When Do Kittens Get Their First Shots
Kitties need several immunizations during their first year to protect them against serious diseases.
When do kittens get their first shots. After that they ll only need annual boosters. Until your kitten is fully vaccinated and neutered you should. And even adult cats will need an initial series of. To achieve the best protection possible your kitten will need boosters over the first several months of their life at least until they are between 16 20 weeks old.
Adult cats need shots less often usually every year or every 3 years depending on how long a vaccine is designed to last. Fortunately they are able to get some protection from their mothers. When kittens are nursing antibodies in their mother s milk help protect them from infections. The most important things to watch out for are change in your kitty s behavior and energy levels.
For adult cats if you are not sure if your cat has had vaccinations previously or if you know that they have not had a vaccination appointment within the last 12 months your cat will need to restart their vaccinations with a primary course just as if they were a kitten. Sarah hi sarah it is not uncommon for kittens and cats to exhibit symptoms following their shots. Vaccination can begin at 8 to 12 weeks of age and requires a booster vaccine repeated three to four weeks later. Healthy kittens usually have wet pink noses although even a healthy kitten can have a warm dry nose occasionally.
Feline leukemia is a viral disease that can be transferred to kittens from their mother or through close contact with other infected cats. Nursing mothers provide antibody rich milk called colostrum. The specific shots your. Then they must be boostered a year latyer.
Adult cats can start the primary course at any time but if you know your cat is currently not protected by vaccination. These maternal antibodies provide kittens with temporary immunity against illness. Kittens can start their vaccinations from nine weeks old and will need a second set of injections usually 2 4 weeks after their initial set to complete their course. After this kittens and cats usually need booster vaccinations every twelve months.
The length of this immunity varies from kitten to kitten. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. Many of your kitten s initial shots will be given as a series of boosters every 3 4 weeks. Kittens must be over 12 weeks old at the time of the second vaccination.
Kittens should be tested for felv prior to vaccination. White noses and pads are not. In the uk most kittens have their first vaccination at nine weeks old and the second at 12 weeks. To help protect kittens they ll need two sets of vaccinations to get them started.
When to give vaccines. After that cats should be taken for a vaccination appointment every year although not all vaccines will be given at every. Remember your kitten won t be fully protected until several weeks after their second set of jabs so it s best to keep them indoors and away from any unvaccinated pets until your vet says they re safe to mingle with other. But after about six weeks old and eating solid food it s time for them to be vaccinated.
The shots come in a series every 3 to 4 weeks.