When you adopt a new kitten, you make a list of what you’ll need, such as cat litter, kitten food, toys, and scratching posts. The last thing on your mind is rushing to the vet, but your kitten’s first vaccinations will protect them from deadly diseases that are common in cats of all ages. So, what shots does a kitten require, and when and at what cost?
Why Should You Vaccinate Your Cat?
Vaccination is used widely to save millions of animals from death and disease. Vaccines protect your pet from diseases that could kill it and make its life better overall.
Indeed, the vaccine is still the safest way to protect your pet from the most common diseases. Vaccines contain either living or dead microbes, viruses, or bacteria, or sometimes just a part or subunit of them, their genetic information, or even the toxin they release. Vaccines are designed to aid in the development of immunity to a pathogen. With a few exceptions, animals that have been vaccinated and finished a schedule are immune to the disease if they are exposed to it.
What Basic Vaccines Do Kittens Require?
Core Vaccinations
Core vaccines are the first vaccinations given to a kitten and protect against the most common and fatal feline diseases. Every veterinarian recommends them.
Kittens require feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia (FVRCP) shots to get a healthy start in life. They’re frequently combined into a single vaccine that can be given as early as 6 weeks of age, with booster shots every 3–4 weeks until they’re 16 weeks old. Most veterinarians recommend starting this vaccine at 8 weeks of age, with boosters at 12 and 16 weeks to avoid over-vaccination.
#1. Feline Rhinotracheitis
The common feline herpes virus causes feline rhinotracheitis. Sneezing, a runny nose, drooling, crusty eyes, lethargy, and weight loss are all possible symptoms. If left untreated, it can result in dehydration, starvation, and death.
#2. Feline Calicivirus
Calicivirus affects the respiratory system and can cause mouth ulcers. When it worsens, it can lead to pneumonia. Young kittens and senior cats are the most vulnerable.
#3. Feline Panleukopenia (Also known as Distemper)
Panleukopenia, which is also called distemper, can be passed from one cat to another. It is so common that almost all cats will get it at some point in their lives. A cat can die within 12 hours of contracting this disease. Vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and fever are among the symptoms.
Non-Core Vaccinations
The shots your kitten requires will be determined by its lifestyle and the risk of infection. Feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and Chlamydophila felis are among the non-core vaccines.
#1. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV):
Some veterinarians always recommend this vaccine for the shots your kitten requires, while others only use it in high-risk situations. FeLV is a viral infection that spreads easily from one infected cat to another. This vaccine can be given to children aged 8 to 12 weeks and requires a booster 3–4 weeks later.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Because FIV is transmitted from cat to cat through bite wounds, a vet may only recommend this if your cat goes outside frequently and encounters stray cats. The vaccine is not completely effective. It can be given at the age of 8 weeks and requires boosters.
#2. Felis Chlamydophila
Usually, this vaccine is only given in places with multiple cats where the disease is known to be present. Conjunctivitis and respiratory problems are caused by the disease. Kittens as young as 9 weeks old can receive the vaccine.
How Much Do Kitten Shots Cost?
It is difficult to calculate the total cost of kitten shots. It depends on the cat: which vaccinations a kitten needs (has he already had some? do they require non-essential vaccines?); and where they live (the same vet services have different costs across the country). However, for a kitten’s first year of shots, the low average cost is $115, the middle average is $160, and the high average is $210.
Here’s how much you should budget for each cat vaccine in the first year
- Feline leukemia (approximately $25-$45)
- FVRCP: $20-$40
- Rabies vaccination (one year): $20-$30
Keep in mind that a general exam will cost $30–$50 when your kitten gets his first round of shots (but this may be higher in some areas).
Up until they are 16 weeks old, your kitten will need FVRCP boosters as part of their vaccination schedule. You’ll have to pay for each one separately, and you may or may not have to pay for an exam, depending on your cat’s health and what your vet says.
Cats begin receiving annual adult exams, which include core vaccine updates, shortly after they turn one year old. Bragdon recommends two- or three-year updates on most vaccines for indoor pets. If your cat spends a lot of time outside, your vet will most likely recommend annual boosters. Certain vaccine requirements are also mandated by state law.
Costs of Optional Kitten Shots
If you plan to let your cat out frequently, board them, or have a litter of cats, your veterinarian may recommend the following non-core cat vaccinations: It’s important to remember that the following vaccines are usually only used as part of a control program in a household with multiple cats where an infection has already been confirmed:
- Bordetella, another zoonotic disease, is a highly contagious respiratory infection known as kennel cough that cats spread among themselves and can catch from infected dogs. If left untreated, it can lead to pneumonia. The vaccine is frequently given in stages or as a single dose with annual boosters. Cost per treatment: $10-$30
- Feline chlamydia is a bacterial infection that causes a variety of eye issues in cats, including conjunctivitis. Cost per treatment: $20-$40.
How Much Do Kitten shots Cost at Petsmart?
