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Cat vaccination schedule

The core combination — cat flu and panleukopenia — plus leukaemia and rabies, as practised in sixteen countries, starting with the United Kingdom. For guidance only.

United Kingdom protocolIndicativePublished on Updated on

These schedules are indicative. An indoor cat and a cat that goes out do not carry the same risk, and so may not follow the same protocol: your vet always has the final say.

What vaccinations does a cat need in the United Kingdom?

9 wks1st injection
12 wks2nd · protection acquired
VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
RCP (flu + panleukopenia)the combined cat shot: cat flu and panleukopenia — yearly booster9 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
FeLVfeline leukaemia, for cats that go outside — yearly booster9 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Rabiestravel only12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years

PDSA says all cats in the UK, even indoor cats, need to be vaccinated against cat flu (feline herpesvirus and calicivirus) and feline parvovirus (panleukopenia, infectious enteritis), and that a cat that goes outside, even just into the garden, also needs the feline leukaemia vaccine. The BSAVA vaccination statement lists feline enteritis (parvovirus), cat flu (calicivirus and herpesvirus) and the feline leukaemia vaccine as the core vaccines for cats in the UK, the last one for young cats and for older cats with outdoor access or living with cats that have it. It calls rabies vaccination a legal requirement for cats travelling abroad or returning to the UK, and lists it as non-core. BSAVA also notes that boosters are less straightforward in cats than in dogs, because the data-sheet recommendations vary significantly between vaccines.

What vaccinations does a cat need in Ireland?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
Cat flu + enteritis (RCP)the cat's core shot: cat flu (herpesvirus + calicivirus) and panleukopaenia — « feline enteritis » locally8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
FeLVfeline leukaemia — for cats with outdoor access or living with cats that go out, after testing8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Rabiesrabies — for travel only: Ireland is rabies-free, no requirement for a resident cat12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years

AnimaPulse's Irish scheme says of the combined shot: "the cat's core shot: cat flu (herpesvirus + calicivirus) and panleukopaenia — « feline enteritis » locally". For rabies it says: "rabies — for travel only: Ireland is rabies-free, no requirement for a resident cat". The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) gives Ireland's rabies status as "absent", with 1903 as the date of the last known case.

What vaccinations does a cat need in the United States?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
FVRCPthe core cat combo: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia — booster at 1 year, then every 3 years8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years
Rabiesrequired by law in most states — ask your vet12 weekslegal requirement, varies by local ruleslegal requirement, varies by local rules
FeLVfeline leukemia — depends on your cat's lifestyle, ask your vet; yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year

According to AAHA/AAFP guidelines, the core vaccines for pet and shelter cats are those against feline herpesvirus 1, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia virus and rabies, plus feline leukaemia for cats under a year old. For older cats the leukaemia vaccine is non-core, chosen according to lifestyle, geographic location and exposure risk; Chlamydia felis and Bordetella vaccines are non-core too. For rabies, AnimaPulse's US scheme says: "required by law in most states — ask your vet".

What vaccinations does a cat need in Canada?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
FVRCPthe core cat combo: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia — booster at 1 year, then every 3 years8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years
Rabiesrequired by law in several provinces — ask your vet12 weekslegal requirement, varies by local ruleslegal requirement, varies by local rules
FeLVfeline leukaemia — depends on the cat's lifestyle, ask your vet; yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year

For rabies, AnimaPulse's Canadian scheme says: "required by law in several provinces — ask your vet". Ontario's rabies immunization regulation (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 567) names the cat, the dog and the ferret: their owner must have them immunised against rabies, and immunised again by the date on the vaccination certificate. The CVMA position statement says veterinarians must understand the legal requirement for rabies vaccination where they practise and pass it on to owners.

What vaccinations does a cat need in Australia?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
F3the core cat combo (F3): feline enteritis, herpesvirus and calicivirus — booster at 1 year, then every 3 years6 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years
FeLVfeline leukaemia — depends on the cat's lifestyle, ask your vet; yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year

DAFF describes Australia as one of the few countries in the world that remains free of rabies. In AnimaPulse's Australian scheme the combined shot is "the core cat combo (F3): feline enteritis, herpesvirus and calicivirus — booster at 1 year, then every 3 years", and the leukaemia vaccine: "feline leukaemia — depends on the cat's lifestyle, ask your vet; yearly booster".

