When Should You Vaccinate Your Cat?
Having a pet requires plenty of care, and it is a huge commitment. Not only do you need to provide them with food, groom them and give them tender love and care; you also need to be attentive to their health, making sure that you take them to the vet when needed.
Just like people, cats need to be vaccinated throughout their lives to prevent diseases and ensure they have an excellent quality of life. With this in mind, we at oneHOWTO will answer the frequently asked question of when should you vaccinate your cat.
The first thing you must do as soon as you adopt a pet is to take them straight to the vet. When you have a new cat it is normal to have plenty of doubts, and there is no better person to answer them than a professional.
The vet will tell you when you should vaccinate your cat, but also give you extremely useful tips on what steps to take, how to feed and train them and how to keep your cat clean and healthy throughout their life.
You cat will first be given a generic vaccine normally called FVRCPP. This will protect them from the most common diseases in cats, including panleukopenia, calicivirus and rhinotracheitis.
Kittens should receive their first FVRCP vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age, followed by three booster shots once a month. Adult cats should receive a booster once every year or two, according to your vet's recommendation.
At 6 months old, your cat may need a vaccine against rabies, depending on which country you live in or if you are traveling with your pet. Once vaccinated for rabies for the first time, your cat should be given a booster vaccine once a year.
A very common disease in cats is leukemia. To prevent it, your cat should be vaccinated against it. At 4-5 months old, your vet should administer the appropriate tests and vaccines. Then, as with the other vaccines, your cat should be vaccinated once a year.
Your cat should be completely dewormed when the first vaccines are administered. Keep in mind that after each vaccination, especially in the first months of life when the cat is young, your pet may show some mild side effects from the vaccine, such as lethargy or discomfort. Here you can find a guide on how to deworm a cat at home.
Here is our answer to when should you vaccinate your cat. Remember that the legislation on vaccines for cats depends on every country, so you should always ask your vet and learn the local health risks.
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- If this happens, always consult a vet for expert advice.
