Cat and Kitten Vaccinations: When to Vaccinate, Against What, and How to Do It Stress-Free
You bring your new kitten home, buy the bowls, a bed and a scratching post – and then comes the question almost every new owner asks: how does cat vaccination actually work? Does a cat that never leaves the apartment need shots too? And when should you start with kittens?
In this article you'll find a clear overview of which diseases cats are vaccinated against, what a kitten vaccination schedule looks like, how often adult cats need boosters, and how to get it all done without chasing your cat around the flat or stressing it out in a carrier.
Why is vaccinating cats important?
Vaccination protects your cat against diseases that are highly contagious and that often end badly – or even fatally – in unvaccinated animals, especially kittens. Treating these diseases tends to be long and demanding, while prevention is simple.
A typical example is the group of viruses behind so-called cat flu, which can make cats seriously ill. Parasites can weaken a cat's immunity as well – read more in our article on tapeworms in cats.
Which diseases are cats vaccinated against?
Cat vaccines are divided into core vaccines, which we recommend for every cat, and non-core vaccines, which we choose based on the individual cat's lifestyle.
Core vaccination – the “three-in-one” combo
The core combination vaccine protects against three diseases: feline panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. The last two are the main causes of cat flu.
Panleukopenia is particularly dangerous for kittens – it causes severe diarrhea, vomiting and a collapse of the immune system. The virus is also extremely resistant in the environment and can survive there for many months.
Rabies
Unlike for dogs, rabies vaccination of cats is not compulsory by law in the Czech Republic. It is required, however, for travel abroad, for shows, and often when boarding your cat at a pet hotel.
To travel within the EU, a cat needs a microchip, a pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination. The vaccine can be given from 12 weeks of age at the earliest, and for travel purposes it becomes valid 21 days after the first dose.
Feline AIDS (FIV)
There is no vaccination against FIV (feline AIDS) in our country. The risk of infection is reduced mainly by neutering and by limiting fights with other cats.
When should kittens be vaccinated? The vaccination schedule
Kittens receive their first antibodies from their mother's milk. This protection gradually fades and can also weaken the effect of a vaccine – which is why kittens are vaccinated in several doses.
A typical schedule looks like this: the first vaccine at around 8 weeks of age, the second at around 12 weeks and the third at around 16 weeks. A booster follows at 6 to 12 months of age, as recommended by the vet and the vaccine manufacturer.
We always tailor the exact plan to the kitten's age, health and the environment it lives in. Every dose is recorded in the vaccination card or pet passport.
How often should an adult cat get booster shots?
Once the kitten series is complete, adult cats are usually revaccinated every 1 to 3 years. It depends on the type of vaccine and on how much risk the cat is exposed to.
Cats that go outdoors, stay in pet hotels or live in larger cat groups need more frequent boosters against cat flu. Low-risk indoor cats can often have a longer interval. You'll always find the date of the next vaccination in the vaccination card.
Do I need to vaccinate a cat that lives only indoors?
Yes – even for a cat that never goes outside, core vaccination makes sense. You can bring the panleukopenia and cat flu viruses home on your shoes, clothes or hands.
The risk increases if visitors with pets come to your home, if you plan to get another cat, or if you occasionally leave your cat at a pet hotel. For indoor cats we usually choose only the core vaccines and longer booster intervals.
How to prepare for the vaccination
Only a healthy cat should be vaccinated. If your cat is tired, not eating, sneezing or has diarrhea, it's better to postpone the appointment and consult the vet.
About 1 to 2 weeks before vaccination it's a good idea to deworm your cat so that parasites don't weaken its immune system. If your cat is scratching, check it for fleas as well.
Vaccination is also a good opportunity for a full preventive check-up, in which the vet listens to your cat's heart and lungs and checks its eyes, ears, coat and mouth. If you'd like one, mention it when booking – the clinical check-up is charged separately.
Vaccine side effects: what's normal and when to pay attention
After vaccination, your cat may be more tired for a day or two, eat less or have a slightly raised temperature. The injection site may be a little tender. These signs usually go away on their own.
Rarely, an allergic reaction occurs – swelling of the head, itching, vomiting or difficulty breathing, most often within minutes to hours after the vaccination. In that case, call a vet or our animal ambulance immediately. When a situation counts as an emergency is covered in our article Veterinary Emergency Care: When to Call an Ambulance.
If you feel a lump at the injection site that grows after a month or persists for longer than 3 months, have it checked.
Vaccinating your cat at home or at the clinic?
Medically, the vaccination is the same. The difference lies in how the cat itself copes with it. For many cats, the hardest part of the whole visit is the journey in a carrier and a waiting room full of unfamiliar smells and sounds.
With a veterinary home visit, there's no chasing your cat into a carrier and no stressful car ride. Your cat stays in its own environment, and the vet also gets to see how it lives.
Transport is charged by the actual kilometers driven from Prague 2 (49–66 CZK/km depending on the vehicle), and the minimum price of a veterinary callout is 2,000 CZK including transport. If you have several cats, we vaccinate them all during one visit – the vaccination procedure is charged per cat, but you only pay for the callout once.
If you'd rather come to us, we of course also vaccinate at our clinic in Prague 2.
How much does it cost to vaccinate a cat?
The price of vaccination with us consists of two parts: the vaccination procedure (990 CZK per animal) and the price of the vaccine itself. You'll find the full overview in our price list.
The core combo against panleukopenia, calicivirus and herpesvirus costs 290 CZK (Biofel PCH) or 490 CZK (Purevax RCP). A rabies vaccine costs 250 CZK (Biocan R, booster after one year) or 390 CZK (Nobivac R, first booster after one year, then only every 3 years).
Vaccinating your cat with the core combo therefore costs 1,280 to 1,480 CZK with us. For vaccination at your home, the callout price described above is added. We can deworm your cat during the same visit for 250–500 CZK depending on its weight.
During the same visit we can also check your cat's teeth. We can now treat tartar in our mobile dental unit.
How do I book a vaccination?
You can book a vaccination at home through our veterinary home visit form. Just mention the number and age of your cats in the note, and we'll suggest a suitable date.
Not sure which vaccines your cat needs, or has the booster date passed? Start with a phone consultation – the vet will go through the vaccination card with you and recommend next steps.
Summary
Every cat should receive the core vaccination against panleukopenia and cat flu – including cats that live only indoors. Kittens are vaccinated in several doses from roughly 8 to 16 weeks of age, and adult cats receive boosters depending on the vaccine type and their lifestyle.
You'll need rabies vaccination mainly for travel and shows. And if your cat hates travelling, we can vaccinate it right in your home – no carrier and no stress.
You can book a veterinary home visit here.
You can request a veterinary ambulance (for acute cases) here.
You can book an appointment at our clinic in Prague 2 here.
You can book a remote phone consultation here.
Note: All information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. None of the information here is intended to replace a medical diagnosis and should not be considered medical advice or a recommended treatment.
* Image source: ChatGPT
