Which Vaccines Do Cats Need?

Cats are prone to a variety of diseases, but thankfully, vaccines can help decrease the likelihood of them contracting some serious diseases. Vaccines help your cat fight off diseases by stimulating their immune system. Knowing which vaccines your cat needs and at what age they should be vaccinated will help you keep your cat healthy.

However, different vaccines work against different diseases, so more than one is needed. There are two core vaccines that all cats should get: rabies and FVRCP. In addition to these core vaccines, your veterinarian may recommend a FeLV vaccine if your cat interacts with other cats outside your household.

TLDR: When adopting an adult cat, prioritize two core vaccines: rabies and FVRCP. Vaccines such as FeLV may be recommended based on age and lifestyle risks. Kittens need a series of shots until 16 weeks, while adults with unknown history typically restart the vaccination schedule.

Why do we vaccinate cats? 

Vaccines can help prevent infection or decrease the severity of the disease if your cat becomes infected. Vaccines are especially important for diseases with no cure or treatment, and can be easily spread to other animals or people. (The rabies vaccine is required by law.) Unlike a treatment, vaccines must be administered before your cat is exposed to the disease for them to work. Additionally, one vaccine doesn’t protect your cat for life, so different vaccines will require a different cat vaccine schedule.

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If you’re worried about your cat reacting negatively to a vaccine, rest assured that tiredness and soreness at the injection site are common but should only last a day or so. Other side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, tumors at the injection site, or difficulty breathing, are far less common. The low likelihood of these negative reactions occurring is far outweighed by the vaccine benefits. If you or your veterinarian are concerned about potential vaccine reactions, a premedication, typically an antihistamine and/or a steroid, can be administered before vaccinating to help minimize most negative side effects.

What shots do cats need? 

If you’re wondering which vaccines your cat needs, talk to your veterinarian to see what is best for your cat. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) classifies cat vaccines as either core or non-core, and your veterinarian will utilize these classifications to determine which vaccines your cat may need. 

Core vaccines are vaccines that all cats should receive, while non-core vaccines are only recommended for cats considered to be at a high risk for a certain disease. The core vaccines your cat will likely need are as follows.

Rabies vaccine 

Rabies is a viral disease spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. Dogs, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, bats, and other animals can all contract rabies and give it to an unvaccinated cat. The virus infects the central nervous system and causes aggression, drooling, paralysis, seizures, and ultimately death. Most states legally require rabies shots for cats, dogs, and ferrets, since it is also a disease that can be spread to humans and has no cure.

Feline herpesvirus vaccine (FHV-1)

Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) is a virus that causes feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) and is highly contagious to other cats, but not people or dogs. The disease has no cure, but in most cats with mild infections, it can be managed. Conjunctivitis, eye and nose discharge, coughing, sneezing, and other symptoms are commonly seen in cats with FHV-1/FVR. This vaccine is the FVR part of the combination vaccine FVRCP.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) vaccine

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a virus that easily spreads among cats. Depending on the virus strain, it can cause severe but temporary oral disease and respiratory issues that can resolve with supportive care or life-threatening swelling, fever, liver damage, bleeding, and other symptoms requiring intensive hospital care. This vaccine is the C part of the FVRCP shot for cats.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) vaccine 

Another highly contagious virus in cats, feline panleukopenia is also known as feline distemper, feline parvovirus (FPV), and feline viral enteritis. It causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and even sudden death, especially in kittens. This vaccine is the P part of the combination vaccine FVRCP, despite commonly being referred to as a distemper shot.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine

The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine is a core vaccine for kittens who are less than one year old and helps prevent them from being infected with this deadly disease. It can be easily transmitted from a mother cat to a kitten, as well as through the bodily fluids of other cats.

Non-core cat vaccines

Unlike core vaccines, non-core vaccines are recommended for certain, but not all, cats. During your vet visit, your veterinarian will recommend which of these vaccines should be given to your cat based on their lifestyle and risk.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) vaccine

Historically, a feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) vaccine was available to help prevent this often-fatal viral infection in cats. But due to its potential to worsen the disease later in life, it is no longer recommended. Research to develop a new FIP vaccine is currently in the works, but until then, a new treatment called GS-441524 is thankfully available if your cat does become infected.

Feline bordetellosis vaccine

Bordetella bronchiseptica causes upper respiratory symptoms in cats. The severity of these symptoms can be minimized with the feline bordetellosis vaccine. This vaccine is commonly referred to as the Bordetella vaccine and it is typically only recommended in households with large cat populations and known infections in need of control.

