Vaccination is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your kitten’s health. Discover which vaccinations they may need, when to schedule them and how they support lifelong wellbeing.

Why are kitten vaccinations important?

During their first months of life, kittens are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases. Vaccinations help strengthen their developing immune defenses and protect them against potentially serious illnesses.

Following a veterinarian-recommended vaccination programme gives your kitten essential protection during this critical stage of growth—helping lay the foundation for a healthier life.

Which vaccinations does my kitten need?

Kitten vaccinations generally fall into two categories:

• Core vaccines: Recommended for kittens because they protect against serious and widespread diseases.
• Non-core vaccines: Recommended according to your kitten’s lifestyle, environment, location and potential exposure risks.

Every kitten is different. Your veterinarian will assess factors such as their age, health, living environment and future travel plans before recommending the most appropriate vaccination programme.

What do core vaccinations protect against?

Globally recognized core vaccinations protect kittens against:

• Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1): One of the major causes of cat flu, affecting the eyes and respiratory system.
• Feline calicivirus (FCV): Another common cause of cat flu, which can affect the mouth and airways.
• Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV): A highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that can cause severe vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration.

Depending on your kitten’s age, lifestyle and local risk factors, your veterinarian may also recommend vaccinations against diseases such as feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and rabies. Current veterinary guidelines recognise FHV-1, FCV and FPV as global core vaccinations, while other recommendations depend on factors including age and exposure risk.

When should my kitten be vaccinated?

Newborn kittens receive temporary protection through antibodies in their mother’s first milk, known as colostrum. As this protection gradually declines, vaccinations become essential for helping their immune system develop its own defences.

A kitten’s vaccination journey commonly includes:

• First vaccination: Usually begins at around six to eight weeks of age.
• Follow-up doses: Typically given every three to four weeks until at least 16 weeks of age.
• Booster vaccinations: Scheduled according to the vaccine used, your kitten’s health and their individual risk profile.

Veterinary guidelines recommend a series of vaccinations because antibodies received from the mother may interfere with how well an early vaccine works.If your kitten has already received a vaccination before coming home, ask the breeder, shelter or previous caregiver for their vaccination records and share them with your veterinarian.Until your veterinarian confirms that your kitten has developed adequate protection, keep them indoors and limit contact with unvaccinated animals or potentially contaminated environments.

Expert care starts with the right protection

Vaccination needs can change as your kitten grows. Regular veterinary check-ups allow their vaccination programme to be adapted to their health, lifestyle, travel plans and exposure risks.

Speak to your veterinarian to create the right vaccination programme for your kitten—and give them expert support for a healthy start in life.