Cat Vaccinations and how
they Protect from Disease.

Cat Vaccinations are the best way to keep your beloved pet free from nasty cat diseases, so make sure they are kept up to date with their vaccinations every year as part of your regular cat care routine.

Many owners fail to do this because they are worried about the cost of the vaccines. However it is a false economy; when your cat becomes ill with a preventable illness, you will find yourself with very high vet bills and in the worst case scenario you could possible lose your cat.

Once you have your cat vaccinated the subsequent booster shots are far less expensive.

What are Cat Vaccinations?

Vaccines boost your cat’s immunity against potentially fatal diseases. They also stop your cat from being a carrier of the disease and potentially from spreading the infection to other cats in the area. Vaccines are usually given by injection under the skin behind the back of the neck, but a few are given orally too.

Cat vaccinations contain harmless forms of viruses or bacteria which cause certain cat illnesses. By having the injection, the cat’s immune system is stimulated to produce antibodies to fight the infection. This reaction is 'remembered' by your cat’s immune system so that when it later comes into contact with the disease in real life, it can successfully fight off the infection.

Where a virus has mutated and changed the immune system will still recognise the attacker and although may not be an exact match for it will still provide your cat with some protection against it. Lessening the chances of your cat not surviving it.

What are the risks of vaccination?

There is of course the short and temporary discomfort of the injection itself, but also the rare risk of side effects and adverse reactions to the vaccine.

The potential benefits of protecting against fatal cat illnesses usually outweigh the potential risks from side effects. However, it is good to discuss any concerns you have with your vet. Most reactions are mild and short lived, but some cats may experience a swelling at the injection site, or tiredness and flu like symptoms following the vaccination. Our little cat Mo didn't want to move, eat, purr or do anything for a good twenty four hours following her vaccination, but the next day she returned to her normal self with no harm done. For her next booster injection she showed no bad effects at all as her body was now used to the vaccine.

How Often Are Cat Vaccinations Given?

A kitten gets its natural protection (immunity) against cat diseases from antibodies in its mothers milk. Then at around 6 to 10 weeks, this benefit starts to reduce. This is why vets recommend a kittens first vaccines should be given in two doses at about 9 and then 12 weeks. You should keep your kitten away from strange cats until two weeks following the second dose to ensure the vaccination has had time to take effect.

The protection a vaccine gives may not last a lifetime and it is usually recommended that cats have 'booster' or 'top-up' injections once a year.

However, there is some difference of opinion on how frequent booster vaccines are needed and your vet should be able to advise you on this.

What Cat Vaccines are available?

There are many different cat vaccines available and it does depend on where in the world you live whether or not a particular one is licensed for use in your country.

It also depends on whether or not a cert disease is prevalent where you live. For instance in the UK rabies is no longer a issue as it has been eradicated due to strict border quarantine. So the rabies vaccine is no longer administered to pets.

Please see the cat vaccine page for a more comprehensive list.