaccines like rabies and the FVRCP, if your cat is vaccinated, the protection there will be excellent. So the answer to that is yes.
Having outdoor access means that your cat is at risk of being infected with viruses such as feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, feline panleukopenia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus.