What is the kitten vaccination schedule?

It is given starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age, then repeated every 3 to 4 weeks until the kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. Rabies is normally given once at 12 to 16 weeks, depending on your local law.

The reason for the repeating series is maternal antibodies. A kitten absorbs antibodies from its mother's first milk, and those antibodies block the vaccine from working. We do not know exactly when each kitten's antibody level drops, so vets give several doses to make sure at least one lands after the protection fades. Stopping after a single shot leaves the kitten unprotected.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine is recommended for kittens because they are the most vulnerable age group; it is usually given at 8 to 12 weeks with a booster 3 to 4 weeks later. Deworming is separate from vaccines and typically starts at 2 weeks of age, repeating every 2 weeks until 8 weeks, then monthly until 6 months. A fecal test checks for intestinal parasites. Schedule the first vet visit as soon as you get the kitten, ideally by 8 weeks, so the series can start on time.

Mild side effects are common for a day or two: soreness at the injection site, sleepiness, or a slightly reduced appetite. Call your vet right away if you see facial swelling, hives, repeated vomiting, or trouble breathing, which can signal a rare allergic reaction. Keep the kitten indoors and away from unknown cats until the series is finished plus one to two weeks. Adult cats still need booster shots, usually FVRCP every one to three years and rabies at the interval your local law requires.