Do Kittens Really Need Shots

These vaccines help protect against upper respiratory diseases herpes and fatal viruses.

Do kittens really need shots. Until your kitten is fully vaccinated and neutered you should keep him or her inside. Do not vaccinate adult cats for felv even if they have access to the outdoors since natural immunity to this disease is very strong by the time the cat is 1 year of age. To help protect kittens they ll need two sets of vaccinations to get them started. And even adult cats will need an initial series of shots and boosters for certain vaccinations to achieve the best level of protection.

Kittens should have their first set of vaccinations at nine weeks old and at three months old they should receive the second set to boost their immune system. After this kittens and cats usually need booster vaccinations every twelve months. Vaccines kittens need the first series of shots a kitten will usually get is a drcc fvrcp vaccination against feline distemper panleukopenia rhinotracheitis and calici virus. It is important to discuss vaccination recommendations with your veterinarian since the timing of intervals between vaccinations may vary depending on the age of the kitten.

Those that protect against the most common and most serious diseases. To achieve the best protection possible your kitten will need boosters over the first several months of their life at least until they are between 16 20 weeks old. For rabies i feel they should get every three years there is no justifiable reason to vaccinate outdoor cats anymore so. From the kitten s perspective it really doesn t matter since all kittens have similar health needs and vaccination requirements.

If you have an outdoor only or an indoor outdoor cat then they will need shots as well. The shots come in a series every 3 to 4. Kittens should receive this shot at 6 8 weeks because they are very vulnerable to calicivirus and distemper. Most animals need only what are known as core vaccines.

The fvrcp vaccine is important for all cats including indoor cats because it protects against three viruses that are airborne and spread without cat to cat contact. They ll need the feline distemper vaccine and rabies. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. Then they must be boostered a year latyer.