Vaccines for Kittens & Cats

Congratulations on your new kitten! Vaccination is one of the first preventative steps you’ll take to ensure they’re protected against a range of diseases. We’ll develop a vaccination plan that includes core vaccines as well as recommend some non-core vaccines based on your kitten’s lifestyle or environment.

What’s the difference between core and non-core vaccines?

Core vaccines are essential to your kitten or cat’s health. The first dosages your kitten receives in their first few years of life provide the building blocks for a lifetime of vaccines. They’ll continue to receive booster vaccines throughout their adulthood to maintain their immunity. For example, rabies is a mandatory core vaccine that’s mandated by the Ontario government. Non-core vaccines are only recommended based on your kitten or cat’s susceptibility to certain diseases. To learn more about core and non-core vaccines, please contact us at 613-247-0013.

How soon after birth should my kitten be vaccinated?

Schedule your kitten for their first veterinary exam as soon as possible. During this appointment, we discuss and create a vaccination plan. Until your kitten has received a series of vaccines, they are susceptible to many serious but preventable diseases. Most vaccination plans include your kitten receiving their first dosages at 6-8 weeks old. Subsequently, they receive vaccinations every 3-4 weeks up until they’re 16 weeks old. After that, they receive boosters every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccination. We will vaccinate your new kitten against:

• Rabies - core
• Panleukopenia (distemper) - core 
• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) - non-core