Do Kittens Need Rabies Shots

Rabies is the other core kitten vaccination.

Do kittens need rabies shots. After this kittens and cats usually need booster vaccinations every twelve months. Fortunately reactions to vaccines are very uncommon in cats. What vaccines do kittens need. Kittens are vaccinated once every three to four weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age or older.

On average a kitten can receive his first rabies shot as early as 8 12 weeks of age although the standard is between 4 and 6 months and will need a booster to insure immunity a year later. Also many local and state governments have laws about vaccines like rabies. But that s probably not a very satisfying answer. In fact side effects of rabies vaccines in cats are very rare.

The cost for vaccines can vary within each clinic or hospital and they can change. The simplest answer is that rabies vaccines are required by law for all cats and dogs over the age of six months in new york state and many other states have similar requirements. 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. That cats could still be exposed to rabies.

A surprising to me number of cat owners argued that since their cats lived inside and were never allowed outside a rabies vaccination wasn t needed. To help protect kittens they ll need two sets of vaccinations to get them started. All kittens should receive vaccines for rabies upper respiratory infections and distemper. When they do happen they include slight fever lethargy decreased appetite and a localized swelling at the vaccine site.

These rabies vaccine side effects usually disappear within a few days. When to give vaccines. Far fewer cat owners said that the vaccination was still needed. By the time she reaches eight weeks old your kitten should see the veterinarian to begin a series of vaccinations.