Cat vaccinations are not as complicated as they first look. There is a kitten series to complete, a booster in the first year, then recurring vaccines at intervals that depend on the vaccine and on your cat's lifestyle. The biggest difference from dogs is that not every cat needs the same set of vaccines.
Vaccinating matters even for cats that never leave the house. Feline panleukopenia is often fatal in unprotected kittens, and the virus is hardy enough to survive in the environment and be carried indoors on shoes and clothing. Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus cause painful, sometimes lifelong upper respiratory disease. An indoor cat can also escape, need boarding, or meet a new cat, so the core vaccine is recommended for every cat regardless of how they live.
Core vaccines: what every cat needs
The core feline vaccine is FVRCP, a single combined shot that protects against three diseases. Rabies is also considered core in regions where the disease is present, and is required for travel. Core vaccines are recommended for all cats, including indoor-only cats.
| Vaccine | Kitten series | First adult booster | Ongoing |
|---|---|---|---|
| FVRCP core Rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), Calicivirus, Panleukopenia |
From 6–8 weeks, then every 3–4 weeks until at least 16 weeks | At 6 months, or one year after the final kitten dose | Every 1–3 years, depending on the vaccine and your cat's risk |
| Rabies core Where endemic, and for travel |
Single dose from 12 weeks | 12 months after the first dose | Every 1–3 years depending on vaccine and country |
The final kitten FVRCP dose needs to be given at or after 16 weeks of age. Antibodies passed from the mother can block earlier doses, so the timing of that last shot matters more than the total number given.
Indoor or outdoor: why lifestyle changes the plan
This is where cats differ most from dogs. An indoor-only cat and a cat that roams outside do not face the same risks, so they do not always need the same vaccines.
Indoor cats need the core FVRCP vaccine. Rabies and FeLV are usually recommended only when there is real exposure risk, which for most indoor adults is low. Outdoor cats, and cats that spend time both inside and out, face a higher risk of rabies through contact with wildlife and of feline leukemia through contact with other cats. For them, FVRCP, rabies, and FeLV together make up the recommended set.
Non-core vaccines: worth discussing with your vet
These depend on your cat's specific exposure. A cat that hunts outdoors, lives in a multi-cat home, or stays in boarding faces different risks than one that never leaves a quiet apartment.
| Vaccine | Consider if your cat... | Typical schedule |
|---|---|---|
| FeLV Feline leukemia virus |
Goes outdoors, lives with outdoor cats, or is a kitten in its first year | 2 doses 3–4 weeks apart, booster at 1 year, then every 1–3 years by risk |
| Bordetella | Stays in boarding, or lives in a shelter or multi-cat household | Single intranasal dose, usually before boarding |
| Chlamydophila felis | Lives in a breeding colony or large group of cats | Initial course, then annual booster if risk continues |
What changes by country
The core FVRCP schedule is consistent across Europe, following WSAVA guidelines. What differs is whether rabies is legally required for cats, which non-core vaccines are common practice, and whether your cat needs an up-to-date passport for travel within the EU.
- Rabies is not legally required for resident cats, but is strongly recommended for outdoor cats and required for EU travel
- FVRCP is standard for all cats, indoor or outdoor
- FeLV recommended for cats with outdoor access
- Microchip required for any cross-border travel
- Rabies is not legally required for most resident cats, but is mandatory for travel within the EU and recommended for outdoor cats
- FVRCP given to all cats as standard practice
- Annual wellness visits with a vaccination review are the norm
- EU pet passport required for travel between member states
- Rabies is mandatory by law for dogs, but for cats only inside designated rabies-risk zones declared by regional authorities, not nationwide
- These zones change over time, so check current local notices if your cat goes outdoors
- Rabies recommended for all outdoor cats given the wildlife reservoir
- Required, with a passport, for any EU travel
- Rabies is compulsory for dogs; for cats it is not legally mandatory nationwide, but is recommended and required for EU travel
- FVRCP recommended for all cats year-round
- Microchip and registration apply to cats as well as dogs
- EU pet passport issued by any licensed vet
- Rabies rules vary by region; it is compulsory for dogs in most areas but generally recommended rather than required for cats
- FVRCP is standard for all cats
- FeLV recommended for outdoor cats, which are common in warmer regions
- Rabies and a passport required for travel between EU countries
Adult cats with an unknown history
If you have adopted an adult cat with missing records, the approach is simple. A single dose of the core FVRCP vaccine is usually enough for a cat over 16 weeks to develop immunity, with a booster sometimes advised. Rabies, where needed, is given as a single dose. For FeLV, vets test first and only vaccinate FeLV-negative cats. Your vet can also run a titre test to check existing immunity before revaccinating.
Deworm before you vaccinate
Vets often recommend deworming a cat about two weeks before a vaccination. A cat carrying a heavy parasite load may not respond to a vaccine as well, so clearing parasites first helps the immune system do its job. It is easy to forget, because deworming and vaccination are usually thought of as separate tasks on separate days.
How lifestyle affects your cat's Health Score
PetSense adjusts the vaccination part of your cat's Health Score based on their lifestyle. Set it to Indoor, Outdoor, or Both in the profile, and an indoor cat is not marked down for skipping rabies or FeLV if they do not need them. An outdoor or indoor-outdoor cat is assessed on FVRCP, rabies, and FeLV together.
A simple way to stay on track
Different cat vaccines repeat on different cycles, which makes it easy to lose track between vet visits. PetSense keeps the full schedule in one place and reminds you before anything is due. You add each vaccine once, and the app calculates when the next one is due from the date you enter. For a full walkthrough, see the guide to tracking vaccinations in PetSense.
- Decide whether your cat is indoor, outdoor, or both, and set it in the profile
- Complete the kitten FVRCP series, finishing at or after 16 weeks
- Add rabies and FeLV for cats with outdoor access
- Track the next due date for each vaccine, not just the last visit
- Check your cat's rabies status and passport before any cross-border travel
If you also have a dog, the core vaccine set is different. The dog vaccination schedule guide covers what dogs need and how it varies across Europe.
Keep your cat's vaccination schedule in PetSense
Set a lifestyle, add vaccines, and track your cat's Health Score in one place.