What vaccines do cats need?

 

When a new cat or kitten comes into your life, there’s a whirlwind of activity. There are supplies, toys, and food to buy, and there is a slew of veterinarian appointments to make.

 

A lot of those veterinarian appointments will have something to do with vaccines.

 

The purpose of this post is to help you understand why cats need vaccines and which ones they may need. Not everything about cat vaccines is straightforward, and having knowledge about this topic can help you ask your vet the right questions and make good decisions for your cat.

 

What are vaccines?

 

Today, vaccines are a polarizing subject. Some people wrongly think vaccines cause certain problems, like autism in children, or believe that choosing to vaccinate is a political decision, rather than a medical one.

 

But vaccines are a lifesaving miracle of science. Vaccines have saved more lives than any other medical invention in human history.[1] Along the way, vaccines have also saved the lives of millions of pets.[2]

 

A short history of vaccines

 

We think the first “vaccines” (really, inoculations) were given by a Taoist or Buddhist monk, or a nun around the year 1000 AD. The first inoculated people were given tiny doses of smallpox virus – goo from an oozing sore from a person already sick with smallpox – to prevent them from contracting a more deadly case of smallpox later on.

 

(The difference between inoculation and vaccination is that in inoculation there is deliberate exposure to a disease. Vaccination is designed to induce immunity using something that imitates the disease.[3])

 

A slave introduces inoculations to the Western world

 

Fast forward to the 1600s in the Massachusetts Bay Colony: Reverend Cotton Mather, famous for his involvement in the Salem Witch Trials, purchased a slave named Onesimus. Onesimus described how he’d been inoculated against smallpox by his enslavers, and Mather soon became an evangelist for the technique.

 

George Washington inoculates his troops

 

A hundred years later, the concept of inoculation was still misunderstood and highly controversial. But in 1777, George Washington, defying a proclamation by the Continental Congress prohibiting inoculations, ordered his troops to be inoculated against smallpox anyway.[4]

 

It’s believed that this radical decision helped hold off smallpox long enough for the Continental Army to win their fight against the British in the Revolutionary War.[5]

 

The first real vaccine

 

Also in the 1700s, Edward Jenner, a country doctor in England, noticed that milkmaids who became infected with cowpox disease seemed to also be immune to smallpox. He conducted an experiment in which he deliberately infected people with cowpox and then exposed them to smallpox.

 

His human guinea pigs got slightly ill from their cowpox infection, but also became immune to smallpox for the rest of their lives.

 

Vaccines help eradicate two diseases

 

Thank to vaccination, we’ve managed to eliminate exactly two diseases: smallpox in humans, and rinderpest in animals.

 

Why haven’t we been able to eradicate other diseases?

 

There are many factors at play, but the main reason we were able to eradicate smallpox, in particular, has to do with the disease itself. Smallpox was so deadly that people all over the world came together to successfully vaccinate enough people to rid the world of this disease forever.

 

How do vaccines work?

 

All living things are at risk of being attacked by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. These invaders are collectively called pathogens.

 

Humans and cats have some pretty sophisticated defenses against pathogens. We have skin and mucous membranes to keep the nasties from getting inside us, and white blood cells that can neutralize some pathogens right away if they do manage to get inside.

 

But sometimes a pathogen will multiply so quickly inside the body that the immune system becomes overwhelmed before it can even figure out how to attack.

 

A vaccine gives the immune system a kind of preview of an illness. Once the immune system has seen the pathogen, it can develop a plan of attack should it ever see the disease again in the future. This plan is called “specific immunity” because it’s specific to a particular disease.[6]

 

What exactly is a vaccine?

 

The good news is that, like Jenner’s experiment with cowpox, the body doesn’t necessarily have to see the exact disease, or the whole disease, to develop an effective specific immunity against it.

 

Sometimes, the body can just take a good look at a piece of a pathogen, a dead pathogen, or something similar to the pathogen. In this way, a vaccine can train the body to respond to a pathogen without making the person or cat severely ill while doing it.

 

Types of vaccines

 

Here are a few common vaccine types:

 

 

Why are vaccines important for cats?

 

Vaccines prevent certain diseases from ever causing serious illness or death to your cat.

