Puppies
Kitten vaccination schedule: what happens when
Kittens follow a similar series to puppies, with one important difference — feline leukaemia testing and vaccination depend on lifestyle.
How this was built: compiled from published veterinary guidance (AAHA/AAFP vaccination guidelines). Not a prescription — your vet sets your kitten's actual schedule.
The typical core schedule
| Age | Usually | Also |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | First core vaccine (FVRCP) | Deworming, flea treatment, first exam |
| 10–12 weeks | Second FVRCP | FeLV/FIV test if history unknown |
| 14–16 weeks | Third FVRCP | Rabies per local law; FeLV vaccine if outdoor risk |
| 16–20 weeks | Final in series | Microchip, spay/neuter planning |
| 12–16 months | Booster | Then every 1–3 years |
What FVRCP covers
- Feline herpesvirus — upper respiratory disease, lifelong latency.
- Calicivirus — respiratory and oral disease.
- Panleukopenia — a parvovirus-like disease with high mortality in kittens.
Rabies is legally required in many jurisdictions. FeLV is non-core: recommended for kittens that will go outdoors or live with an FeLV-positive cat.
Why the series repeats
Antibodies from the mother's milk block vaccines for an unpredictable number of weeks. Repeated doses catch the window when the kitten can respond. Missing a dose in the series is the most common reason a kitten ends up under-protected.
Panleukopenia is deadly and survives in the environment for a year or more. Keep an unvaccinated kitten away from unknown cats and away from areas unknown cats have been. This is stricter than the advice for most puppy diseases.
Cost
Typically $100–$250 for the series, plus the spay or neuter. Adoption from a shelter usually includes the first vaccines and the surgery, which is why adopting is cheaper than a private kitten in year one — see our annual cat cost breakdown.
Questions people ask
What vaccines does a kitten need?
Core FVRCP — herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleukopenia — given at roughly 6–8, 10–12 and 14–16 weeks, then a booster at 12–16 months. Rabies per local law.
When can my kitten meet other cats?
Only after the vaccination series is complete and known cats are vaccinated. Panleukopenia survives in the environment for a year or more.
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes for rabies where required, and generally for core vaccines — panleukopenia can be carried in on shoes and clothing.
How much do kitten vaccinations cost?
Commonly $100–$250 for the series. Shelter adoption often includes the first vaccines and the spay or neuter.