- Core vaccines: FVRCP (panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis) + rabies. Required for boarding and most catteries.
- Kitten series: first shot at 6–8 weeks; boosters every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks; 1-year booster; then every 1–3 years.
- Your vet determines the exact schedule — Voocie records every vaccine with its date and lot number so you always know what's current.
Cats need core vaccines against panleukopenia, calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis (usually combined in the FVRCP shot), plus rabies — the first series starts at 6–8 weeks, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks, then a booster at 1 year, then every 1–3 years depending on your vet's protocol and your cat's lifestyle. Non-core vaccines like feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are recommended based on your cat's risk level — indoor-only cats have different needs than cats with outdoor access.
Core vaccines: required for every cat
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) classifies these vaccines as "core" — every cat should receive them regardless of whether they live indoors, outdoors, or somewhere in between.
FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
Often called the "distemper combo" or the "3-in-1," FVRCP protects against three diseases in a single shot:
- Feline panleukopenia (feline distemper) — a highly contagious and often fatal virus, especially in kittens. It attacks the immune system and intestinal lining. Closely related to canine parvovirus.
- Feline calicivirus — causes upper respiratory infections and oral ulcers. Multiple strains exist, so vaccinated cats can still catch mild infections from different strains, but the disease is less severe.
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus-1) — the leading cause of upper respiratory infections in cats. Once infected, cats carry the virus for life and can have recurrent flare-ups. Vaccination reduces the severity.
Schedule: Kittens receive their first dose at 6–8 weeks, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks old. A booster at one year, then every three years for most adult cats. Your vet may adjust the frequency based on your cat's health and risk factors.
Rabies
Rabies vaccination is required by law in most U.S. states for cats — even indoor-only cats. Rabies is fatal in both animals and humans, and there is no treatment once symptoms appear. Indoor cats can still encounter bats or escape outdoors unexpectedly.
- First dose: typically given between 12 and 16 weeks of age.
- Booster: one year after the first dose, then every one or three years depending on the vaccine product and your state's law.
- Legal note: your vet issues a rabies certificate with each vaccination. You'll need this for licensing (where required), boarding, and any bite incident involving your cat.
Non-core vaccines: recommended based on risk
These vaccines aren't less important — they're targeted. Your vet recommends them based on your cat's lifestyle, health, and geographic risk. The AAFP calls them "non-core," but think of them as "risk-based."
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
FeLV is a retrovirus that suppresses the immune system and can cause cancer. It spreads through close contact — mutual grooming, shared food and water bowls, bite wounds. There is no cure.
- Who needs it: all kittens (the AAFP recommends FeLV vaccination for all cats under one year regardless of lifestyle), cats with outdoor access, and cats in multi-cat households where FeLV status is unknown.
- Schedule: two-dose initial series given 3–4 weeks apart, starting as early as 8 weeks. Boosted annually for at-risk cats. Your vet may discontinue boosters for strictly indoor adult cats with no exposure risk.
- Testing: cats should be tested for FeLV before vaccination. The vaccine does not treat existing infection.
Bordetella
Protects against Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterial cause of upper respiratory infections. Less commonly required for cats than dogs, but some boarding facilities and catteries require it.
Schedule: a single intranasal dose, boosted annually if your cat boards or stays in group housing.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
FIV vaccine availability and recommendations have shifted over the years. As of 2026, the FIV vaccine is not widely available in the U.S. and is not universally recommended. FIV spreads primarily through bite wounds — intact male cats with outdoor access are at highest risk. Talk to your vet about whether FIV testing (not vaccination) is appropriate for your cat.
Chlamydia felis
Sometimes included in a four-way combo (FVRCP + Chlamydia). Causes conjunctivitis and mild upper respiratory symptoms. Generally recommended only for cats in high-density living situations (shelters, catteries) where chlamydia is a known problem.
Vaccine schedule by age
This table reflects common U.S. practice based on AAFP guidelines. Your vet may adjust timing based on your cat's health, risk factors, and vaccine products used.