 

Vaccines can prevent enormous suffering, but they are practical, too. Vaccines are easier and cheaper to administer than trying to treat a cat who actually contracts a preventable disease.

 

Note that vaccines do not work if they are given after a cat becomes sick. They must be given before a cat is exposed to one of the many common and severely contagious diseases that cats are prone to getting.

 

Why are vaccines especially important for kittens?

 

 

Kittens “borrow” immunity from their mothers while they are nursing. They literally drink antibodies from their mothers’ milk. But this kind of immunity is not long-lasting, unfortunately. Kittens enjoy protection for a few weeks, at most.

 

 

Kittens have immature immune systems, which makes them especially vulnerable to disease. If a kitten has an unknown nursing history (as did many of my foster kittens), timely vaccines are especially important for them.

 

Timing is equally important for kittens who have been able to enjoy a full nursing experience, and all the antibodies that come along with it. Antibodies can actually interfere with the effectiveness of vaccines. This makes following the recommended vaccination schedule for kittens extremely important.

 

Who decides what and when my cat or kitten should be vaccinated?

 

There are some cat vaccines that are required by state law, which vary from state to state. Most states require that cats be vaccinated for rabies, for example, as rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it can be transmitted to humans and other animals.

 

The decision to give your cat other vaccines is one that should be made with your veterinarian. Your cat’s lifestyle will be an important part of the decision: a cat who goes outdoors, or lives in a multicat household, for example, might be a candidate for a vaccine that an indoor-only cat, who does not live with other pets, might not need.

 

A task force of experts will help your vet decide about what vaccines to recommend

 

Good vets do not make their recommendations to you about your cat vaccinations in a vacuum.

 

The Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel is a task force of experts in the feline world who study vaccine developments and make science-based recommendations. Their recommendations and guidelines are published by the American Association of Feline Practitioners in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.[8]

 

This panel and these publications are the most reputable source of cat vaccination standards.

 

The vaccines every cat should get, no matter what

 

The vaccines that every cat should get are called “core” vaccines. These include:

 

Rabies

The rabies virus is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. The disease affects the central nervous system and is fatal in cats.

 

Outdoor cats are more likely to be exposed to the virus since the typical carriers are wildlife, such as coyotes, skunks, and bats. But indoor cats must also be vaccinated because of the risk that cats, who may inadvertently be exposed, pose to humans.

 

Most states require all cats to be vaccinated against rabies.

 

When, and how often?

Rabies vaccines are manufactured by a number of different companies and so they are all administered a little differently.

 

None of the rabies vaccines can be given until a kitten is at least 12 weeks old. There’s usually a booster at one year, but after that, the vaccine will be given every year or every three years, depending upon the type.

 

FVRCP - Feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia

Your cat may be vaccinated against all three of these diseases at one time with the FVRCP combination vaccine. The combination vaccine allows your vet to give all three vaccines at the same time, without having to give your cat three different shots in the same visit.

 

 

When, and how often?

The FVRCP series begins for kittens at six to eight weeks of age. A booster will be given every three to four weeks until the kitten is 16-20 weeks old. An additional booster will be given at one year.

 

An indoor cat may not need another booster for three years. If your cat is allowed outside, if your cat is ever boarded, or is a senior, your vet may recommend a yearly FVRCP vaccine.

 

Feline leukemia virus

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a virus that inserts itself into the DNA of its host, literally changing the animal’s genome.

 

Cats who are sick with FeLV shed the virus in their saliva, blood, nasal secretions, feces, urine, and for nursing mother cats, in their milk. Cats contract FeLV through close contact with infected cats, often through bite wounds.

 

Cats with FeLV develop a wide range of debilitating symptoms, from a loss of appetite, to fever, poor coat condition, diarrhea, inflammation of the mouth, and eye conditions. As the disease gets worse, a sick cat is at risk of contracting other diseases, including cancer.

 

Some cats are able to get over FeLV, others are able to contain the virus, keeping it from becoming incorporated into their DNA, but some portion of cats develop a form of the disease that becomes progressively worse over time, leading, potentially, to death.

 

Read about FeLV in this post.

 

When, and how often?

All kittens and cats up to one year old should be vaccinated against feline leukemia virus. The vaccine involves two doses spaced three to four weeks apart, starting at eight weeks of age.

