Vaccinations
Feline Vaccinations
Feline vaccinations play a vital role in protecting cats from infectious diseases, some of which are potentially fatal.
Cats can be exposed to infectious diseases from their environment, other pets or even humans.
Vaccinating kittens/cats is one of the most important things you should do as a feline owner.
Why are vaccines important?
- helps to prevent the spread of communicable diseases
- protect them from deadly diseases
- protect vulnerable cats from becoming seriously ill
Kittens
A kitten’s first vaccination can be done from 7 weeks old, and they will require two vaccinations to get them started.
Once the first vaccination is given, the second will be given three to four weeks later.
If the vaccination is not done within this timeframe, the vaccinations will need to be restarted due to the built up in immunity.
You will receive a vaccination card with the date that will require you to bring them back for the second vaccination.
Once the initial set of vaccinations are done, you will be required to bring them back for yearly boosters.
What vaccinations are given (core vaccinations)
- FELV (Feline Leukaemia)
- Tricat - three strains of cat flu
Catitude include both vaccinations for a kitten within the adoption package. Yearly boosters are then at the owner’s cost.
Cats/Senior Cats
Cats require a yearly booster. Vaccinating yearly helps cats to build up the immunity towards any diseases and keeps them happy and healthy.
What vaccinations are given (core vaccinations)
- FELV (Feline Leukaemia)
- Tricat - three strains of cat flu
Cats do not need to be vaccinated against everything every year. They need Alicia day herpes virus (cat flu) vaccination every year and then every three years they will need
FELV (Feline Leukaemia) and Panleukopenia as well, known as Tricat + FELV
Catitude include one vaccination within the adoption package. The second vaccination is at the owner’s cost. However, you have the option for Catitude to include the second vaccination for £25.
A note on Senior Cat vaccinations
Whilst we recommend keeping your senior cat's vaccinations up to date throughout their life, if they develop other medical conditions they may actually be better off without them. We strongly recommend that annual vaccinations are always discussed with your veterinary practice.
Indoor kittens/Cats
Indoor kittens/cats still need to be vaccinated, as other pets and humans can bring germs and diseases in from outside. This keeps them protected from a large range of extremely contagious diseases.
In addition to the above, all vets recommend that indoor cats and kittens are vaccinated to help protect them if:
- they escape to the outside
- they go for grooming
- they have to stay at a boarding facility (all of whom require every cat to be vaccinated)
- other pets such as dogs are brought into the home, even for a brief visit
Note: Regardless of whether you are adopting an indoor or outdoor cat/kitten, the costs and procedures for their vaccinations are the same as the above.
Vaccinating kittens/cats is one of the most important things you should do as a feline owner.