Feline chlamydophila vaccine

Also known as feline pneumonitis and chlamydial conjunctivitis, feline chlamydiosis is the result of a bacterial infection. It causes eye infections and occasionally nasal discharge, with some sneezing. The feline chlamydophila vaccine does not completely prevent this disease, but it can decrease the severity and likelihood of infection in your cat.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine

Although it is a core vaccine for kittens less than a year old, the FeLV vaccine, which is often called the leukemia shot for cats, is a non-core vaccine for adult cats. If your cat goes outside or is exposed to other cats, they may be considered high-risk for this viral disease (which causes immune issues) and could benefit from vaccination.

How often do cats need shots? 

Vaccines can help prevent disease and severe infections in your cat, but no vaccine lasts forever. Vaccine boosters are needed throughout your cat’s life to ensure they have enough antibodies in their system to stay protected, even when they are seniors. Depending on the type of vaccine, revaccination is typically needed once a year or every three years. Alternatively, some vaccine titer tests are available to can see if your cat’s immunity to a disease is high enough that they won’t need a booster shot.

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What vaccines do cats need yearly?

If you have a new kitten or have adopted an adult cat with an unknown vaccine history, they will require more than one vaccine on a specific schedule to ensure they are appropriately protected. Core vaccines that your kitten or adult cat will need should be administered according to the following schedules.

Feline Core Vaccine Schedule

Commonly asked questions

What are the core shots for cats? 

The core shots for adult cats are rabies and the FVRCP vaccines. If your cat is less than one year old, the FeLV vaccine is also a core shot. Once your cat is more than one year of age, FeLV becomes a non-core vaccine and should only be given to cats who are at a high risk for the disease.

How much do cats cost?

There is, unfortunately, an overpopulation of cats, so they are often available for free or for a small adoption fee. Expect to spend more on food, supplies, and veterinary care than you do to adopt your cat. The amount you spend will vary depending on your cat’s age and health, along with your brand preferences for food, litter, and other supplies.

Do indoor cats need rabies shots?

Yes, indoor cats need rabies shots, even if you don’t plan on letting them outside. How often cats need rabies shots varies by state, with most legally requiring your cat to be vaccinated yearly or every three years.

References

AMC team. “Does a Titer Test Mean My Pet Doesn’t Need Vaccines? - the Animal Medical Center.” The Animal Medical Center, 27 July 2022, www.amcny.org/blog/2022/07/27/does-a-titer-test-mean-my-pet-doesnt-need-vaccines.

Brostoff, Terza, et al. “Feline Infectious Peritonitis MRNA Vaccine Elicits Both Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses in Mice.” Vaccines, vol. 12, no. 7, 24 June 2024, p. 705, www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/7/705, https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12070705.

“Chlamydial Conjunctivitis in Cats (Feline Pneumonitis) - Cat Owners.” MSD Veterinary Manual, www.msdvetmanual.com/cat-owners/eye-disorders-of-cats/chlamydial-conjunctivitis-in-cats-feline-pneumonitis. 

College of Veterinary Medicine. “Feline Leukemia Virus.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 11 Oct. 2017, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-leukemia-virus. 

“Core Vaccines for Pet Cats.” AAHA, 17 July 2024, www.aaha.org/resources/2020-aahaaafp-feline-vaccination-guidelines/core-vaccines-for-pet-cats. 

DeTar, Lena. “Feline Panleukopenia.” Merck Veterinary Manual, 4 Feb. 2025, www.merckvetmanual.com/infectious-diseases/feline-panleukopenia/feline-panleukopenia#Etiology. 

“Feline Bordetellosis.” Merck Animal Health USA, www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/nobivac/feline-bordetellosis. 

“Feline Calicivirus | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.” Www.vet.cornell.edu, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute/research-baker-institute/feline-calicivirus. 

“Feline Chlamydophila Disease.” Merck Animal Health USA, www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/nobivac/feline-chlamydophila. 

“FIP Treatment GS-441524 - Now Available in the U.S.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2024, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/fip-treatment-gs-441524-now-available-us.  

Gollakner, Rania, and Ernest Ward. “Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccination.” Vca_corporate, 2009, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-leukemia-virus-vaccination. 

“Rabies in Cats.” Vca_corporate, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/rabies-in-cats. 

Rupprecht, Charles E. “Rabies in Cats.” Merck Veterinary Manual, 6 Aug. 2018, www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders-of-cats/rabies-in-cats.

“Vaccines for Cats.” Vca_corporate, 2021, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vaccines-for-cats.