The cost of kitten shots through PetSmart partnerships depends on whether you choose ShotVet or Banfield, what shots your pet gets, how old your cat is, and where you live. The prices for kitten shots at Petsmart via ShotVet and Banfield are listed below.
ShotVet
You select a clinic at a nearby PetSmart using ShotVet’s website and save the date you want to come. According to their website, prices are the same regardless of where you live in the United States. Individual shots are priced as follows (plus a $5 biohazard charge):
- 1-year rabies for $42
- Roundworm/Hookworm dewormer for $35
- FELV for $42
- FVRCP for $42
ShotVet, on the other hand, offers vaccine packages from which to choose.
The indoor package for indoor cats also includes the FELV test for $45 and the FELV vaccine for $39 if the test is positive. The outdoor package for outdoor cats also includes a $45 FELV test add-on
Banfield Hospital
Prices for vaccinations at a nearby Banfield Hospital through PetSmart depend on where you live. They seem to be the same as or slightly less than ShotVet prices, but they don’t include the dewormer. They also don’t list prices for kittens and adult cats separately, which suggests that the price is probably the same no matter how old the cat is.
Expected Additional Costs
In terms of kitten shots, there shouldn’t be much of an additional cost. Before receiving a vaccine, your pet may need to have bloodwork or a FELV test. If your pet has been exposed to a cat infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), kennel cough, or chlamydia felis, it may require one of the non-core vaccines.
Aside from those two reasons, the only other potential cost is if your kitten is one of the half of one percent of cats who have an adverse reaction to shots, in which case another vet visit may be necessary.
How Often Should I Get Vaccinations for My Cat?
The frequency with which your cat will require vaccinations is determined primarily by its age and, to a lesser extent, by state laws. If you have a kitten, you will need to vaccinate it three times during the first four months of its life. The first round of vaccines should be given to your pet when he or she is 6-8 weeks old, the second round when they are 10-12 weeks old, and the final round when they are 14-16 weeks old.
After that, your pet should only require boosters on an as-needed basis. Rabies vaccines can be administered either annually or every three years, depending on your state’s laws. FVRCP vaccine should be administered every three years.
How many shots does a kitten need?
Kittens are vaccinated every 3-4 weeks until they reach the age of 16 weeks. To avoid over-vaccination, most veterinarians recommend starting the vaccine at 8 weeks of age, with boosters at 12 and 16 weeks.
When should I take my kitten to the vet for the first time?
Six weeks old. During your kitten’s wellness checkups, your veterinarian will answer these questions. Your kitten’s first vet visit should be at 6 weeks of age. When you come in, we’ll inform you about future visits.
When should kittens get their first shots?
approximately 6 to 8 weeks-old Kittens require a series of vaccinations to provide complete protection. The schedule typically begins when they are 6 to 8 weeks old and continues until they are 16 weeks old. After that, cats require boosters every year to a few years (depending on the vaccine) to help maintain their immunity.
Can I give my kitten her own shots?
You can do it yourself for a few dollars per dose. Feline Focus® is a combination vaccine specifically designed for do-it-yourself vaccination. Focus provides protection against major feline health risks, from kittens to senior cats.
Does Petsmart vaccinate cats?
Puppies and kittens between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks may receive services in the salon without being vaccinated. Regional variations may exist. All services for dogs and cats (except Hawaii) require Rabies vaccination, which must be administered by a veterinarian or veterinarian assistant/technician.
When should kittens get dewormed?
Worm treatment and prevention
Your kitten will require a worming treatment that is appropriate for their age and weight. They should be wormed for the first time when they are three weeks old, and then every two weeks until they are sixteen weeks old.
Conclusion
Shots are an important part of a cat’s health care, but if they are given at the vet’s office, they can be expensive. Fortunately, you can get your cat’s shots at PetSmart via ShotVet or Banfield Hospitals (whichever is in your area). Prices will differ between the two entities, but they should be less expensive than the vet in either case. ShotVet also sells packages of shots, and Banfield has a plan called the Optimal Wellness Plan that includes some vaccines. So, if you’re looking for a place to get your cat’s vaccinations, go to your local PetSmart!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the first set of shots for a kitten?
The cost of your new kitten’s first vaccination may range between $20 and $45 per shot, depending on where you live, the individual veterinarian’s prices, and the type of vaccine. Before administering any shots to your kitten, veterinarians will want to perform a physical examination.
Are kittens shots expensive?
Unfortunately, the cost of vaccinating a cat can range from $25 to $80 per shot, depending on where it is administered. Furthermore, a kitten’s vaccination schedule begins as early as 6 weeks and continues for several months before repeating every 1-3 years.
What vaccines do indoor cats need?
Cats kept solely indoors are generally immune to feline panleukopenia virus, feline herpesvirus-1, and feline calicivirus. Because of the widespread or severe nature of these diseases, these core vaccines are recommended for all cats, indoors or outdoors.
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