How Often Should Kittens Get Shots
Vaccinations should begin when your kittens turn 8 weeks old.
How often should kittens get shots. Kittens should start getting vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old until they are about 16 weeks old. The virus injected has been modified so the kitten will not get sick from the introduced virus but is effective in. Then they must be boostered a year latyer. A vaccination is a small virus which is injected into a kitten to help build a response that builds the kitten s immunity against a particular disease.
Kitten vaccines are usually first given at about six to eight weeks of age and repeated approximately every three weeks until about 16 to 18 weeks of age. After that they ll only need annual boosters. When kittens are nursing antibodies in their mother s milk help protect them from infections. We have no idea at what point the maternal immunity has declined and the vaccines are taking effect.
The shots come in a series every 3 to 4. It s important to get your kitten vaccinated but there are many kitten shots that your kitten doesn t need. This is the central question. Many of your kitten s initial shots will be given as a series of boosters every 3 4 weeks.
Some vaccines might be given together in one injection that is called a combination vaccine. Basic vaccination will protect against rabies feline distemper rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. When should kittens get shots. Because babies are so vulnerable to distemper your vet vaccinates your kitten with the fvrcp vaccine for the first time between the ages of 6 to 8 weeks with another shot every three to four weeks until your kitten is 4 months old.
However to avoid over vaccination most veterinarians will recommend starting the vaccine at 8 weeks of age followed by boosters at 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. Your parasite heartworm control should start on your first vet visit. To achieve the best protection possible your kitten will need boosters over the first several months of their life at least until they are between 16 20 weeks old. We typically give the distemper combination vaccine every 3 4 weeks on average until the puppy or kitten is 16 weeks old.
Kittens are vaccinated once every three to four weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age or older. Kitties need several immunizations during their first year to protect them against serious diseases. On average a kitten can receive his first rabies shot as early as 8 12 weeks of age although the standard is between 4 and 6 months.