What Vaccinations Does My Kitten Need?

Kittens usually need vaccinations against cat flu and feline infectious enteritis, while vaccination against feline leukaemia virus may also be recommended depending on their lifestyle and risk of exposure.

Your kitten will normally need an initial course while they’re young, followed by booster vaccinations as they get older.

If you’ve recently brought a kitten home, Rackheath Vets provides kitten vaccinations in Norwich and surrounding areas. Bring any vaccination paperwork from the breeder or rescue centre so your vet can see exactly what your kitten has already received.

What Diseases Are Kittens Vaccinated Against?

A kitten’s vaccination plan can vary, but vaccinations commonly protect against several infectious diseases.

Cat Flu

Cat flu is a respiratory illness that can cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny eyes, nasal discharge, a high temperature and reduced appetite.

Two viruses are commonly associated with cat flu: feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus.

Kittens can become quite unwell with respiratory infections, which is why protection against cat flu is usually included in their vaccination course.

Feline Infectious Enteritis

Feline infectious enteritis, also known as feline panleukopenia, is a serious viral disease.

It can cause symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and loss of appetite.

Vaccination helps protect kittens against the virus before they begin spending more time outside or coming into contact with other cats.

Feline Leukaemia Virus

Feline leukaemia virus, usually shortened to FeLV, can spread between cats through close contact.

Whether your kitten needs FeLV vaccination can depend on their lifestyle.

A cat that’s going to spend time outdoors and mix with other cats may have a different level of exposure from a cat that lives entirely indoors.

Your vet can discuss your kitten’s expected lifestyle and advise whether FeLV vaccination should form part of their vaccination plan.

When Should My Kitten Have Their First Vaccinations?

Kitten vaccinations begin while they’re still young.

The exact timing can depend on the vaccine being used and your kitten’s previous vaccination history.

If you’ve bought your kitten from a breeder or adopted them from a rescue centre, they may already have received part of their vaccination course.

Ask for their vaccination record before bringing them home.

Don’t assume they’ve completed the full course simply because you’ve been told they’ve had “their vaccinations”. Check exactly what they’ve received and the dates they were given.

How Many Vaccinations Does a Kitten Need?

Kittens usually need an initial course rather than a single injection.

Your vet will tell you how many appointments are needed and when your kitten should return for their next vaccination.

If your kitten has already received their first vaccination elsewhere, bring the record to the appointment. The vaccine used and the date it was given can affect what they need next.

If you don’t have any vaccination records, tell your vet rather than guessing.

When Can My Kitten Go Outside After Their Vaccinations?

Don’t let your kitten start roaming outside simply because they’ve had their first vaccination.

They need time to build protection after completing the vaccination course.

Your vet can tell you when it’s safe for your kitten to start going outdoors based on the vaccinations they’ve received.

There’s another reason not to rush it.

Before allowing a kitten outside, you’ll also want to make sure they’re microchipped and old enough to cope safely with being outdoors. If you’re planning to let them roam, discuss this with your vet during their vaccination appointments.

Does an Indoor Kitten Still Need Vaccinations?

Keeping a cat indoors doesn’t automatically mean vaccinations can be skipped.

Indoor cats have a lower chance of coming into contact with some infections, but their risk isn’t necessarily zero.

Cats can escape. Another cat might come into the home. You may eventually need to use a cattery. Their lifestyle can also change several years down the line.

Talk to your vet about how your cat lives rather than deciding based purely on whether they’re currently indoors.

What Happens at a Kitten Vaccination Appointment?

The vaccination is only one part of the appointment.

Your vet can examine your kitten and check their general health before giving the vaccine.

It’s also a useful time to ask about anything you’ve noticed since bringing them home.

That might include their eating habits, weight, toilet habits, teeth, behaviour or parasite treatment.

Bring any paperwork you’ve been given. A vaccination record, microchip details and information from the breeder or rescue centre can all be useful.

What If I Don’t Know If My Kitten Has Been Vaccinated?

This can happen with rescue kittens, strays or cats whose previous history isn’t clear.

Don’t rely on appearance or assume that a kitten must have been vaccinated by a previous owner.

Tell your vet what you know.

If you have any old veterinary paperwork, bring it with you. Your vet can then decide what vaccination schedule is suitable based on the information available.

Can My Kitten Have Their Vaccinations If They’re Unwell?

Tell your vet if your kitten has been unwell before their appointment.

For example, mention if they’ve been vomiting, have diarrhoea, aren’t eating normally, seem unusually sleepy or have developed respiratory symptoms such as sneezing or discharge from their eyes or nose.

Your vet can examine them and decide whether vaccination should go ahead that day.

Will My Kitten Need Booster Vaccinations?

Your kitten’s first vaccination course doesn’t provide lifelong protection against every disease.

Booster vaccinations may be recommended as they grow into an adult cat.

Different vaccines can have different schedules, so your cat won’t necessarily receive every vaccine at every appointment.

Keep their vaccination record somewhere safe. It makes checking what’s due much easier.

Kitten Vaccinations in Norwich & Rackheath

If you’ve recently brought home a kitten, checking their vaccination history should be near the top of your list.

Rackheath Vets provides kitten and cat vaccinations for pet owners in Rackheath, Norwich and surrounding areas.

If you’re unsure what your kitten has already received or when their next vaccination is due, bring their vaccination record to the practice and our team can check it for you.

To arrange an appointment, contact Rackheath Vets on 01603 955056.