Cat Vaccine Schedule: Core Shots and Booster Timing
The common cadence for core FVRCP shots and boosters, with your vet setting the final program.
Step-by-step checklist
- 01 Start at 8 weeks, every 3-4 weeks
- 02 Final dose after 16 weeks
- 03 Rabies per local law
- 04 Vaccinate only when healthy
- 05 Observe 30 minutes at clinic
- 06 Log batch numbers and dates
Overview
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Common practice starts FVRCP (panleukopenia, herpes, calicivirus) around 8 weeks, repeating every 3-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks so coverage persists after maternal antibodies fade; rabies follows local law, typically after 12 weeks. A booster follows one year after the initial series, with later intervals set by the vet based on vaccine type and risk.
Vaccinate only healthy cats: observe newcomers for one to two weeks with deworming done first, and postpone for fever, diarrhea, or lethargy. Stay at the clinic 30 minutes for acute reactions, avoid baths and major stress for two days, and treat facial swelling or vomiting as an immediate return while mild sleepiness is common.
Indoor-only cats still need core vaccines since pathogens ride in on shoes and clothing. Keep the vaccine book with brand, batch, and dates for every shot, and ask your vet about adult catch-up schedules or titer testing alternatives.
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Owner questions
My adult cat has unknown vaccine history. What now?
Ask your vet for a catch-up program, usually a primary course plus booster; titers may inform decisions in some cases. Follow the vet's plan.