 

After these first doses, the vaccine is no longer considered a “core” or essential vaccine. You and your vet should decide, based on your cat’s lifestyle, how often he should continue to be vaccinated for FeLV.

 

The Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel currently recommends yearly vaccines for high-risk cats, such as those who live outdoors even some of the time, and every other year for lower-risk cats.

The other vaccines your vet might recommend

 

These vaccines are considered “non-core,” or non-essential vaccines. Your vet may recommend giving one or more of these vaccines to your cat, depending upon her lifestyle.

 

Chlamydophilia felis

Chlamydophilia felis is a bacterium that causes conjunctivitis, an infection and inflammation of the eye, and respiratory disease in cats.[10]

 

Most cats are able to recover from the disease with a course of antibiotics, but the vaccine might be a good choice for cats who visit, or live in crowded places, like a boarding facility or cattery.[11]

 

Bordetella bronchiseptica

Bordetella bronchiseptica can cause respiratory disease, but the disease is rarely a problem for otherwise healthy cats.

 

This vaccine is sometimes offered to cats who live in big multicat households, catteries, and shelters.

 

Feline immunodeficiency virus

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a disease that attacks a cat’s immune system, like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in people.

 

A vaccine was developed for FIV, but it’s no longer available in the United States, in large part because it didn’t work very well. You can read all the details in this post on FIV.

 

Feline infectious peritonitis

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is one of the least understood of all cat illnesses. It’s a devastating disease that is almost invariably fatal.

 

There is a vaccine, but it’s not effective under real-world circumstances, and the Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel does not recommend it.[12]

 

Read about FIP in this post.

 

Should I vaccinate my cat if I don’t know if he has already been vaccinated?

 

If you adopt an adult cat with an unknown vaccination history, it’s best to just consider him unvaccinated.

 

Most adult cats can get the vaccinations that they need in two veterinary appointments scheduled three to four weeks apart.

 

Discuss a booster schedule with your vet, but most booster vaccines are given to adult cats every one to three years, depending on the vaccine type and your individual cat’s risk factors.

 

When is a kitten protected from the diseases that vaccines are supposed to prevent?

 

Until the kitten is seven to 10 days beyond a completed vaccination series, she is not fully protected.[13]

 

How much do vaccines cost?

 

Just like anything else, the cost of vaccines depends upon where you live and the veterinary clinic you bring your cat to.

 

Most core vaccines run $10-40 each.[14][15] Most communities host free or low-cost vaccination clinics. Do a little online sleuthing to find one in your area.

 

Whatever the cost of the vaccine, it is much more affordable to vaccinate than to treat a preventable illness.

 

Do vaccines have side effects?

 

The risk of side effects with vaccines is extremely low.

 

It’s estimated that side effects from a vaccine will occur in 0.52% of cats. That means that only 52 in 10,000 will have any kind of negative response to their vaccines, and most are mild symptoms, like lethargy, or soreness at the injection site. If the vaccine was given in the nose, a cat could have a little sneezing or runny nose.

 

In rare cases, a cat could experience more series complications, including vomiting, diarrhea, swelling, hives, respiratory distress, shock, and even death.[16]

 

Very, very rarely, a cat will develop an injection-site sarcoma, which is a kind of cancer.

 

What is an injection-site sarcoma?

 

An injection-site sarcoma is a tumor that develops on the spot where a cat’s skin has been punctured.

 

It’s not just vaccines that cause injection-site sarcomas. Antibiotic injections, insertion of a microchip, and even stitches can cause an injection-site sarcoma.

 

A lump will form in the spot where the puncture occurs. It can happen as early as four weeks after an injection, or as long as 10 years.

 

Injection-site sarcomas are very difficult to treat and rarely cured. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and even limb amputation may be considered to save a cat’s life.

 

As devastating of a potential side effect as an injection-site sarcoma is, the risk of not vaccinating a cat is higher – much higher – than the risk of tumor development.

 

It’s hard being the guardian of another living thing, and making decisions on your cat’s behalf. But vaccinating is still the kindest and most responsible thing you can do for any cat.

 

Does my indoor cat really need to be vaccinated?

 

Some vaccinations are required by law, whether your cat lives indoors or not.

 

But just because your cat never goes outside, doesn’t mean she doesn’t need the protection of a vaccine.

