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There are few things in life better than bringing home a new, bouncing ball of fur. Kittens can make a playful and snuggly companion and source of endless entertainment, so you’ll want to protect their health at all costs. One of the best ways to ensure a healthy kitty is to see your veterinarian regularly and make sure they are up to date on their vaccines, but the kitten vaccine schedule isn’t something all new cat owners are familiar with. So, we're here to help you out by providing information on the most common kitten vaccines, when to give them, and what you may expect to pay.
Core vs. Non-Core Kitten Vaccines
When talking about shots for kittens, you may hear the terms core versus non-core vaccines. This doesn’t deal with a kitten’s abdominal muscles, instead it refers to which vaccines are considered necessary for all cats (core) and which ones may be needed depending on the kitten’s situation (non-core).
Core Kitten Vaccines
Core vaccines are those that all kittens should receive, whether they’re indoor, outdoor, have other pets in the household, or whether they travel. Those include:
Feline calicivirus (FCV)
Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1)
Feline panleukopenia (FPV): also known as the feline distemper vaccine
Feline leukemia (FeLV): some vets consider FeLV a core vaccine for cats under 1 year regardless of lifestyle
The first three kitten shots are most often given in a combination vaccine known as FVRCP so that your little fluffy only gets one poke instead of three.
Non-Core Kitten Vaccines
Now for the little additions that your vet may deem necessary based on your cat’s lifestyle. Just for an example, kittens that are allowed outside or that will be exposed to other cats through travel may want to stock up on these non-core vaccines:
Feline leukemia (FeLV): I know it’s made an appearance already, but you may have a vet that considers FeLV a non-core for adult cats depending on their lifestyle.
Kitten Vaccine Schedule
Now that you know the what, let’s talk about the when. Your vet is well aware that your brain is likely already in overdrive trying to store away all of the things that you need to remember, so we don’t want to complicate things any further. Instead, you can refer to this handy chart when it comes to vaccinating your new kitty.
Vaccine | When it should be given |
FVRCP | Start at 6-8 weeks of age, boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16-20 weeks of age; booster at 6 months to a year; booster every 1-3 years after |
Rabies | One shot at 12-16 weeks of age; booster one year later; booster every 1-3 years after |
FeLV | Start at 8 weeks of age, booster in 3-4 weeks; booster one year later; booster every 1-3 years after |
Bordetella | Start as early as 4 weeks of age, booster every 6 months or as needed after |
Chlamydia | Start as early as 8 weeks, booster in 3-4 weeks; booster once per year or as needed after |
Along with keeping your kitten up to date on their vaccines, you’ll also want to understand a little bit about the side effects so that you’ll know when to seek veterinary care and what will likely take care of itself within a day or two.
Factors Affecting a Kitten Vaccine Schedule
We’ve touched on a few already, but let’s really dive into what your vet is looking at when deciding your kitten’s vaccine schedule. First off, contact with other cats is a biggie because all of these diseases are easily passed from animal to animal. If your kitty goes outside (or you have other cats in the home that do) or is going to travel, your vet will want to vaccinate them to the hilt, giving them as much protection as possible.
On the other hand, if your kitty is going to be a stay-at-home fixture with little contact with other critters, they may do just fine with the basics and the basics only.
Your vet is also going to look at your local regulations. Some municipal areas require certain vaccinations, even for indoor cats, so they’ll want to abide by those rules. There’s also the consideration of the diseases that are prevalent in your area. For instance, if you live in a high risk FeLV area or if your kitten came from a shelter, they may want to adjust the vaccine schedule to make sure those bases are covered.
How Much Do Kitten Shots Cost
As you can see, there is a fair bit of variation between the number and types of vaccines a kitten will need. With this much variation, it should come as no surprise that there will be a range in what you’ll expect to pay for kitten shots as well. Broadly speaking, kitten vaccines may cost:
FVRCP: $15-$40 per shot
Rabies: $15-$25 per shot
FeLV: $10-$25 per shot
There may be some other costs that include the exam or any additional testing. Some vets may only charge the exam fee one time throughout the course of your kitten’s vaccine schedule while others may charge it at every visit.
Additional Veterinary Services and Costs
Kitten vaccines aren’t the end of the potential costs you may be looking to pay when taking your kitten to the vet. Depending on your situation, your vet may recommend testing for heartworm, FIV, or internal parasites. How often cats should go to the vet and the frequency of these tests will also vary based on your location, risk, etc. You may also want to invest in flea and tick preventatives, especially if your kitten will be venturing outside. The costs of these will vary greatly but look to pay anywhere from an additional $100-$200 to cover these other healthcare basics.
Financial Assistance and Cost-Reducing Options
We understand that finances are the last thing you want to worry about when welcoming a new kitten into your home, but unfortunately, they’re a major part of pet ownership. Ways that you may help reduce these costs are to adopt your kitten from a shelter or rescue. Shelter kittens often come with at least one vaccine in them, maybe more depending on their age. Shelters and rescues often offer low-cost vaccination clinics that will help you cross off the rest of your kitten’s vaccines when the time comes as well.
While vaccines are essential for your kitten's health, they're not the only expenses you'll encounter. Accidents, illnesses, and unexpected emergencies can arise at any time, even for the healthiest pets. Cat pet insurance can help you be prepared for these unforeseen events to ensure your kitten receives the necessary care without financial stress.
Once you have your insurance set up, consider adding on a wellness plan. While it's not insurance, it's a great way to budget for routine expenses like annual check-ups, kitten vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. A wellness plan can often cover the costs of these services, as well as flea and tick prevention and heartworm medication to save you money in the long run.
By planning ahead and utilizing both insurance and a wellness plan, you can ensure that your kitten receives the best possible care throughout their life. There's nothing quite like watching your adorable kitten grow into a healthy and happy companion.
The Importance of Kitten Vaccines
While you may be aware that getting your kitten vaccinated is an important part of having a feline friend, you may not understand why. Vaccines are your kitten’s first and best defense against many potentially serious diseases. Kitten vaccines also offer you peace of mind that you’re doing your best to keep your kitty healthy.
Establish a relationship with a veterinarian that can look out for your kitty’s health throughout their lifetime. Knowing your kitten when they’re healthy will better help a vet treat a cat when they’re sick. Understanding your cat’s lifestyle will also help a vet decide what vaccines are best for them and when they should be given.
By investing in your kitten's health and well-being, you're not just protecting them from illness; you're also building a stronger bond. A healthy and happy kitten will become a loving and playful friend who will fill your life with joy for years to come.