Core vaccines: every cat
| Vaccine | Kitten | First booster | Adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| FVRCP (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) | Every 3–4 weeks from 6–8 weeks until 16–20 weeks | At 6 months to 1 year | Every 3 years for low-risk cats; more often for cats that board or go out |
| Rabies | One dose at 12–16 weeks (state rules vary) | 1 year later | Every 1 or 3 years by product and state |
| FeLV (feline leukemia) | Two doses 3–4 weeks apart from 8 weeks, after a negative test | 1 year later | Continue for at-risk cats (outdoor, multi-cat); low-risk indoor cats may stop or go to 2–3 years |
Non-core vaccines
| Vaccine | Course | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia felis | Two doses, then yearly | Multi-cat households and catteries with known infection |
| Bordetella (cats) | One dose, then yearly | Catteries and shelters with outbreaks; rarely for pets |
By age, at a glance
| Age | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | First FVRCP. FeLV/FIV test. |
| 9–12 weeks | Second FVRCP. First FeLV. |
| 12–16 weeks | Third FVRCP. Second FeLV. Rabies. |
| 16–20 weeks | Final FVRCP if the series is still running. |
| 6 months to 1 year | FVRCP booster, FeLV booster, rabies booster. |
| Every year | Wellness exam; FeLV for at-risk cats; rabies if on a 1-year product. |
| Every 3 years | FVRCP for low-risk cats; rabies if on a 3-year product. |
Indoor cats
Rabies is required by law for cats in many states regardless of lifestyle, and FVRCP is core for every cat because the viruses travel on hands and clothes. FeLV is the one that depends on lifestyle; see the FeLV vaccine.
What catteries check
Rabies and FVRCP, sometimes FeLV. See cat boarding vaccine requirements.
Common questions
- Does an indoor cat need rabies?
- In many states, by law, yes, and vets recommend it everywhere: bats get indoors, and a bite from an unvaccinated cat has serious consequences for the cat.
Sources
Rules and guidelines change, and businesses set their own policies. Confirm with your vet and with whoever is asking.