When it comes to cat vaccinations, there is no one approach you can take. As every cat is different, so according to their age, overall health, and lifestyle, different doses of cat vaccination are given.

Generally, cat vaccines are of two types:

• Core Vaccine: These are high vaccines;y recommended by the vets.

• Non Core Vaccine: these are the types of vaccines that are sometimes recommended by your vet when the time comes. It can be related to your cat’s circumstances, or given looking at their lifestyle.

Whatever the vaccine is, be it core or noncore, it is important. That means you can’t skip it. Vaccines are scientifically proven to fight diseases that can become fatal. 

Cats, your beloved pet no matter how funny, or sometimes stoic or strong they look, they’re at risk of developing many life-threatening diseases. To fight off these life-threatening diseases, vaccinations play the main role.

Vaccinations act as the best way to protect your cat from getting dangerous diseases like:

• Feline Leukemia

• Rabies

• Panleukopenia

Alright now that you know about vaccines, you’re generally cautious. You might be thinking, “I need to know how vaccines work on my cat’s body, and how it helps protect it from diseases?”

Well to satisfy the craving of your curiosity, you the pet owner who is as curious as your cat, please read the below section:

Vaccines work on stimulating your cat’s immune system, to identify and fight a particular virus, bacteria, infection, or microorganism. Once your vet gives them the jab, your cat’s immune system is prepared to react to future infection with that virus.

A vaccine is a mimicry artist, perfectly mimicking the true virus, or infection, so that the immune system is prepared to protect your cat’s body in the future.

If you want your cat and kitten to live a long life as your companion, then yes, it is compulsory. They play a huge role when it comes to the longevity of your cat or kitten. Also, these vaccines are medically and scientifically proven to fight against many serious illnesses.

Vets recommend FVRCP and rabies vaccines to cats. As these issues are highly infectious, and deadly, that’s why they’re part of core vaccines.

Rabies or FVRCP is very dangerous to cats, but when you vaccinate them as per their schedule, they’re protected against it.

Vaccines are divided into 2, as said above. Core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Here is their detailed breakdown below:

Rabies Vaccine

This vaccine is given every year as rabies is a zoonotic disease, which means if your cat has it, your other pets will have it too, and soon you will too.

Rabies can cause serious issues and even death. That’s why a vaccine for rabies is something that you should never ignore.

FVRCP Vaccine

Consider this vaccine as a 3 in 1 vaccine. This is because there are 3 vaccines in one single shot, which makes it easier for vets and your cat to administer.

1 shot with 3 vaccines given 1 time is less painful than 3 shots given with 3 vaccines. That’s why, consider it for a noble cause from your vet’s side.

The 3 vaccines in this include:

• Feline rhinotracheitis virus/herpesvirus 1 (FVR/FHV-1)

• Feline Calicivirus (FCV)

• Feline Panleukopenia (FPV)

Remember we told you that the vaccines your cat gets depend on their lifestyle? Yes, so if you have an indoor adult cat, then this vaccine can be given every 3 years.

But if your cat is an adult, or too young, or stays a lot outside, then it is advised that you get them vaccinated with this every year.

If your cat is boarding, then you can even give them a booster shot 7 to 10 days before boarding.

Feline Panleukopenia (FPV)

This condition is also known as feline parvovirus. This is a highly infectious disease, and it has a high mortality rate among kittens. One of the common symptoms you can notice is less energy and less appetite.

Then with time this disease progresses to vomiting and diarrhea and starts killing off white blood cells. This leaves your kitten even more at risk of secondary infection.

Due to the severity of this disease, feline panleukopenia is a core vaccine for cats and kittens.

Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus/Herpesvirus 1 (FVR/FHV-1)

How do you know that your cat has his virus? It’s when they have signs of upper respiratory infection. A few of the symptoms include:

• Sneezing

• Nasal congestion

• Conjunctivitis

• Oral ulceration

• Pneumonia

Even after your cat manages to recover from this infection, the virus stays in the nerves in their latency period. When your cat becomes stressed, this virus can become activated, and they’ll start to show the same symptoms again.

As it causes respiratory infection, you must get your cat vaccinated against this disease. If they’re not treated, then with time their respiratory health will also start to decline.

Feline Calicivirus (FCV)

Calicivirus can give your cat an upper respiratory infection, along with sneezing and nasal discharge. This condition is thought to be associated with chronic gingivitis/stomatitis. This is a very painful problem of the gums and teeth.

