Does My Kitten Need Vaccinations
Cat vaccinations are divided into two types.
Does my kitten need vaccinations. Core cat vaccinations are those that protect against especially common and or particularly dangerous diseases and are recommended for all kittens and adult cats. According to the american association of feline practitioners aafp the core vaccines those that are recommended for all cats are feline panleukopenia virus fpv feline herpesvirus 1 fhv 1 and feline calicivirus fcv as well as rabies. Discuss with your vet which vaccines are best suited to your cat. 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.
Vaccines are usually developed for diseases that are debilitating or life threatening and easily spread. Vaccinations by definition protect your kitten from contracting specific diseases. Remember your kitten won t be fully protected until several weeks after their second set of jabs so it s best to keep them indoors and away from any unvaccinated pets until your vet says they re safe to mingle with other cats and go outside. I recommend starting vaccinations at about 8 weeks of age continuing until the kitten is 4 months old.
Cats are commonly vaccinated against. How kitten vaccinations work. Why does my cat need vaccinations. The shots come in a series every 3 to 4.
Why does my cat need vaccinations. They are not available for all infectious diseases although vaccines should protect against some severe infectious diseases commonly found in felines. Core vaccines are recommended for all kittens and non core vaccines are given depending on the risk to an individual cat. Then they must be boostered a year latyer.
What diseases can vaccinations protect against. Cat vaccinations can get confusing. Cat vaccines can be divided into two different types. Some diseases pose a major risk to cats and kittens and can even kill but thankfully vaccinations can reduce the risk.
Additionally kitten vaccinations are a condition of boarding for most reputable catteries and they are completely necessary if you want to travel abroad with your cat or kitten. Kittens can start their vaccinations from nine weeks old and will need a second set of injections usually 2 4 weeks after their initial set to complete their course. While cat and kitten vaccinations are not an emergency procedure they do prevent several infectious diseases that can lead to a visit to a pet emergency clinic such as cat flu feline infectious enteritis feline chlamydophilosis and feline leukaemia virus. Until your kitten is fully vaccinated and neutered you should keep him or her inside.
Not only are there different schedules and needed vaccines for cats and kittens but there are also some extra vaccines for different lifestyles. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. It s difficult for pet parents to understand their cat s vaccination schedule from which ones they need to how often they need them.