Vaccines for Kittens & Cats

Vaccination is a collaborative effort between our veterinary team and pet owners. Though some vaccinations are mandatory, others are recommended on a case-by-case basis depending on your pet's lifestyle. Vaccination is an important step to protect your pet against diseases that could cause a range of health concerns.

When should my pet receive their first vaccine?

Kittens should be scheduled for their first vaccine during their first few months of life. Your pet's vaccination plan includes a schedule of when they should take certain vaccinations, including first doses and boosters. Your kitten will need more frequent vaccine appointments from 6 to 8-weeks-old until they are 16 weeks of age, since they receive a round of vaccinations every 4 weeks. As your pet enters adulthood, the frequency decreases, with some pets only needing boosters every year or two years. To discuss your pet's vaccination plan, please contact us at 604-522-3344.

What lifestyle factors impact my pet's vaccination plan?

While all vaccination plans include core vaccines necessary for all pets, some also include non-core vaccines. Non-core vaccines are only recommended for some pets, depending on how susceptible they are to contract certain diseases. For example, suppose your cat or kitten is often close to other pets or in environments where they're likely to contract the disease. In that case, we'll recommend the chlamydophila and bordetella vaccines. Core vaccines your kitten and cat will need include:

• Feline calicivirus
• Feline rhinotracheitis
• Feline panleukopenia
• Rabies