What Vaccines Do Kittens Need At 8 Weeks

Fiv vaccination is reserved for cats at high risk for disease.

What vaccines do kittens need at 8 weeks. But after about six weeks old and eating solid food it s time for them to be vaccinated. When kittens are nursing antibodies in their mother s milk help protect them from infections. All kittens should receive vaccines for rabies upper respiratory infections and distemper. If certain risk factors apply to your cat your vet might recommend one or more of these non core vaccinations.

Fiv is a viral disease that is most often spread from cat to cat via bite wounds. Until your kitten is fully vaccinated and neutered you should keep him or her inside. On the other hand some vaccines are only needed depending on conditions that are specific to your cat their lifestyle or their environment. Kitties need several immunizations during their first year to protect them against serious.

Kittens should have their first set of vaccinations at nine weeks old and at three months old they should receive the second set to boost their immune system. The shots come in a series every 3 to 4. Your kitten will need to receive vaccinations for feline herpesvirus feline calicivirus and feline panleukopenia virus. And for kittens who wander the great outdoors even just occasionally your veterinarian may recommend protection against feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus.

By the time she reaches eight weeks old your kitten should see the veterinarian to begin a series of vaccinations. The core vaccines for cats are described in the table below. After this kittens and cats usually need booster vaccinations every twelve months. Most kittens are weaned by around 8 weeks and receive their first vaccinations around the age of 6 to 8 weeks.

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. I recommend starting vaccinations at about 8 weeks of age continuing until the kitten is 4 months old. Then they must be boostered a year latyer. Kittens should be tested for felv prior to vaccination.

According to the american society for the prevention of cruelty to animals aspca kittens take in disease fighting antibodies from the mother cat s milk when they nurse. If any cats in your home spend time outdoors you should also have your kitten vaccinated against the feline leukemia virus. Some vaccines might be given together in one injection that is called a combination vaccine.