Cat vaccination schedule: which vaccines and when
Which vaccines your cat needs, when to give them as a kitten and as an adult, and what is compulsory in Andalusia.
Even if your cat never goes outside, vaccines protect against diseases that can come into the house on our shoes or clothes. This schedule is a guide only: your vet will adapt it to your cat’s age, health and lifestyle.
The core vaccines
Vets recommend these vaccines for every cat, indoor or outdoor:
- Feline panleukopenia: a serious and highly contagious viral disease, especially for kittens.
- Feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus: the main causes of “cat flu”.
They are usually given together in what is known as the trivalent vaccine.
What is compulsory in Andalusia
Andalusian law requires cats to have:
- A microchip, registered with the RAIA, the Andalusian animal identification register.
- A rabies vaccination: the first from three months of age, a booster 30 days later, and then once a year.
This is stricter than in many other European countries, so if you’ve moved here with an adult cat, check that its rabies vaccination is up to date.
Guide schedule for a kitten
| Age | What’s done |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | First check-up, deworming and first dose of the trivalent vaccine. |
| 10 to 12 weeks | Second trivalent dose. Microchip, if not already done. |
| 3 months | First rabies vaccination (compulsory in Andalusia). |
| 14 to 16 weeks | Third trivalent dose. Rabies booster 30 days after the first. |
| 6 months to 1 year | Trivalent booster. A good time to talk about neutering. |
As an adult
- Rabies: once a year in Andalusia.
- Trivalent: boosters every one to three years depending on risk. A cat living alone in a flat doesn’t have the same needs as one that goes into the garden or stays in catteries.
- Annual check-up: the time to weigh them, check their teeth and run blood tests as they get older.
The feline leukaemia vaccine
Feline leukaemia (FeLV) spreads through close contact between cats: fights, shared bowls or grooming each other. This vaccine is recommended for:
- Cats that go outside, or live with cats that do.
- Kittens, because it’s hard to know whether they’ll go outside in the future.
A test is done first to make sure the cat doesn’t already carry the virus.
Does your cat hate the carrier? Leave it open at home for a few days beforehand, with one of their blankets and a treat inside, so it isn’t just linked to trips to the vet.