A cat vaccination schedule is an individual plan, not a universal set of dates. The 2024 WSAVA global guidelines identify protection against feline panleukopenia (FPV), herpesvirus (FHV-1) and calicivirus (FCV) as core worldwide. The timing of the kitten series, later boosters, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and rabies vaccination depends on the cat’s age, records, product, risk and location. Your veterinarian must confirm the actual schedule.
A practical timeline to discuss with your vet
The table gives guideline starting points, not dates to book yourself. It reflects the WSAVA cat vaccination table; licensed products and local rules take priority in the individual plan.
| Stage | Guideline starting point | Confirm with the clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten primary series | Core FPV/FHV-1/FCV vaccines start no earlier than six weeks; injections are commonly repeated every three to four weeks until at least 16 weeks. Higher-risk kittens may need a different course. | Start date, product, interval and last primary-series dose for this kitten. |
| First follow-up | WSAVA suggests considering another core dose around six months rather than waiting until 12–16 months. | Whether this applies, and the precise next visit. |
| Adult with records | Later core boosters vary by product and exposure; low-risk cats may have longer intervals than high-risk cats. | Which vaccine is due, why, and the documented next date. |
| Adult with unknown history | The clinic assesses records and chooses a catch-up plan. | Which previous doses can be verified and how to proceed. |
| FeLV and rabies | FeLV depends on age, local prevalence and exposure; rabies depends on location, law and product. | Testing, risk, travel requirements and authorised schedule. |
This overview is not a prescription or a reminder calculator. Follow the schedule recorded by your veterinary team.
Which vaccines are core for cats?
WSAVA identifies FPV, FHV-1 and FCV as core for pet cats worldwide. They are often presented together in a combination vaccine, but the clinician still needs to check the exact product and history. Maternal antibodies can interfere with early kitten vaccination, which is why a single early appointment may not finish the primary series.
Later booster intervals cannot be inferred from the word “core” alone. WSAVA distinguishes lower-risk cats from cats with greater exposure, and different products can have different licensed instructions. Ask the clinic to write which vaccine was given and when the next review is due rather than simply marking the cat “up to date.”
What about FeLV, rabies and indoor cats?
FeLV risk can change when a cat goes outdoors, lives with an infected cat or enters a household with an unknown status. WSAVA treats FeLV as core for kittens in regions where the infection is prevalent and for older cats with continuing exposure risk; it recommends testing before vaccination. Do not assume every indoor cat has the same risk or that vaccination replaces preventing exposure.
Rabies recommendations and legal requirements depend on where the cat lives and travels, as well as the vaccine product. Share your exact location and any destination with the clinic. The AAHA/AAFP feline vaccination guidelines likewise frame vaccine selection around an individual cat’s age, lifestyle, environment and health rather than one standard chart.
What should you bring and save?
Bring the cat’s vaccination booklet, adoption papers, previous clinic records, estimated birth date and any documented reaction to a prior vaccine. Tell the veterinarian about other cats in the home, outdoor access, boarding, travel and plans to introduce a new cat. If the record is incomplete, say what is uncertain. Do not copy a schedule from another cat or repeat a dose on your own.
After the appointment, save the vaccine name, administration date, clinic, certificate and next confirmed visit exactly as documented. A vet-visit checklist can help you prepare, and the carrier-training guide can make the trip calmer. If a new cat is joining the household, first review the separate cat-introduction guide; vaccination status is one of the health details to discuss before contact.
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Frequently asked questions
When do kittens start vaccinations?
WSAVA's global guidance says the core injectable kitten series can begin no earlier than six weeks and is repeated until at least 16 weeks, with details adapted to the product and risk. Your veterinarian should set the actual visits.
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Indoor life changes exposure risk but does not remove the need for an individual vaccination discussion. Core protection and any local legal requirements should be reviewed with your veterinarian.
Does every cat need FeLV vaccination?
FeLV decisions depend on age, local prevalence and exposure risk. WSAVA recommends testing before FeLV vaccination and discusses it as core for young cats in regions where infection is prevalent and for older cats with continuing risk.
How often does an adult cat need boosters?
There is no single interval for every vaccine and cat. The product, previous doses, age, risk and local rules determine the plan; ask the clinic to write the next confirmed date on the record.
What if my cat has no vaccination record?
Ask previous clinics or the adoption organisation for documents and bring any reliable details to your veterinarian. Do not assume missing doses were given or restart a series on your own.
These articles offer general, everyday guidance. They do not replace advice from a qualified veterinary professional.
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