Vaccines for Kittens & Cats

Vaccinations help protect your kitten/cat against preventable diseases. Kittens should be vaccinated early in their life to build their immunity against diseases. Vaccinations help to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy life – not just as kittens but into their adult years. Depending on your kitten or adult cat’s overall health and wellbeing, our veterinarians are happy to discuss which vaccines would be best for your feline friend. To schedule a consultation, give us a call at 604-824-5848.

How early should my kitten be vaccinated?

Try your best to schedule your kitten’s first examination as soon as possible, preferably when they are 6 to 8 weeks old. It is important to build up your kitten’s immunity early on to prevent life-threatening diseases. We recommend all kittens be vaccinated against rabies and feline panleukopenia (distemper). We will assess your pet’s risk to identify if vaccination against other diseases like feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are required.

How often does my adult cat need to be vaccinated?

Adult cats need to be vaccinated far less than kittens. Typically, adult cats can be scheduled for vaccination every 1 to 3 years, depending on the vaccine. Vaccines your cat might receive are rabies, feline panleukopenia (distemper), feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpes virus) and calicivirus. Your cat might also be vaccinated against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) if they spend a lot of time outdoors or live with infected cats.

If my cat is vaccinated, does that mean they will never get diseases or infections?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee your pet will never have a disease or infection. Vaccines do not provide full immunity but they give your pet stronger immunity against preventable diseases. Other preventive measures you can take to protect your cat are limiting their interactions with animals you might suspect have infections and limiting their exposure to environments with more common diseases.

Are vaccines safe for my pet?

Yes, all vaccines our team administer are safe for your feline friend. Vaccines undergo a series of rigorous tests before they can be approved and given to pets. Some pets might have minor reactions to vaccines. Our team believes vaccinations are beneficial when compared to the potential risks. Any concerns you have about vaccinations can be shared with our veterinarians who are happy to answer any questions or concerns.