Understanding Cat Vaccinations: What Your Feline Friend Needs

Bringing your cat in for their shot may seem like something a good pet owner just does as part of their pet’s wellness plan, but why are cat vaccinations so important? Sacramento Cat Hospital feels that it is essential that all pet owners understand feline vaccines, and why pets need them to stay healthy. 

Why Vaccinate?

Almost all pets need vaccines of some kind to stay healthy and safe, and many California jurisdictions require at least rabies vaccinations. 

Young kittens, older pets, and immunocompromised animals can be at increased risk of diseases due to decreased immune function. It is important to protect them as much as possible.

Vaccines are a way to expose the body to a bacteria or virus, and to help it form a natural immune response. This response means if the bacteria or virus is ever encountered again, the body is ready to fight it off. Protecting your pet is an important part of wellness care!

Non-Core and Core Vaccines for Cats

Not every pet needs every vaccination. Some cat vaccinations are considered core, or essential, though. These include:

• Rabies – Rabies is such a serious disease that is nearly 100% fatal, as well as transmissible to humans. It is important for all pets to be kept up-to-date on this vaccine. Even indoor pets can be exposed.
• Feline Distemper – The cat distemper vaccine is also considered a core vaccination. It is a combination vaccine that protects felines patients against feline rhinotracheitis and calicivirus, which can cause respiratory infections. It also provides immunity against panleukopenia (distemper), a severe and often deadly disease that can cause severe diarrhea and immune suppression.

The feline leukemia vaccine is considered a non-core cat vaccination, but is often recommended for cats who go outdoors, live in high-exposure homes, or are under two years of age (due to decreased immune response to the virus). 

It is important that our team evaluate each pet individually, and determine which vaccines are necessary based on lifestyle and risk factors. 

Vaccination Timeline

Kittens should start their vaccination series between 6 and 8 weeks of age. They must receive a series of boosters in order to provide full protective immunity. Cats are not considered fully vaccinated until around four months of age. 

Your cat will also need to have vaccine boosters around one year of age. After this, some vaccinations may not need to be administered annually. Your pet’s needs and exposure risk may influence the frequency that they need to be updated on their vaccinations. 

Please let us know if you have questions or concerns about vaccinating your cat. Our goal is to keep your feline friend as healthy as possible, and that starts with good wellness care.