Feline Vaccination Guidelines

By the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines

(Core Vaccines Only)

Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
  • Cats < 12 weeks old: vaccinate at initial visit (if over 6 weeks) and then every 3-4 weeks until over 12 weeks old

  • Cats > 12 weeks old: administer two doses 3-4 weeks apart

  • Booster: One year after primary vaccination, then no more frequently than every 3 years.

  • Highly recommended for all cats.

  • Caution: Some vaccines types should not be used for pregnant queens or kittens < 4 weeks old.
Feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus (FHV/FCV)
  • Cats <12 weeks old: vaccinate at initial visit (if over 6 weeks) and then every 3-4 weeks until over 12 weeks old.

  • Cats >12 weeks old: administer two doses 3-4 weeks apart.

  • Booster: One year after primary vaccine and then every 3 years.

  • Highly recommend for all cats

  • Caution: some vaccine types should not be used for pregnant queens or kittens < 4 weeks old.
Rabies
  • Highly recommended in all cats.

  • Required by law in some regions of the country, and veterinarians must comply with state and local statutes regarding type of vaccine to be used and vaccination interval.
Feline Leukemia
  • Cats < 12 weeks old: In cats as young as 8 weeks old administer 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart.

  • Cats> 12 weeks old: Administer 2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart and annually thereafter.

  • Highly recommended for cats that are not restricted to a closed, indoor, FeLV negative environment. Not recommended for cats >16 weeks old with minimal to no risk of exposure to FeLV infected cats.