| Age | Vaccines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | FVRCP #1, FeLV #1 (if at risk) | First dose of the kitten series. Maternal antibodies may still interfere — that's why boosters are needed. |
| 10–12 weeks | FVRCP #2, FeLV #2 (if started) | Second round. FeLV requires two initial doses 3–4 weeks apart. |
| 14–16 weeks | FVRCP #3, Rabies #1 | Final kitten FVRCP. First rabies dose (timing may vary by state law and vaccine product). |
| 1 year (12–16 months) | FVRCP booster, Rabies booster, FeLV booster (if at risk) | Critical booster year. Sets the foundation for the adult schedule. |
| Adult (every 1–3 years) | FVRCP every 3 years, Rabies every 1–3 years, FeLV annually (if at risk) | Frequency depends on vaccine product, state law (rabies), and your cat's lifestyle. Your vet determines the right interval. |
| Senior (10+ years) | Same core vaccines, vet may adjust | Older cats with chronic illness may benefit from titer testing to check existing immunity before revaccination. Talk to your vet. |
Indoor vs. outdoor cats — what changes
The core vaccines (FVRCP and rabies) don't change — your indoor cat still needs them. What changes is the non-core vaccine profile:
- Indoor-only cats: FVRCP + rabies (core). FeLV vaccination recommended for kittens under one year. Adult indoor-only cats in stable, FeLV-tested households may not need ongoing FeLV boosters — your vet decides.
- Indoor/outdoor cats: FVRCP + rabies (core) + FeLV (strongly recommended due to exposure risk through outdoor encounters). Bordetella if boarded.
- Outdoor-only or barn cats: Full vaccine profile: FVRCP + rabies + FeLV. These cats face the highest exposure risk for FeLV, FIV (via bite wounds), and rabies.
Even strictly indoor cats can escape, encounter bats, or be exposed if a new, untested cat is introduced to the household. Rabies vaccination is not optional — it's required by law in most states regardless of indoor status.
What the lot number on your cat's vaccine certificate means
Every vaccine dose carries a lot number — a manufacturer tracking code that identifies the specific production batch. Most owners throw away the certificate or lose it in a drawer. That lot number matters for one specific, uncommon but real scenario: a vaccine recall.
If a vaccine manufacturer issues a recall for a specific lot, the lot number is how you determine whether your cat received the affected batch. Without it, your vet may recommend revaccination as a precaution.
Voocie stores the lot number automatically when your vet emails the vaccination record to your cat's private @pets.voocie.com address. It's retrievable years later — even if you've switched vets, moved, or lost the paper certificate.
When vaccine records matter most
You'll need your cat's vaccination records more often than you expect:
- Boarding and catteries: every facility requires proof of current rabies and FVRCP. Many require FeLV testing or vaccination. Some require Bordetella.
- Travel: interstate travel typically requires a health certificate (usually within 10 days) with current rabies documentation. International travel has stricter requirements with specific timing windows.
- New vet or specialist: when you switch vets or see a specialist, they need the full vaccination history to avoid unnecessary revaccination or missed boosters.
- Adoption or rehoming: any cat being transferred to a new owner should come with a complete vaccination history. If you adopted a rescue cat and didn't receive records, your vet can start fresh and may recommend titer testing to check for existing immunity.
- Emergency vet visits: knowing vaccination status helps the ER vet make faster decisions — especially regarding diseases like rabies exposure or panleukopenia.
The bottom line
Your cat's vaccine schedule isn't one-size-fits-all — and that's OK. Core vaccines (FVRCP and rabies) are universal. Everything else depends on your cat's lifestyle, age, and exposure risk. Your vet is the right person to build the specific protocol for your cat.
What you can control: keeping the records organized so you're never scrambling for a certificate before a boarding drop-off or a move.
FAQ
- How many shots does a kitten need?
- A typical kitten receives 3–4 rounds of FVRCP (starting at 6–8 weeks, every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks), plus a rabies vaccine at 12–16 weeks, and possibly 2 FeLV doses. Your vet sets the exact count based on when the series starts and your kitten's risk factors.
- Do indoor cats need vaccines?
- Yes. Core vaccines (FVRCP and rabies) are recommended for all cats, including indoor-only cats. Rabies is legally required in most states regardless of lifestyle. Indoor cats can still encounter bats, escape, or be exposed if a new cat joins the household.
- What if I don't know my cat's vaccination history?
- If you adopted a rescue or inherited a cat without records, your vet can start fresh with a new vaccination series. They may also recommend titer testing — a blood test that measures existing antibodies — to check whether your cat already has immunity from prior vaccines.
- Can my cat get sick from vaccines?
- Mild side effects (lethargy, mild fever, reduced appetite for 1–2 days) are normal. Serious adverse reactions are rare. A small percentage of cats can develop injection-site sarcomas — a rare but recognized risk that your vet monitors through injection-site rotation. Report any swelling that persists beyond 3 weeks to your vet.
- How do I keep track of my cat's vaccines?
- Give your vet your cat's private @pets.voocie.com email address. Every vaccine record, visit summary, and lab result emails to that address and files automatically in your cat's health story. No paper, no scanning, no lost certificates.