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Everything you need to know about kitten vaccinations
It is part of your duty as a pet parent to protect your cat, and make sure that they get their vaccinations when they are kittens. Vaccinations help to prevent your cat from catching diseases, and from spreading them to other animals. It’s one of the most important things you should consider before adopting your kitten.
What are kitten vaccinations for?
A kitten needs to be vaccinated to protect them from developing or spreading diseases that could be fatal. These include:
- Feline leukaemia virus
- Feline infectious enteritis
- Cat flu
Getting your kitten vaccinated is the best way to help protect your kitten, read on to learn more about these not so nice diseases.
What vaccinations does my kitten need?
As mentioned above, kitten vaccinations are needed to protect your cat. The vaccinations your cat needs are the ones that protect them from:
Feline leukaemia virus
Feline leukaemia virus can be transmitted easily from cat to cat, and severely weakens a cat’s immune system. The reason this is so important to vaccinate against is because it is currently incurable and affects the immune system so badly that it can ultimately make your cat more vulnerable to other diseases.
Feline infectious enteritis
This virus is another easily transmittable disease that can be fatal for cats. It causes severe gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhoea, which can then lead to a cat becoming very unwell and quickly succumbing to the disease.
Cat flu
As we all know, flu can turn into a very dangerous illness for some humans, and this is the same for cats. Cat flu symptoms are similar to those of the human flu; runny nose, fever and respiratory issues.
When should my kitten be vaccinated?
Your kitten should receive their first set of vaccinations when they are nine weeks old, followed by a booster set of vaccinations when they are 12 weeks old (three months).
Talk to your vet about when your cat may need booster vaccinations as they grow older. It’s important to understand how to keep your cat healthy before you decide to adopt a kitten, as there is a lot to it to ensure they are healthy and lead the best life possible.
How much are kitten vaccinations?
Kitten vaccinations in the UK can cost around £45-£65 depending on what they need, but you can speak to your vet about the vaccination cost for your kitten. Kitten vaccinations are not usually covered by pet insurance, so make sure to factor this into the costs when you decide to adopt your furry friend.
When can my kitten go outside?
A kitten can usually start to go outside unsupervised from when they are 6 months old. Your kitten must be vaccinated before it goes outside, to protect itself and other cats. However, you should also consider having your cat neutered or spayed before they go outside. Talk to your vet about neutering your cat; it is usually advised to do this so that there is less chance of them developing health problems such as urine infections, testicular cancer or other illnesses.
Do indoor cats need to be vaccinated?
There is always the chance of your kitten mixing with others when they’re older, which can spread a disease your cat has not been vaccinated against. And, although the idea of an indoor cat may seem simple, it isn’t always possible to keep your cat completely isolated from the outside world, or from other animals.
When is it too late to get my kitten vaccinated?
As mentioned above, kittens should get their vaccinations when they are nine weeks old, followed by a booster three weeks later. If your kitten is much older than that, speak to your vet. They will be able to advise on what to do and which vaccinations they need.
There is a lot to consider when you have a new kitten in your life, but at Argos Pet Insurance we want to provide you with all the information needed to help you and your kitten get along and live happily (and healthily) together. From toilet training to vaccinations, read more at the We Talk Pet blog.
Argos Limited is an Appointed Representative of Home Retail Group Insurance Services Limited (HIS). HIS is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (register number 314050). Registered office: 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no 04109436). HIS act as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc, who sell, administer and underwrite the policy and who are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX (registered in England and Wales, no 01007798). HIS and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.
