Kitten Vaccination Schedule: Which Shots & When

A common US schedule starts with FVRCP at 6 to 8 weeks, followed by boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until your kitten is 16 to 20 weeks old. Rabies is usually given once a kitten is at least 12 weeks old, though timing can vary with state or local law and the product your clinic uses. FeLV is commonly started during the kitten series, often around 8 to 12 weeks, with a booster 3 to 4 weeks later.

After the kitten series, most cats need a booster about 1 year later. After that, many FVRCP vaccines are repeated every 3 years, rabies may be annual or every 3 years depending on law and vaccine label, and FeLV boosters depend on ongoing exposure risk. Indoor-only adult cats may not need every non-core vaccine, but kittens are treated differently because their future exposure can change.

FVRCP is a core vaccine because it protects against three important infections: feline panleukopenia virus, feline herpesvirus-1, and feline calicivirus. Panleukopenia can be severe and sometimes fatal in young kittens. Herpesvirus and calicivirus are major causes of upper respiratory disease and can spread quickly where cats live closely together.

Rabies is also considered core in cats because it is fatal and can affect people as well as animals. In many areas, rabies vaccination is legally required. FeLV is now widely treated as core for kittens and cats under 1 year old because younger cats are more vulnerable, and exposure risk is not always predictable early in life.

Kittens are not over-vaccinated when they receive a series. The repeated visits are meant to work around maternal antibodies, which can block a vaccine from creating strong protection if the shot is given too early. Those antibodies fade at different rates in different kittens, so a series spaced every few weeks improves the chance that immunity develops at the right time.

That is also why the final kitten booster matters so much. If a kitten stops the series too early, there may be a gap between fading maternal protection and true vaccine protection. Your vet may also recommend a later booster depending on your kitten's age, health, and vaccine history.

Many pet parents are surprised to hear that indoor kittens still need core vaccines. Viruses like panleukopenia can be carried indirectly on clothing, shoes, hands, or objects, and indoor cats can still escape, travel, or be exposed to new cats later in life. Rabies rules also do not always make exceptions for indoor-only cats.

FeLV decisions in adulthood are more lifestyle-based, but for kittens, early vaccination is often recommended because future exposure is hard to predict. If your kitten lives with other cats, may go outdoors, may board, or may meet foster cats, your vet may suggest a broader preventive plan.

A vaccine appointment is usually more than a shot visit. Your vet may check weight gain, hydration, heart and lungs, eyes, ears, teeth, stool history, parasite control, and behavior. Many clinics pair vaccines with deworming, flea prevention discussions, FeLV/FIV testing when appropriate, and planning for spay or neuter timing.

Cost range varies by region and whether services are bundled. In many US clinics in 2025-2026, a single kitten preventive visit with an exam and one vaccine may run about $80 to $180, while a package covering the full kitten series may total roughly $200 to $500+. Rabies is often one of the lower-cost vaccines, while adding FeLV testing, fecal testing, microchipping, or parasite treatment increases the overall cost range.

Mild sleepiness, a small sore spot, or lower activity for a day can happen after vaccination. Some kittens may eat a little less for 24 hours. These signs are usually short-lived, but your vet should know if they last longer than expected.

Call your vet promptly if your kitten has facial swelling, repeated vomiting, trouble breathing, collapse, severe lethargy, or hives after a vaccine visit. Those reactions are uncommon, but they need timely medical attention. If your kitten has had a prior vaccine reaction, tell your vet before the next appointment so the plan can be adjusted.