What Shots Do Kittens Need To Go Outside

The aafp advisory panel recommends administering felv vaccines to all kittens but considers the vaccine to be noncore for cats after their one year booster unless they are at risk of exposure.

What shots do kittens need to go outside. The feline viral rhinotracheitis calicivirus and panleukopenia vaccinations often come in a combination shot fvrcp which is sometimes called the distemper shot your cat may need extra shots. The most secure means of identification is a microchip. After that they ll only need annual boosters. Regardless of vaccine status outdoor cats should be retested every year to determine if they have been exposed.

First year kitten shots many of your kitten s initial shots will be given as a series of boosters every 3 4 weeks. An initial vaccination course is made up of two separate injections three to four weeks apart. Before your kitten can go outside freely. Cats can be born with feline leukemia so it is recommended to test kittens at a young age for exposure.

Collars with tags should have a safety clasp and be securely fitted. According to the american association of feline practitioners aafp the core vaccines those that are recommended for all cats are feline panleukopenia virus fpv feline herpesvirus 1 fhv 1 and feline calicivirus fcv as well as rabies. Non core kitten vaccinations include feline leukemia felv feline immunodeficiency virus fiv feline infectious peritonitis fip chlamydophila felis and feline giardia vaccines. If you have an outdoor only or an indoor outdoor cat then they will need shots as well.

To achieve the best protection possible your kitten will need boosters over the first several months of their life at least until they are between 16 20 weeks old. They ll need the feline distemper vaccine and rabies. The felv vaccine is recommended by some veterinarians for all kittens while others recommend the vaccine only for those kittens at risk of disease. Make sure they are identifiable.

Kittens must be over 12 weeks old at the time of the second vaccination. The specific shots your kitten should have will depend on where you live whether your cat will roam the neighborhood or stay inside and whether you have other cats co ruling your home. I recommend starting vaccinations at about 8 weeks of age continuing until the kitten is 4 months old.