What are essential kitten vaccinations?
Written by
Victoria Hayes
Reviewed by
Prof. Edward Clarke, Ph.D.Kittens are most susceptible to certain life-threatening diseases during the early months of their lives. Getting them vaccinated at 6-7 weeks of age helps your kitten develop immunity before maternal antibody levels decline significantly. This timing helps protect them from catastrophic and deadly diseases like panleukopenia and calicivirus, which spread quickly through populations of unvaccinated kittens.
FVRCP Vaccine
- Protects against: Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia
- First dose: 6-7 weeks when maternal antibodies decrease
- Effectiveness: Prevents 90% of common respiratory infections
- Critical need: Panleukopenia has 90% mortality in unvaccinated kittens
Rabies Protection
- Legal requirement: Mandatory in most regions due to human health risk
- Timing: Single dose at 12-16 weeks depending on local laws
- Transmission risk: Bats and wildlife exposure even for indoor cats
- Booster: Annual or triennial based on vaccine type and regulations
Parasite Prevention
- Fecal exams: Detect roundworms/hookworms every 2-3 weeks
- Deworming: Essential even with negative tests due to intermittent shedding
- Flea/tick control: Start at 8 weeks with kitten-safe products
- Heartworm: Monthly prevention in endemic areas starting at 12 weeks
Booster timing helps ensure continuing immunity for a critically important development of immunity. If we miss the 3-4 weeks between FVRCP doses, it reduces immunity. Because of the uncertainty that overlapping maternal antibodies will block the initial vaccine dose, requiring precise follow-up, I set calendar reminders for my clients.
Parasite Control is a useful complement to the Vaccine program. Roundworms stunt growth. Fleas cause anemia. Monthly preventatives, such as Revolution, are effective against various threats and are typically administered on a monthly basis. However, a fecal exam every two or three weeks is necessary to spot resistant parasites that require a particular class of dewormer, not covered by standard parasite preventatives.
Stay alert for mild reactions, such as low energy, loss of appetite, and possibly a slight fever, for 48 hours after the procedure. Severe swelling or vomiting warrants a quick call to your vet. Otherwise, always arrange for vaccinations to take place when you can keep a close eye on your kitten. You are keeping her safe while helping her build immunity.
Your veterinarian customizes protection in relation to local disease risks and your kitten's lifestyle. For example, an indoor kitten in an apartment on the 20th floor may have different recommendations than a barn cat that lives outside in the country. Having your veterinarian personalize your kitten's protection allows for targeted protection without giving excessive vaccines.
Read the full article: Kitten Developmental Milestones Explained Simply