 

I can vouch, from personal experience, that cats who “never” go outside, can manage to sneak out the front door when a guardian has her back turned. Even a quick sniff in the yard can be enough to develop one of the highly contagious cat viruses, depending on what the neighborhood cats are carrying.

 

It’s also possible for a cat to catch an airborne disease through a screened window or door.

 

And finally, a cat’s lifestyle can change, whether you ever intended for it to happen or not. Death, divorce, and even a move, could expose a cat to other cats and other ways of living.

 

Should I worry about over-vaccinating my cat?

 

While the risk of side effects with vaccines are minimal, they are not zero, and some people and vets are rightfully concerned about giving cats vaccinations they don’t really need.

 

The first thing you can do is read the guidelines from the Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel yourself, to be sure your cat’s vaccination schedule is in line with the most current research. You can find a link to the most updated version of the guidelines here:

 

Feline Vaccination Guidelines

 

Discuss your concerns with your cat’s veterinarian, especially if your cat lives indoors, lives in a household without other pets, and is not exposed to other cats at a boarding facility.

 

Another way to prevent overvaccination of your cat is to request a blood test (a titer) to measure the antibodies that your cat’s body is still making. This test can confirm (or not) that he is well-protected against a particular disease.

 

Unfortunately, titers are often more expensive than re-vaccination, and may be stressful to your cat, especially if she ends up needing that booster shot anyway.[17] So, it’s a very personal decision.

 

All we cat guardians can do is our best.

 

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Dawn LaFontaine

Dawn LaFontaine is a lifelong animal lover who always seems to have a little pet hair in her keyboard. Her blog, Kitty Contemplations, helps cat guardians better understand and care for the special beings they share their lives and homes with. Her cat-products business, Cat in the Box, sells beautiful, well-made, and award-winning products that she designed to meet the biological needs of cats.

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FOOTNOTES

 

[1] “A Brief History of Vaccination.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/a-brief-history-of-vaccination. Accessed 17 July 2024.

 

[2] “Pet Vaccinations: Understanding Vaccinations for Your Cat or Dog.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/pets/features/pet_vaccination. Accessed 17 July 2024.

 

[3] “Explaining How Vaccines Work.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 May 2023, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/understanding-vacc-work.html.

 

[4] “Vaccine Timeline.” History of Vaccines RSS, historyofvaccines.org/history/vaccine-timeline/overview. Accessed 17 July 2024.

 

[5] “How Crude Smallpox Inoculations Helped George Washington Win the War.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/news/smallpox-george-washington-revolutionary-war. Accessed 18 July 2024.

 

[6] “The Human Immune System and Infectious Disease.” History of Vaccines RSS, historyofvaccines.org/vaccines-101/what-do-vaccines-do/human-immune-system-and-infectious-disease. Accessed 17 July 2024.

 

[7] “Vaccines for Cats: VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vaccines-for-cats. Accessed 11 July 2024.

 

[8] “Cat Vaccinations: What Vaccines Do Cats Need?” PetMD, www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/cat-vaccinations-what-vaccines-do-cats-need. Accessed 16 July 2024.

 

[9] ibid.

 

[10] International Cat Care, 3 Sept. 2018, icatcare.org/advice/chlamydophila-felis-infection-feline-chlamydophilosis/.

 

[11] “Cat Vaccinations: When and Why Indoor Cats Should Be Vaccinated.” Cat Vaccinations: Why and When Indoor Cats Should Be Vaccinated | Charlotte Vet, www.sharonlakes.com/site/blog-south-charlotte-vet/2020/06/15/cat-vaccinations-why-vaccinate-indoor-cats. Accessed 16 July 2024.

 

[12] Coates, Jennifer. “Cat Vaccinations: Everything You Need to Know.” BeChewy, 28 Nov. 2023, be.chewy.com/cat-vaccinations-everything-you-need-to-know/.

 

[13] “Vaccines for Cats: VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca.

 

[14]  Coates, Jennifer. “Cat Vaccinations: Everything You Need to Know.”

  

[15] “Cat Vaccinations: What Vaccines Do Cats Need?” PetMD.

 

[17] “Are Booster Vaccines Necessary for Cats?: VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/are-booster-vaccines-necessary-for-cats. Accessed 19 July 2024.