

Cat vaccination
What vaccines does my cat need?

Cats are vulnerable to infectious diseases that can seriously affect their health and welfare. Many are viral infections such as Feline Parvovirus, Leukaemia virus and the Cat Flu virus. To avoid any of these diseases, it is important to vaccinate your cat with a course of primary vaccinations followed by an annual booster.
Vaccinations are primarily divided into two categories – core vaccines and lifestyle vaccines. Core vaccines are essential for every cat irrespective of their lifestyle, breed, and region. Lifestyle vaccines are given to cats after considering certain circumstances.

Core vaccines for cats
Feline Parvovirus (also known as Panleukopenia Virus or Feline Infectious Enteritis): a highly contagious virus that can often be fatal, particularly for young kittens. The most common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration (even if they keep drinking), loss of appetite and less commonly nervous signs associated with brain damage.
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Cat Flu Virus (Feline Calicivirus): causes cat flu (sneezing, nasal discharge, mouth ulcers and excess dribbling). Affected cats may be reluctant to eat and have a fever. Feline Herpes Virus also causes cat flu, fever, sneezing and nasal discharge as well as ulcers on the eye. Chronic infection can result in nasal diseases.
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Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): is spread by close contact and can cause cancers, anaemia, vomiting and diarrhoea. This vaccination is highly recommended with any cat that has access to the outside or is in contact with cats that go outside.
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Lifestyle vaccinations
Rabies: required for pets travelling abroad.
Chlamydophila Felis: a bacteria that causes eye infections and cat flu like symptoms. This vaccination is only usually recommended if your cats have a pre-existing problem with it.

Potential side effects
Cat vaccinations are safe for most cats. Although side effects can occur, they are very rare. Vaccines are increasingly reliable and safe, but it’s always best to keep an eye on your cat after the visit to the vet.
Some of the cat vaccination side effects that have been reported: localised swelling, tiredness, slight fever, eating less, sneezing, and coughing.
What to expect at a vaccine appointment
Your vet will examine your cat to check their health. Once the vet is happy your cat is fit enough for the vaccine, the procedure can begin. The location chosen for the vaccine used to be the scruff of the neck, but it has now been replaced by tail or lower legs site.
Vaccination principles remain important – primary courses given in advance of potential exposures and, wherever possible, booster vaccinations timed appropriately to optimise protection. Realistic expectations concerning small animal vaccinations should be highlighted: vaccines may not always prevent disease but work to reduce the risk of infection, and immunity is not passed on immediately.
Not all cats will respond equally well to vaccination – some may have better protection and/or longer duration of immunity compared to others.
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Protecting unvaccinated cats and kittens
If kittens or adult cats are unvaccinated or only had their primary injections, they should be kept indoors and avoid contact with other cats.
A recovery collar will be provided to prevent the cat from licking or chewing at the wound, reducing the risk of self-trauma and infection.
Written by Dr. Mariella Roberts, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC
Published January 2025
This advice is for UK pets only
Animal Trust is a trading name of Animal Trust Vets CIC, a community interest company registered in England and Wales. Company Registration No: 07938025
Registered Office: Animal Trust Administration Centre, Cedab Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 4FE