Why Does an Adult Cat Need 2 Shots the First Time?

There are two "core" vaccinations that cats should receive during their life. The American Association of Feline Practitioners defines vaccinations as "core" vaccines, "non-core" vaccines and "not generally recommended".

  1. FPV/FHV-1/FCV Vaccine

    • The first type of core vaccine that all cats should receive is the Panleukopenia Virus (FPV)/Feline Herpesvirus-1 and Feline Calcivirus (FHV-1/FCV). This can begin as early as six weeks of age, and repeated every three to four weeks until the cat is 16 weeks old. For cats who begin the series after 16 weeks of age they should receive two doses, three to four weeks apart. A single dose is given one year following the last dose of the initial series, then no more frequently than every three years.

    Rabies Vaccination

    • The rabies vaccination may be required by law depending on your state or local municipality. Veterinarians must follow applicable statues for the region they practice in. For cats over 16 weeks of age, the initial series is two doses of the vaccine administered 12 months apart. An annual booster is required, although in some states the vet many administer one every three years.

    Non-Core Vaccines

    • Non-core vaccines are generally only administered to cats residing in high risk areas or to cats considered to be at risk of exposure to the disease. This is often the case in multiple pet homes as well as in rescue shelters, boarding facilities, or catteries. One of the non-core vaccinations is for the feline leukemia virus and may be recommended if you have a FeLV-infected cat living with cats of unknown FeLV-infection status or where the introduction of new cats is common.

    Not generally recommended vaccines

    • These vaccines are ones in which insufficient studies are available to support the role of the vaccine in preventing disease.

    Risks

    • For adult cats receiving vaccinations there remains the risk of vaccinesite sarcoma (cancer at the injection site). Your vet will determine if the risks of the vaccine outweigh the potential benefits to the cat.