Kitten vaccine schedule: which shots, at what age, and adult cat boosters

The short answer: a clear kitten vaccine schedule protects a new cat during the weeks she's most vulnerable, then sets up a simple booster routine for life.

• 6–8 weeks: first FVRCP dose
• 12–16 weeks: FVRCP, FeLV and rabies
• A dose at or after 16 weeks
• 1 year: FVRCP and rabies boosters
• Next step: Plan it with the Pet Health Records ($5.49).

A clear kitten vaccine schedule protects your new cat during the weeks when she's most vulnerable, then sets up a simple booster routine for life. Below you'll find which shots kittens get at each age, what the core cat vaccines protect against, how often adult cats need boosters, and how to keep a record you can show a groomer, kennel or new vet.

Our Pet Health Records printable keeps vaccines, vet visits, medications and weight in one place to bring to each appointment.

This guide is general information to help you prepare for vet visits, not veterinary advice. Your veterinarian will tailor the plan to your kitten's health, history and whether she'll live indoors or go outside.

Kitten vaccine schedule by age

The kitten series is repeated every three to four weeks because antibodies from the mother can block a vaccine in young kittens. Those maternal antibodies fade at different ages, so the last dose given at or after about 16 weeks is the one that counts most.

Core cat vaccines: what they protect against

• FVRCP. A combination of feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), calicivirus and panleukopenia. The first two cause most cat colds, with sneezing, runny eyes and mouth ulcers. Panleukopenia, also called feline distemper, is severe and often fatal in kittens.
• Rabies. Rabies is a deadly virus that can spread to people. Vaccinating pets is one of the main ways to prevent rabies, and many states and localities require it for cats as well as dogs.
• Feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Spread through close contact between cats. It is recommended for kittens, then continued for cats that go outside or live with cats that do.

The Cornell Feline Health Center explains the benefits and risks of feline vaccines and why vets tailor the plan to each cat's lifestyle rather than giving every vaccine to every cat.

Adult cat vaccines: how often after the first year

Wondering how old your cat is in people terms? Our cat years to human years chart converts each age and notes when cats count as seniors.

1. FVRCP: many vets give this every three years once the one-year booster is done, for lower-risk adults.
2. Rabies: every one or three years, depending on the product and your local law.
3. FeLV: every one to two years for cats that go outdoors or mix with other cats; often stopped for indoor-only adults.
4. Annual checkup: even in years with no vaccines due, a yearly exam catches dental disease, weight changes and early illness.

Veterinary schools publish guidance that clinics use to set these intervals. The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine summarizes its vaccination guidelines for dogs and cats, including how intervals differ for indoor and outdoor cats.

Your kitten's first vet visit checklist

• Bring every paper you were given. Shelter or breeder records show which vaccines and dewormers are already done.
• Ask about FeLV/FIV testing. Especially for kittens from rescues, shelters or outdoor colonies.
• Plan parasite prevention. Fleas, worms and ear mites are common in young kittens.
• Discuss spay or neuter timing. Your vet will suggest an age.
• Ask about microchipping. It's often done at the spay or neuter visit.
• Book the next visit before you leave. The series only works if the boosters stay on schedule.

Indoor kitten or outdoor cat?

Lifestyle changes the plan. Indoor-only cats still need core cat vaccines, because viruses like panleukopenia can travel inside on shoes and cats sometimes slip out the door. Cats that go outside, visit a catio with neighbor cats, board, or live with outdoor cats usually keep getting FeLV boosters. Be honest with your vet about how your cat really lives, so you get the protection she needs without extra shots. For more on this topic, see our pet care hub.

Adopting an adult cat with no records? Vets usually treat an unvaccinated adult like a kitten with a shorter series: two doses of FVRCP three to four weeks apart, a rabies shot and, if the cat is at risk, two doses of FeLV after a negative test. After that, the cat moves onto the regular adult booster routine.

Budgeting for your kitten's first year

The kitten series usually means three or four vet visits in the first few months, plus spay or neuter, microchip and parasite prevention. Ask your vet for a first-year package or itemized estimate, and look for low-cost vaccine clinics run by shelters or local animal services. Spreading the cost across a few months is easier with a pets line in your budget. Our budget categories list shows where it fits.

Keep your cat's vaccine record in one place

Boarding, groomers, travel, a new vet and local licensing all ask for proof of vaccination. Keep each certificate in one folder, and note the vaccine, date and next due date. Have a dog too? See our guide to dog vaccines, the puppy vaccine schedule and our dog vaccination record book comparison.

Pet records made simple

The Pet Health Records ($5.49) printable has a profile page for each pet plus vaccine, vet visit, medication and weight logs and a pet sitter sheet. The Pet Health Record Book (Paperback) ($9.99) is the same system in a bound notebook. File it in the Household Binder ($6.99) with the rest of the family's important info.

Leaving your kitten with a sitter? Our pet sitter instructions template guide covers feeding, medications and vet contacts.