Types of Cat Vaccinations

Cats require different vaccinations depending on their situations: Are they primarily indoor or outdoor pets? Are they young or old? There are two primary types of vaccinations for adult cats, core and non-core, while kittens have their own set of vaccinations.

  1. Core Vaccinations

    • Core vaccinations are those that should be obtained regardless of the cat's lifestyle. Indoor and outdoor cats both require panleukopenia (distemper), viral rhinotracheitis, calcivirus and rabies vaccinations. The rabies vaccination can be obtained annually or every third year depending on which vaccination is administered. The other three vaccinations can be administered in a single dose known as FVRCP, a combination vaccine which should be administered annually.

    Non-Core Vaccinations

    • Non-core vaccinations are administered to cats that are at risk of being exposed to other diseases because they live outside of the home or are exposed to other animals. Non-core vaccinations for cats include chlamydia, ringworm, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), feline AIDS (FIV) and leukemia (FeLV). These vaccinations are administered individually and are only necessary if the cat is at risk of exposure. The chlamydia vaccination, however, is only given to cats if they have been exposed as it has a low effectiveness rating.

    Kitten Vaccinations

    • Kittens rely on immunity from their mothers before their own immune systems eventually take over. Kittens receive a series of booster shots beginning at six weeks of age and continuing every four weeks for a period of 12 weeks. The first vaccination that a kitten should receive is the combination FVRCP vaccination. The rabies vaccination does not have to be administered until the kitten reaches 16 weeks. Boosters are administered at one year of age, then repeated every three years.