Kitten Vaccination Schedule: Core Vaccines Explained
Kitten vaccination schedule: which core vaccines kittens need, why they come as a series from 6–8 weeks, boosters, side effects and questions for your vet.
Health guide
Not a substitute for a vet. If your animal is unwell, in pain or getting worse, contact a qualified veterinarian straight away.
Quick answer
Most kittens start their core vaccines at 6–8 weeks old and get a booster every 2–4 weeks until they're at least 16 weeks old. Another booster follows at around 6 months or 1 year. The core vaccines cover feline panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus, plus rabies where the law requires it or the disease is present. Your vet sets the exact schedule based on local disease risk and local rules.
Why kittens need a series, not a single shot
If a kitten's mother was vaccinated or has had these infections before, the kitten picks up protective antibodies from her first milk (colostrum). Those maternal antibodies guard the kitten for its first weeks, but they also stop vaccines from working properly. And nobody can say exactly when they wear off in a given kitten. Some lose them early. Others keep them until around 16 weeks or later.
Giving the vaccine every few weeks means one dose lands soon after the mother's protection drops away, which closes the window when the kitten is unprotected. That's why the last kitten dose is usually given at 16 weeks or older, and why a booster at 6–12 months is recommended: it catches any kitten that didn't respond the first time round.
The core vaccines
"Core" means recommended for every cat, wherever it lives and whether or not it goes outside.
| Disease | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Feline panleukopenia (FPV) | A parvovirus causing severe vomiting, diarrhoea and a collapse in white blood cells | Often fatal in kittens; the virus survives in the environment for months |
| Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) | A main cause of "cat flu": sneezing, eye and nose discharge, eye ulcers | Many cats stay carriers for life and flare up under stress |
| Feline calicivirus (FCV) | Another cat flu virus; mouth ulcers, fever, sometimes lameness | Spreads easily; some strains are severe |
| Rabies | A fatal viral disease of the nervous system that can spread to people | Core where rabies is present or where law requires it |
The first three usually come together in a single combination injection, often labelled FVRCP or something similar. The cat flu vaccines don't always stop infection. What they do is make a cat much less ill if it catches one of these viruses, and that matters a lot.
A typical kitten schedule (general pattern)
This is the widely used pattern. Treat it as an example, not a prescription: your vet may change the timing depending on the vaccine brand, your kitten's history and local risk.
| Age | Typical visit |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | First FPV/FHV/FCV dose, health check, deworming discussion |
| 9–12 weeks | Second FPV/FHV/FCV dose; FeLV first dose if recommended |
| 12–16 weeks | Further FPV/FHV/FCV dose (final kitten dose at 16 weeks or older); rabies where required or advised |
| 6 months to 1 year | Booster to complete the primary course |
| Adult | Boosters at intervals your vet recommends, often every 1–3 years depending on the vaccine and lifestyle |
For a kitten older than about 16 weeks, or an adult cat, adopted with no vaccine history, the vet will usually give two doses a few weeks apart instead of the whole baby series.
Rabies
Rabies rules vary a great deal between countries, and sometimes between regions of the same country. Some places require cats to be vaccinated by law. In others it's optional, or only needed for travel. The earliest age for the first rabies dose depends on the product and on local regulations. If you might travel or move abroad with your cat, talk to your vet early, because import rules can demand specific timing, microchipping and blood tests.
Non-core vaccines
Whether your kitten needs these depends on its lifestyle and where you live:
- Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV): spread through close contact such as grooming, sharing bowls and fighting. Many vets strongly recommend it for kittens, since nobody yet knows what lifestyle the kitten will have, and reassess for adults. A blood test before vaccinating is often advised.
- Chlamydia felis: a cause of conjunctivitis, sometimes used in multi-cat homes or catteries with a known problem.
- Bordetella: occasionally used in high-density settings like shelters.
Ask your vet what makes sense for your kitten. Adding every vaccine on the shelf isn't the goal.
Side effects: what's normal and what isn't
Most kittens show no reaction at all. These mild effects can be normal for a day or so:
- Sleepiness or being a bit quieter than usual
- Reduced appetite for a meal or two
- Mild tenderness or a small soft swelling at the injection site
- Mild sneezing after an intranasal vaccine
After the visit, let your kitten rest somewhere quiet and warm.
When to see a vet
Contact your vet straight away, or go to an emergency clinic, if after a vaccination you notice:
- Swelling of the face, lips or eyes, or hives
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, especially within hours of the injection
- Difficulty breathing, pale gums or collapse
- Lethargy or not eating for more than 24 hours
Have a lump at the injection site checked if it's still there three months after vaccination, if it's bigger than about 2 cm (roughly 3/4 inch), or if it's still growing a month after the injection. Most of these lumps are harmless reactions, but they should always be examined.
Making the visits easier
- Get your kitten used to a carrier at home first: leave it open with a soft blanket and treats inside.
- Bring the kitten's paperwork, including any breeder or shelter vaccine records.
- Write down questions in advance: deworming, flea control, neutering age and microchipping are usually discussed around the same visits.
- Ask for a vaccination card or certificate and keep it safe. You will need it for boarding, travel and sometimes for selling or rehoming.
Still choosing a kitten? Our guide on how to choose a healthy kitten covers which records to ask a seller for, and the cat care guide for beginners covers the first weeks at home.
In Pakistan
Rabies is present in Pakistan, so most vets recommend rabies vaccination for cats alongside the core combination vaccine. Many small-animal clinics in the bigger cities stock imported cat vaccines, but supply can be patchy in smaller towns, so call ahead. Prices differ between clinics and cities. Expect each vaccine visit to cost in the region of a few thousand rupees, and ask for a written vaccination card every time. Be wary of sellers who say a kitten is "fully vaccinated" at 6–8 weeks. At that age it can only have had its first dose, at most.
Looking for a kitten with proper health records? You can browse verified sellers on Paalo.
Frequently asked questions
Do indoor kittens really need vaccines?
Yes. Core vaccines are recommended for all cats, including indoor-only cats. Panleukopenia virus is extremely hardy and can be carried in on shoes and clothing, and cat flu viruses spread easily if a new cat joins the home or your cat ever goes to a cattery or clinic.
What happens if my kitten misses a booster?
Don't panic and don't simply skip it. Call your vet; they will usually restart or continue the series in a way that still gives full protection. Until the series is complete, keep your kitten away from unknown cats.
Can my kitten go outside after the first vaccine?
Not yet. A single dose in a young kitten may not give protection because of the mother's antibodies. Most vets advise waiting until a week or two after the final kitten dose before any outdoor access or contact with unfamiliar cats.
