Vaccinating Kittens

When a kitten is born it is protected by antibodies passed on from its mother in the first milk.  The amount that the kitten receives varies but these antibodies can also prevent vaccination from working properly.  This is one of the reasons that a kitten needs two to three injections for full cover.

Kittens should be first vaccinated at 6 to 8 weeks and then every four weeks until they are around 16 weeks old.  A kitten will not be fully protected until 7 to 10 days after the last vaccination so should not be allowed contact with animals from outside the household until then and only if their worm treatments are up to date.  Thereafter, the cat will require repeat vaccinations (probably annually) throughout the rest of its life as recommended by a veterinarian.