What initial vet care and vaccines does my 8-week-old kitten need?
Congratulations on your new kitten! I would recommend taking Smokey for his first veterinary exam one day this week, if possible. At this visit, the vet will check his heart and lungs, palpate his belly, and make sure that he doesn't have any other problems like ear mites or fleas. A fecal exam for parasites, feline leukemia test, and first FVRCP vaccine for feline distemper and other common diseases should be done at this visit.
After that, the FVRCP vaccine will need to be boostered every 3-4 weeks until Smokey is 16 weeks or older. He will also need his feline leukemia and rabies vaccines at that time, and can be neutered anytime after 16 weeks of age.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025