If the strain of the virus is stronger and more violent, then it can cause your cat hair loss, crusting on other parts of the body, hepatitis, and in some serious cases, death.

FeLV Vaccine

Just like any Indian movie is released worldwide, this virus is also worldwide. This vaccine protects your cat against the leukemia virus, which is common among cats.

This disease is spread through:

• Saliva

• Urine

• Feces

This is spread when the infected cat comes in close contact with another cat (likely yours). This is very common if your cat groom with them or shares their bowls.

While many cats are lucky to recover from this, not all. The disease can be inactive in them for months, or even years. But when it gets activated, it starts giving your cat lymphoma, anemia, and even immunosuppression.

This vaccine has 2 doses that are given three to four weeks of gaps. But if your cat is an adult, they might need another dose.

Non-core vaccines are not required for all cats, but they may be recommended based on your cat’s lifestyle and exposure risk. These vaccines are given to cats in multi-cat households, catteries, or shelters where the chances of disease transmission are higher.

• Bordetella & Chlamydia Vaccines: Protect against upper respiratory infections (URIs) that cause sneezing, nasal discharge, and eye inflammation. Typically recommended for multi-cat households, catteries, and shelters where infections spread easily. Not part of routine vaccinations but may be necessary if your cat frequently interacts with other cats.

• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Vaccine: FIP is a fatal disease caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus. The vaccine is not widely recommended as it has shown limited effectiveness in preventing the disease. Most vets do not include it in standard vaccination schedules due to its questionable effectiveness.

Ah finally, after you’re done reading everything about the vaccines, you can now learn about the vaccination schedule of your cat. Well, several factors make your cat more prone to infectious disease, and your vet will consider these factors to work out your cat’s vaccination schedule.

However below are the common factors that will influence your cat’s vaccination:

• Medical history

• Age

• Vaccination history

• State laws

• Immunity

Below is the detailed breakdown of the cat vaccination schedule:

Kittens need a series of vaccines to help build their immune system from a young age. Here’s what their vaccination timeline looks like:

6–8 weeks:

• FVRCP (Core) – Protects against three serious feline diseases.

• FeLV (Core) – Safeguards against feline leukemia, a highly contagious and deadly virus.

10–12 weeks:

• FVRCP (Core; First or Second Shot) – Booster dose to strengthen immunity.

• FeLV (Core; First or Second Shot) – Second dose if not given earlier.

14–16 weeks:

• FVRCP (Core; Only if First Shot Given at 10-12 Weeks) – Final booster to complete the series.

• Rabies – Mandatory in most states and critical for preventing a fatal disease.

• FeLV (Core; Only if First Shot Given at 10-12 Weeks) – A must-have for kittens at risk of exposure.

1 Year After Initial Series:

• FVRCP Booster – Reinforces immunity for long-term protection.

• Rabies Booster – Keeps your cat safe from rabies.

Feline Calicivirus is another common viral infection among cats. Understanding its nuances and the benefits of vaccination is crucial.

FCV can cause a range of symptoms, from mild sneezing and fever to severe oral ulcerations and joint pain. It's highly contagious and can spread rapidly in multi-cat households.

Once your cat crosses the 1-year mark, their vaccination needs change based on their lifestyle and risk factors.

• Every Year: FeLV (Optional Non-Core Vaccine) – Recommended for outdoor and social cats.

• Every 1–3 Years: FVRCP – Indoor cats: Every 3 years. Outdoor, senior, or young cats. Rabies – Given annually or every 3 years, depending on state regulations.

The prices of cat vaccinations in India depend on:

• The city you live in

• The vet clinic

• Whether you go to a private or government facility

But to give you an idea, here’s a general price breakdown:

• Rabies Vaccine – ₹300 to ₹700

• FVRCP Vaccine (3-in-1 Shot) – ₹800 to ₹1,500

• FeLV (Feline Leukemia Vaccine) – ₹1,000 to ₹1,800

• Bordetella Vaccine – ₹500 to ₹1,200

• Chlamydia Vaccine – ₹600 to ₹1,500

Rabies is a deadly disease that can affect both cats and humans. Understanding the dangers and legal requirements for rabies vaccination is vital.

Rabies is transmitted through bites from infected animals and is always fatal once symptoms appear. It poses a risk to humans as well.

On average, you can expect to spend ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per year on cat vaccinations, depending on your cat’s age and lifestyle.

Many animal NGOs and government vet hospitals give vaccinations at lower costs or even for free during special drives.

