From mischievous kittens to your sleepy senior cats, you want what’s best for your cat at every stage of their life. At Northwest Animal Hospital, we do, too! One of the most important ways to support their lifelong health is through routine vaccinations. No matter their age, vaccines help protect your cat from a variety of serious and often preventable illnesses and viruses.
At Northwest Animal Hospital, we prioritize your cat’s specific needs and will create a vaccination plan based on your cat’s age, health status, and lifestyle. We follow the most up-to-date vaccine guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the Feline Veterinary Medical Association ((FelineVMA) to make sure your cat receives safe and effective protection.
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The Six Life Stages of a Cat
Understanding your cat’s life stage helps us tailor vaccine protocols for optimal protection:
- Kitten (0–6 months)
- Junior (7 months–2 years)
- Prime (3–6 years)
- Mature (7–10 years)
- Senior (11–14 years)
- Geriatric (15+ years)
Every stage of your cat’s life comes with different health considerations, and that includes which vaccines are most important and how often they should be given. At Northwest Animal Hospital, we evaluate your cat’s needs to determine which vaccines are essential for your particular cat. Core vaccines are recommended for all cats to protect against common, serious diseases, while non-core vaccines are given based on lifestyle and risk factors.
Core vs. Lifestyle (Non-Core) Feline Vaccines
Core Cat Vaccinations: These vaccines are recommended for all cats, regardless of whether they live indoors or outdoors. These protect against the most common and serious feline diseases.
Non-Core Cat Vaccinations: These are also known as lifestyle vaccines. These vaccines are given based on your cat’s risk factors, such as exposure to other animals, travel, or outdoor access.
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Core Cat Vaccines (All Life Stages)
These vaccines are considered essential for every cat:
FVRCP – A combination vaccine that protects against:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus)
- Calicivirus
- Panleukopenia (feline distemper)
Rabies – Legally required in many areas and crucial for protecting both your pet and your family from this deadly zoonotic disease.
Lifestyle Cat Vaccines (Given Based on Risk Factors)
We may recommend these vaccines depending on your cat’s activities and environment:
- FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) – Strongly recommended for kittens and cats who spend time outdoors, live in multi-cat households, or are exposed to unknown cats.
- Chlamydia felis – Occasionally recommended in specific cases involving multi-cat households or shelter exposure.
- Bordetella – For cats in high-density environments (boarding, grooming, shelter, etc.)
Feline Vaccine Schedule by Life Stage
The general guidelines we follow for your cat’s vaccines depend on their age and lifestyle. The following is an overview of the vaccines typically recommended at each life stage to help protect your cat from preventable diseases.
Kitten (0–6 months)
- FVRCP: Given every 4 weeks starting at 8 weeks of age, until 16 weeks, then boosted at 6 months old.
- FeLV: First dose at 8-12 weeks, booster 3–4 weeks later.
- Rabies: Typically given around 16 weeks (as per state law).
Junior (7 months–2 years)
- FVRCP: Booster 1-3 years after the initial kitten series.
- Rabies: Booster at 1 year.
- FeLV: Booster at 1 year, then assessed by risk.
Prime (3–6 years)
- FVRCP: Every 3 years (following a booster at 1 year).
- Rabies: Annually or every 3 years, depending on the vaccine used and legal requirements.
- FeLV: Annually or biannually, if indicated by risk.
Mature (7–10 years), Senior (11–14 years), Geriatric (15+ years)
- Vaccine protocols shift toward individualized care. Your vet may adjust recommendations based on:
- Indoor-only vs. outdoor access
- Chronic health conditions
- Immune system strength
- Core vaccines are generally maintained, with lifestyle vaccines administered as needed.
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Why Indoor Cats Still Need Vaccines
Even if your cat lives entirely indoors, care vaccines are still essential. Viruses like feline herpes and panleukopenia don’t need direct contact to affect your cat; they can travel on shoes and clothing from a visitor who has been around an infected cat.
In Ohio, rabies vaccination is required by law for all cats, even those who live exclusively indoors. Rabies virus can be transmitted to humans from animals, so this vaccination is important for both four-legged and two-legged family members.
Customized Vaccine Plans for a Lifetime of Health
At Northwest Animal Hospital, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. We’ll work with you to create a custom vaccine schedule that considers your cat’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors so you can feel confident in their protection at every stage of life.
Schedule Your Cat’s Vaccine Visit Today. Keep your cat safe, healthy, and thriving no matter their age. Call us at (614) 451-4772 or Book Online to schedule a vaccine appointment today.