Vaccines for Kittens & Cats

Vaccinations are extremely important for your young kittens. Some infectious diseases can be fatal and one way to protect your kitten is by vaccinating them routinely. Vaccines not only protect them from preventable diseases, it also helps to strengthen their immune system. We recommend routine core vaccines for all cats. If you want to know which vaccines your cat should get, call us at 519-653-1003.

When should my kitten be vaccinated?

Immunizations must be given as a series of 3 injections at prescribed intervals during the kitten stages: the first one starts at 6-8 weeks of age and are then repeated every 4 weeks at 12 and 16 weeks of age. The core vaccinations will protect your kitten against feline distemper (panleukopenia), feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus 1), calicivirus, and rabies. Rabies vaccine will then be given at 16 weeks of age. Non-core vaccines are dependent on your kitten's lifestyle so we will discuss them with you during the initial visit and decide if they will require it. After the initial series, adult cats will be revaccinated every 1-3 years based on their lifestyle and risk factors.

Why does my kitten need a series?

Immediately after birth, kittens receive maternal antibodies from their mother, which acts as a form of immunity for the few weeks after birth. To remain protected against these infectious diseases, it is crucial for the kitten to produce their own antibodies. This is where the immunizations come into play as they stimulate that active immunity. When maternal antibodies are still present in the kitten, they inhibit the response to the vaccines. As such, a series will stimulate long-term active immunity as the kitten loses their maternal immunity and begin to develop their own.

Does my cat still need vaccines if they are strictly indoor?

Yes, even an indoor cat can get exposed to fatal and infectious diseases. The core vaccines are recommended to protect your pet against these illnesses, especially if they happen to escape the safety of your home, visit a groomer, or need to stay at a boarding facility.