The good news is that vaccine reactions are rare, occurring in only 0.52% of cats (52 in 10,000). Most side effects, if they happen, are mild and temporary. But in rare cases, serious reactions can occur. Here’s what you should watch out for:

• Soreness or swelling at the injection site

• Lethargy or mild fever

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Facial swelling

• Hives (itchy, red bumps on the skin)

• Respiratory distress (difficulty breathing)

• Injection site tumors (extremely rare but possible)

Mild side effects go away on their own within a day or two. But if your cat experiences serious symptoms like breathing difficulty, swelling, or persistent vomiting, get them to a vet immediately.

Vaccinations protect the vast majority of cats. However, no vaccine is 100% foolproof. There are situations where vaccine breakdowns can happen. This breakdown can lead to failure of the vaccine. Here are some reasons why this might happen:

• Variations Between Virus Strains: Sometimes, the virus causing the infection is different from the strain the vaccine is designed to protect against, reducing its effectiveness.

• Maternally Derived Antibodies: Kittens get some immunity from their mother’s antibodies, which can interfere with the vaccine’s ability to stimulate their immune system.

• Health or Stress at the Time of Vaccination: If your cat was under stress or not completely healthy when vaccinated, their immune response might not be as strong, which can lead to less effective protection.

Vaccinating your cat is not a choice, it’s a responsibility. Whether your cat is an adventurous outdoor explorer or a cozy indoor companion, vaccinations play a huge role in keeping them safe from deadly diseases.

Staying on top of your cat's vaccination schedule is the best way to avoid unnecessary vet bills and heartache. While mild side effects can happen, the risk of skipping vaccines is greater than any temporary discomfort.

Yes. Vaccination is the best way to protect your cat from contagious and life-threatening diseases like rabies, feline leukemia, and panleukopenia. Even if your cat stays indoors, they can still be exposed to viruses through humans, other pets, or through open windows and doors. Vaccines not only protect your cat but also prevent the spread of diseases to other animals and even humans.

The 3-in-1 vaccine, also known as the FVRCP vaccine, protects against three major feline diseases in a single shot:

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) – A severe upper respiratory infection caused by feline herpesvirus.

• Feline Calicivirus (FCV) – Another respiratory infection that can cause oral ulcers and pneumonia.

• Feline Panleukopenia (FPV) – Also known as feline parvovirus, a deadly disease that attacks a cat’s immune system.

Cats need two types of vaccines: core and non-core.

Core Vaccines (Important for Every Cat):

• Rabies – Protects against the fatal rabies virus (mandatory in most places).

• FVRCP (3-in-1 Vaccine) – Covers feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.

Non-Core Vaccines (Given Based on Lifestyle & Risk Factors):

• FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) – Recommended for outdoor cats or those in multi-cat households.

• Bordetella & Chlamydia – Helps prevent upper respiratory infections in high-risk environments.

Kittens need a series of vaccinations in their first year of life, followed by boosters for adult cats. The number of doses depends on the type of vaccine:

• FVRCP (3-in-1 Vaccine) – Given in 3 doses during kittenhood, then a booster every 1–3 years.

• Rabies – Given once as a kitten, then repeated annually or every 3 years based on local laws.

FeLV (if needed) – Given in 2 doses, followed by yearly boosters for at-risk cats.

The general vaccination schedule for cats is:

Kittens (Up to 1 Year):

• 6–8 Weeks: FVRCP, FeLV (first dose)

• 10–12 Weeks: FVRCP (booster), FeLV (booster)

• 14–16 Weeks: FVRCP (final dose if needed), Rabies, FeLV (final dose if needed)

• 1 Year After Initial Series: FVRCP booster, Rabies booster

Adult & Senior Cats (Over 1 Year Old):

• Every Year: FeLV (if needed)

• Every 1–3 Years: FVRCP, Rabies (based on vet recommendation)

The 4-in-1 vaccine is another name for an FVRCP+FeLV combination vaccine, covering four diseases in one shot. The schedule for this vaccine is:

• Kittens: Given in 3 doses, starting at 6–8 weeks, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.

Adults: Given once every 1–3 years, depending on risk factors and vet recommendations.

Yes, and they should be. The first round of vaccinations starts at 6–8 weeks of age, with the FVRCP and FeLV vaccines. Early vaccination helps build their immune system while they are still young and vulnerable to infections. Delaying vaccinations can put kittens at risk of deadly diseases.