What shots and vaccines are important for my kitten's first year?

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!

Hello. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Great question! The recommended vaccination schedule for kittens is first shots at 8 weeks of age and then two sets of boosters at 12 and 16 weeks of age. You would be surprised how many times an owner has told me the kitten "had all of it's shots already" only to find out it only received one set. If Roky at all three sets of vaccines as stated above, then no, he doesn't need boosters. If the vaccine booster sets were not given at the correct interval (every 3-4 weeks) then he would need a booster. If Roky only received one set of vaccines or two sets, then he would need an additional booster. No offense, but if the vet is recommending the vaccine boosters then it is likely necessary. I would go with what the vet says before going with what the rescue says. It is a small price to pay to make sure he has the proper immunity going forward. Even if he is indoors only you want to make sure he has been properly vaccinated just in case he gets outdoors (this happens a lot). Also, I don't know where you live but in cases of emergencies (like hurricanes) people have to evacuate and the animals are sometimes boarded or kept with other animals that may have never had vaccines. The vaccines are for his protection. At the end of the day, it is up to you whether or not you want to do the boosters. I personally think it is better to be safe than sorry and get him the boosters. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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!

Excellent question. The main vaccination(s) they need are: 1) FVRCP- a combo upper respiratory vaccine. 2) And if they go outdoors they should get the FeLV (leukemia) vaccination, which is an infection that is spread through drinking water. 3) Then of course the Rabies vaccine, if it is required in your state. The FVRCP and Rabies vaccine can be given once a year for the first year, then once every 3 years. The FeLV vaccine is given yearly.

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.

Oh goodness, Kurama and the kitten are just adorable! At 3 months of age, it's the perfect time to give Kumara his second distemper/parvo combination vaccine. You may also consider bordetella (kennel cough), especially if he will be spending time around other dogs (grooming, boarding, dog park, etc) as well as leptospirosis, which has become more commonly seen in recent months in the northeast. At 16 weeks he'll get his final distemper/parvo booster, along with his rabies vaccination. You should also strongly consider a fecal test for parasites, as well as at least 2 deworming treatments. Your kitten will need 3 rounds of the feline distemper vaccine, starting at 8 weeks of age. Just like Kumara, she'll need rabies at 16 weeks. We are also recommending the feline leukemia vaccination for kittens, and also I recommend testing them for this disease as well as for feline AIDS. Dewormings for her as well as fecal tests are recommended. Here is a link to your closest Petco which has a Vetco clinic today, as well as on several upcoming days: https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/?zip=11210 They can fill you in on all costs, but you can expect around $15 - $25 for each vaccination, depending on the type.

If she is a warrior kitten, then Artemis is great name for her! Feline core vaccines include FVRCP (feline distemper combo) and a rabies vaccine. At four months of age, she will need two rounds of each vaccine given four weeks apart. You should do the FVRCP vaccine first, then two weeks later the rabies vaccine. The second FVRCP vaccine should be done four weeks after the first one, and the same goes for the rabies vaccine. It's not recommended to give the FVRCP and rabies together at the same time. Have plenty of toys for her to play with, and get interactive toys so you can play with her. I hope this helps!