Kitten Vaccination Schedule and Costs

When welcoming a new kitten into your home, keeping them happy and healthy is at the top of your to-do list.  

A healthy, balanced diet, plenty of love and playtime, and routine checkups with your veterinarian for kitten vaccines are extremely important.  

Understanding what shots your kitten needs and when they’re due can be challenging—so let’s look at everything you need to know. 

What Shots Do Kittens Need?

Vaccines help to protect your kitten from several fatal infectious diseases.  

While vaccines are important at all ages, kitten shots are essential as their natural immunity from their mother is decreasing.  

When given correctly, kitten vaccines induce a response by the immune system to either prevent the disease all together or significantly reduce its severity. 

There are two vaccines that should be given to all kittens (known as core vaccines), and a third vaccine that’s highly recommended by some veterinarians. 

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about kitten vaccines and what shots kittens need. 

Core Kitten Vaccines 

FVRCP 

All kittens should receive a vaccination that protects against feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia (FVRCP). These diseases are common in the general cat population. 

Protection against all three of these viruses is generally provided in a combination vaccine. 

• Feline calicivirus is one of the most common viral causes of feline upper respiratory infections. 

• Feline viral rhinotracheitis is highly contagious between cats. It’s also a major cause of upper respiratory infections and is caused by feline herpes virus type 1. Cats that become infected will always be carriers of the virus. 

• Feline panleukopenia is also very contagious between cats and is caused by feline parvovirus. 

The kitten vaccination schedule for FVRCP can begin as early as 6 weeks of age.  

Kittens are vaccinated once every three to four weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age or older. However, to avoid over-vaccination, most veterinarians will recommend starting the vaccine at 8 weeks of age, followed by boosters at 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. 

Rabies 

Rabies is the other core kitten vaccination.  

Rabies is a fatal disease that can affect cats and many other animals, including humans. Your kitten can receive a rabies vaccination as early as 12 weeks of age, but this depends on your state laws and veterinarian. 

Non-Core Kitten Vaccines 

Non-core vaccines, also known as optional vaccines, are not required like core vaccines. 

However, they are highly recommended for kittens with certain lifestyles.  

These vaccines are especially important to cats with a high risk of developing the associated disease. Common non-core vaccines for kittens include protection from the viruses that cause FeLV, FIV, and FIP.  

FeLV 

The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine is recommended by some veterinarians for all kittens, while others only recommend it for kittens at risk of disease.  

The decision should be based on your pet’s lifestyle and a discussion with your vet. Kittens that spend time outside or with other cats that go outdoors are an ideal candidate for this vaccine.  

Feline leukemia is a viral disease that can be transferred to kittens from their mother or through close contact with other infected cats.  

Kittens should be tested for FeLV prior to vaccination. Vaccination can begin at 8 to 12 weeks of age and requires a booster vaccine that’s given three to four weeks later. 

Kitten Vaccination Schedule

It’s important to keep with your vet’s recommended vaccine schedule so that these shots provide the desired immunity.  

If vaccines are not given in the appropriate time frame, they will likely be ineffective. To provide your kitten with the best chance of avoiding these potentially fatal diseases if they miss a vaccine dose, starting the series over from the beginning is recommended.   

When Do Kittens Need Shots? 

Let’s look at the recommended schedule for your kitten’s shots. 

• 6–8 weeks: 

  • FVRCP required 

  • FeLV highly recommended 

• 10–12 weeks: 

  • FVRCP required (second in series) 

  • FeLV highly recommended 

• 14–16 weeks: 

  • FVRCP required (third in series) 

  • Rabies required by law 

  • FeLV highly recommended 

• 1–year booster: 

  • FVRCP booster required 

  • Rabies booster required by law 

How Much Are Kitten Shots?

Depending on the manufacturer and where you live, each vaccine costs roughly $25 to $60. Your kitten will also need a physical examination to make sure that they are healthy enough to get vaccines. 

The initial examination will be with your veterinarian, and follow-up exams are either with your vet or a certified veterinary technician.  

The cost for the initial exam can range from $50–$100 on average. The follow-up visit cost might be lower with a technician.

Kitten Vaccination Side Effects

Side effects of cat vaccinations are usually mild if they occur at all, although in rare instances, unexpected severe reactions can occur. Your veterinary team should discuss these possible issues with you, so you know what to monitor for. 

Mild side effects can include: 

• Tiredness 

• Mild fever 

• Soreness at the site of injection 

• Lump at the site of injection  

Moderate side effects can include: 

• Vomiting 

• Diarrhea 

• Loss of appetite   

More severe side effects include: 

• Facial swelling 

• Hives on the body 

• Trouble breathing 

• Shock 

Bring your pet to an emergency veterinary hospital if you see any severe side effects. 

If you have any concerns about your kitten after receiving vaccinations, contact your veterinarian or bring your pet in for a vet visit.  

They will help determine if it’s safe to continue with the vaccine series and may even recommend giving your cat medication (like a steroid or Benadryl) ahead of time to decrease the possibility of a reaction.