Cat and kitten vaccination schedule: what the guidelines say

Kittens need a series of vaccines in their first months, adult cats need boosters at intervals, and a surprising amount of the confusion comes from the fact that two good sources can say slightly different things. This guide sets out what the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publish about cat vaccination, explains the reasoning, and shows how to keep track of the dates. As always, your veterinarian decides what your cat needs, because it depends on age, lifestyle (indoor, outdoor, multi-cat household), local disease risk and the law.

Which vaccines are "core" for cats

Core vaccines are recommended for all cats. The AAFP guidelines list four: feline parvovirus (FPV, often called panleukopenia), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV) and rabies virus. WSAVA lists FPV, FCV and FHV-1 as core, rabies as core where it is endemic, and the feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) vaccine as core for kittens under one year and for adult cats with outdoor access (or living with outdoor cats) where FeLV is endemic. In practice, the FPV, FHV-1 and FCV vaccines are usually given together in a single combination injection, which is why you will see "FVRCP" on a vet's record, although the abbreviation does not appear in the sources quoted here.

The kitten series

As with puppies, kittens carry antibodies from their mother that can block a vaccine, so they need several doses. The AAFP guidelines say:

• Vaccines should be given at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks until kittens are 16 weeks old.
• For FPV, FHV-1 and FCV, the series may begin as early as 6 weeks of age.
• The final vaccine in the initial series should be given to kittens no sooner than 16 weeks of age.

WSAVA gives a similar framework for puppies and kittens: multiple core doses every 2 to 4 weeks, with the final dose at 16 weeks of age or older, and a further dose at or after 26 weeks to cover animals that still had maternal antibodies at 16 weeks. The intervals overlap, and what matters most is the principle: the last kitten dose must not be too early. Your vet will choose the exact dates.

Booster at one year, then every three years

The AAFP guidelines say cats should be revaccinated 1 year after the initial series. After that, for FPV, FHV-1 and FCV, they should be vaccinated once every 3 years, with FPV given no more often than that. So "annual shots" for cats is not what the AAFP recommends for the core combination vaccine in an adult cat at low risk, though the annual check-up is still a good idea. Your cat's risk may change that: a cat that goes to boarding, lives with other cats or has outdoor access might need a different plan, and non-core vaccines have their own intervals. WSAVA notes that the duration of immunity for most non-core vaccines is about one year.

Rabies for cats

The AAFP says primary rabies vaccination should happen at 12 to 16 weeks of age (as early as 8 weeks depending on the vaccine brand), with revaccination 1 year later. After that, annual or triennial vaccination follows, depending on the type of vaccine and applicable legal requirements, and local statutes take precedence where they apply. WSAVA lists rabies as core where it is endemic. In many places rabies vaccination is a legal requirement even for indoor cats, so ask your vet what applies where you live, and check requirements before you travel.

Summary table

Indoor cats still need a plan

It is tempting to think that an indoor cat needs no vaccines. The core vaccines are recommended for all cats, and rabies is often a legal requirement. Indoor cats can also be exposed through open doors, other pets, boarding, grooming or a new cat joining the household. What changes with an indoor lifestyle is mostly the non-core category. Talk to your vet about your cat's real risk instead of deciding by yourself.

What to record

• The date, clinic and vaccine name for every dose, including kitten doses.
• The next due date and what it is for (for example, the one-year booster or the rabies certificate).
• The cat's weight at each visit, since doses and medicines can depend on it.
• Any reaction after a vaccine, with the date, so that you can tell the vet.
• A photo of the certificate. Rabies certificates in particular are often needed for boarding and travel.

Pawfolio stores vaccines and parasite care with next-due dates for each pet and reminds you before they pass; our guide on pet health records lists what else to keep. If you share a home with a dog as well, see the dog vaccination guide.

Boarding, grooming and multi-cat homes

Catteries, boarding facilities and some groomers ask for proof of vaccination, usually the core vaccines and often rabies, and may require the dose to be given a minimum time before the stay. Ask the facility what it needs and book the vaccine visit early rather than the week before. If you share a home with several cats, keep a separate record for each one: a new arrival, a kitten or a rescue cat with an unknown history changes the risk for everyone, and your vet may suggest a different plan. Bring any paperwork that came with an adopted cat so that the vet can see what, if anything, was already given.

When to call the vet after a vaccination

Mild tiredness or a slightly reduced appetite for a day can happen after vaccination, but you should contact your vet if you see anything that worries you, particularly facial swelling, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, hives or collapse. Treat sudden difficulty breathing or collapse as an emergency. Mention any reaction before the next dose, and record it.

Pawfolio and this website do not replace veterinary care. Vaccine schedules depend on your cat, location and your veterinarian's advice.

Frequently asked questions

What vaccines do kittens need?

The AAFP lists FPV (panleukopenia), FHV-1, FCV and rabies as core vaccines. Kittens receive the first three in a series every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age, with the final dose no sooner than 16 weeks.

How often do adult cats need vaccines?

According to the AAFP, cats should be revaccinated one year after the initial series and then once every 3 years for FPV, FHV-1 and FCV. Rabies is annual or triennial depending on the vaccine and local law.

Do indoor cats need vaccines?

Core vaccines are recommended for all cats and rabies vaccination is often a legal requirement. Ask your vet to assess your indoor cat's risk, particularly for non-core vaccines.

When can a kitten start vaccines?

The AAFP says the series for FPV, FHV-1 and FCV may begin as early as 6 weeks of age. Your veterinarian decides the actual schedule.