cat owners taking cat for walk

cat and kitten vaccinations

A vaccination schedule can help your kitten or cat avoid feline distemper, feline panleukopenia, FeLV, and other infectious diseases.

Help protect your pouncy kitten and give your (mostly) more dignified adult cat continued protection with routinely recommended vaccines.

Routinely recommended cat and kitten vaccinations and tests

  • Feline rhinotracheitis (FVR)
  • Feline calicivirus (FCV)
  • Feline panleukopenia (FP or “feline distemper”)
  • Rabies
  • Feline leukemia (FeLV)

Vaccinations can help protect your cat against preventable disease

Vaccinations help to prime the immune system so it can launch a defense if your kitten or cat encounters specific or dangerous germs.

doctor holding cat

Core vaccines are routinely recommended for all cats

Core vaccines are recommended for most cats to help protect the well-being of your furry pal. Some of these vaccines are delivered as part of a combination vaccine, like the FVRCP, instead of as individual injections.

  • Feline leukemia (FeLV):
    Veterinarians will often recommend a FeLV vaccination to help protect indoor-outdoor cats or other cats who may encounter them. Cats who have never received a leukemia vaccine (or who are overdue) should be tested for this virus prior to receiving the vaccine.

  • Feline panleukopenia:
    Vaccination can help protect your cat against this very dangerous type of parvovirus, which is sometimes called “feline distemper.”

  • Rabies vaccine: Rabies is also a risk for people. This vaccine, which is most likely mandated in your state, protects pets from contracting or spreading this fatal, incurable viral disease.


Non-core vaccines are recommended based on your cat’s lifestyle

Non-core vaccines are often recommended for cats that frequently go outside, where they may be exposed to sick animals or germ-contaminated areas.

  • Feline rhinotracheitis (FVR):
    Helps protect your cat against a major cause of recurring upper respiratory disease in cats.

  • Feline calicivirus (FCV):
    Helps your cat avoid a common cause of upper respiratory and oral disease in cats.


Your veterinary team can help with a vaccination schedule for your kitten or cat

Vaccine frequency recommendations are determined by your cat's age, lifestyle, area of the country, and vaccine history.

Keep your kitty’s vaccination records handy or visit MyBanfield or the Banfield app to access their vaccine history. You don’t want your pet to miss any necessary vaccinations.


An Optimum Wellness Plan is a smart, affordable way to stay on track

Our Optimum Wellness Plans® are yearlong packages of high-quality preventive care. We offer a range of packages designed for different needs, ages, and lifestyles, and each one includes routinely recommended vaccinations that help protect your furry friend against specific illnesses and disease.

Both our kitten and adult cat packages include vaccines for rabies, feline distemper, and feline leukemia. Learn more about packages

Mentioned in this article

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How Banfield can help with vaccinations for dogs and cats

Does your cat or kitten need vaccination assistance to help them stay happy and healthy? Banfield is here to help.

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What vaccines does your kitten need? What’s a good vaccine schedule for a grown-up cat?

We can advise on which vaccines your pet needs, and how often they need them, starting when they’re little and wiggly all the way through their senior years. We can also let you know when we recommend specific vaccines for health concerns in your area.

Has your pet had a reaction to a vaccine in the past?

Reactions to vaccines are rare, but always let us know if your pet has reacted badly in the past. We’re here with advice on protecting your pet.

Are you planning on traveling with your pet?

Talk to us during the planning stage so we can provide the necessary vaccinations and travel certificates you will need for your pet to travel.

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