Kitten vaccine schedule: the complete guide, from 8 weeks to 1 year
Short answer: kittens get the FVRCP combination vaccine from 6 to 8 weeks, then every 2 to 4 weeks until 16 to 18 weeks. Feline leukemia (FeLV) is recommended for all kittens, in 2 doses starting at 8 weeks. Rabies follows as required by local law, and an FVRCP booster is advised around 6 months.
A typical kitten schedule
Based on the 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines, here is the most common sequence. Your vet adapts it to your kitten.
| Age | Usual vaccines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | FVRCP, dose 1 | Often given at the shelter or breeder |
| 8 weeks and up | FeLV, dose 1 | Two doses 3 to 4 weeks apart |
| Every 2 to 4 weeks | FVRCP until 16 to 18 weeks; FeLV dose 2 | The last FVRCP dose is not given before 16 weeks |
| 12 to 16 weeks | Rabies, as required by law and advised by your vet | Booster 1 year later |
| Around 6 months | FVRCP booster | Recommended by the 2020 guidelines |
| Adult | FVRCP every 3 years depending on risk; rabies every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine; FeLV if the cat goes outside | Yearly wellness visit |
Core vaccines for cats
- FVRCP: protects against panleukopenia (feline distemper) and the two main cat flu viruses, herpesvirus and calicivirus.
- Rabies: as required by local law and advised by your vet. In Ontario, it is mandatory for cats aged 3 months or more.
- Feline leukemia (FeLV): considered core for kittens and cats under one year. For adults it becomes optional, depending on outdoor access or a FeLV-positive housemate.
My cat stays indoors: does it need vaccines?
Yes, for the core vaccines. Panleukopenia virus is very hardy and can come into the home on shoes or clothes. Indoor cats can also slip outside, go to boarding or the vet, where they meet other animals. What changes for an adult indoor-only cat is mostly feline leukemia, often unnecessary if the cat never goes out and lives alone.
Keep track of every dose
Between 3 or 4 kitten visits, the 6-month booster and the years that follow, it is easy to lose track. Write down the product, lot number and next due date for each vaccine, and keep the record handy for boarding or a change of clinic.
Read next: the puppy vaccine schedule. Version française : vaccins du chaton.
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When should a kitten be vaccinated?
The first FVRCP dose is usually given between 6 and 8 weeks, then every 2 to 4 weeks until 16 to 18 weeks, according to the 2020 AAHA/AAFP guidelines.
How much do kitten vaccines cost?
Prices vary a lot by clinic and region. Ask your vet for a kitten package: it often includes the exam, the first-year doses and deworming.
Is the feline leukemia vaccine necessary?
It is recommended for all kittens under one year. For adults it depends on lifestyle: useful if the cat goes outside or lives with a FeLV-positive cat.
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes, for the core vaccines, because panleukopenia can come into the home on clothes, and indoor cats can escape or go to boarding.
When is the first booster?
The 2020 guidelines recommend an FVRCP booster around 6 months, then every 3 years depending on risk. Rabies has a booster 1 year after the first dose.
Sources
- CFA, summary of the 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines
- Ontario, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 567: Rabies Immunization (Health Protection and Promotion Act)
Informational article based on the official sources below. It does not replace advice from your veterinarian or the official agencies, whose rules can change.