What initial vet care and vaccines does my 8-week-old kitten need?

Congratulations! What a beautiful kitten! Most vets start a vaccine series between 6-8 weeks of age, and will also deworm or check stool samples at the first visit. Following that, they typically need a visit/booster every 3-5 weeks until they are a few months old. The exact vaccines schedule will be individualized by your vet. They may also recommend parasite prevention or routine dewormers. Other things you can do at home include feeding a high quality kitten food, checking their urine and stool output and getting them used to being handled. Becoming well socialized is very important! Make sure they have plenty of vertical space like a cat tree, handle him gently and frequently - get him used to having his nail trims, etc. Don't let him bite you:) It looks like you are off to a great start!

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! I would recommend deworming the kittens and starting their first vaccinations (FeLV and FVRCP vaccinations). These vaccinations will need to be repeated two more times after the initial vaccine. These vaccinations will help develop immunity against Feline Leukemia, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia. I would also see if you can bring a fecal sample in for both of them to check for intestinal parasites. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! At 13 weeks of age, Waffles will need her Feline Calicivirus-Panleukopenia-Feline Herpes Virus vaccine. She will need this vaccine 2 more times, each time given 3-4 weeks apart. I would also recommend she get her Feline Leukemia Vaccine at this time as well, especially if you plan on having her as an outdoor cat. She will need to receive a booster on this vaccine in 3-4 weeks. Depending on what state you live in, she may receive her Rabies vaccine now or when is 16 weeks old. There may be an associated county tag required to purchase. In addition, she will need a fecal test, Feline Leukemia/Feline Immunodeficiency virus testing (small sample of blood is taken) to ensure she is negative for these two viruses. She may need to be dewormed if she has not already. This is a tasty liquid that is given to kitties orally. I would also recommend you seek additional council from your primary care veterinarian. They will best be able to provide a tailored vaccine plan depending on Waffle's current and future life style.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Vaccines start around 6-8 weeks for kittens. His first Vet visit can be earlier and the Vet can start deworming John. At 6-8 weeks John would get his first FVRCP vaccine (feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia). Kittens get this vaccine multiple times, usually every 3-4 weeks until they have been given 3-4. The rabies vaccines is given sometime between 12-16 weeks. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Congratulations! I recommend at 5 months for the first visit to consist of: fecal test, deworming even if the fecal test is negative, feline leukemia and FIV testing, the FVRCP vaccine every 3 weeks for a total of 2 and the Rabies vaccine. I also recommend spaying and neutering after 6 months of age. I recommend feeding ahigh quality kitten food like Purina Proplan, Hill's Science Diet or Royal Canin until 1 year of age. To watch the weight after 6 months I recommend meal feeding. I wish you the very best!

I would worry a little more about the new kitten passing on diseases to the older cat - viral upper respiratory infections in particular are common. I'd recommend vaccinating both cats with the FVRCP combo and rabies vaccines. If the cats are going to continue to be outdoors then the FeLV vaccine would also be recommended, and I actually usually recommend vaccinating all kittens for FeLV since you never know if their lifestyle might change.

Congratulations on your new kitties! I would recommend taking them to the vet for a check-up when you're able to. The vet will listen to their heart and lungs, and will also check for fleas, ear mites, and other problems that are common in stray cats. Usually, a fecal exam for parasites and FeLV/FIV testing would also be recommended. If they seem healthy, your veterinarian will probably also recommend having them vaccinated for feline distemper, feline leukemia, and rabies.