What vaccinations does a cat need in South Africa?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
FVRCP (3-in-1)the core cat combo: panleukopenia and cat flu (herpesvirus, calicivirus) — booster at 1 year then every 3 years8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years
Rabiesrequired by national law: first shot at 3 months, booster within 12 months, then at least every 3 years — yearly in endemic areas12 weekslegal requirement, varies by local ruleslegal requirement, varies by local rules
FeLVfeline leukaemia, for cats that go outdoors — yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year

For rabies, AnimaPulse's South African scheme says: "required by national law: first shot at 3 months, booster within 12 months, then at least every 3 years — yearly in endemic areas". The Department of Agriculture's rabies guide for medical, veterinary and allied professions says the entire country was declared rabies-endemic during 1999 and that vaccination is compulsory for all dogs and cats.

What vaccinations does a cat need in the Netherlands?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
Kattenziekte-niesziektethe cat's core shot: kattenziekte (panleukopenia) and niesziekte (cat flu: calici + herpes) — yearly visit: niesziekte every year (except low-risk indoor cats), panleukopenia every 3 years8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks252 days after the primary courseevery year
FeLVfeline leukaemia — a tailored vaccine for cats that go outdoors, after testing8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Rabiësrabies — for travel only; the interval depends on the vaccine (1 year, then 2 or 3 years)12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 2 years

What vaccinations does a cat need in Belgium?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
RCP (typhus-coryza)the cat's core shot: cat flu (herpesvirus + calicivirus) and panleukopenia — yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
FeLVfeline leukaemia — for cats with outdoor access or living with cats that go out, after testing8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Ragerabies — for travel only: Belgium is rabies-free, no requirement for a resident cat12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years

What vaccinations does a cat need in Luxembourg?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
RCPthe cat's core shot: cat flu (herpesvirus + calicivirus) and panleukopenia — yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
FeLVfeline leukaemia — for cats with outdoor access or living with cats that go out, after testing8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Ragerabies — for travel only: the law only requires it for dogs, Luxembourg is rabies-free12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years

What vaccinations does a cat need in Switzerland?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
RCPthe cat's core shot: panleukopenia and cat flu (herpesvirus, calicivirus) — yearly for outdoor or group-living cats, every 3 years for a lone indoor cat8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks252 days after the primary courseevery year
FeLVfeline leukaemia — for outdoor cats or cats in contact with cats of unknown status, after a negative test; yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks280 days after the primary courseevery year
Tollwutrabies — not compulsory in Switzerland, required for travel; first booster at 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine, then every 3 years12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years

What vaccinations does a cat need in Austria?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
RCPthe cat's core shot: panleukopenia every 3 years, cat flu (herpesvirus, calicivirus) yearly — every 2 to 3 years if the risk is very low8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks252 days after the primary courseevery year
FeLVfeline leukaemia — for outdoor cats, after testing; yearly booster, every 2 to 3 years after age 38 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Tollwutrabies — a core vaccine for outdoor cats; not compulsory in Austria, required for travel; interval depends on the vaccine12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years

What vaccinations does a cat need in Brazil?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
V3/V4the cat's multi-shot: panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus (V3), plus chlamydia (V4) — yearly booster9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
FeLV (leucemia felina)feline leukaemia — for cats that go outdoors or live with cats that do, after testing; often included in the V58 weeks, 11 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Raivarabies — required by local rules (state or city) for cats, from 3 months; schedule set by local rules and the vaccine, often yearly3 monthslegal requirement, varies by local ruleslegal requirement, varies by local rules

What vaccinations does a cat need in Mexico?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
Triple felinathe core cat combo: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia — yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Rabiarabies — required by local (state) rules for dogs and cats; from 3 months, then every year; free at public health posts3 monthslegal requirement, varies by local ruleslegal requirement, varies by local rules
FeLVfeline leukemia — depends on your cat's lifestyle, ask your vet8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 2 years

What vaccinations does a cat need in Argentina?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
Triple felinathe combined cat shot: panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis — yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Rabiarabies — required by national law for dogs and cats, from 3 months; booster usually yearly, depending on the vaccine3 monthslegal requirement, varies by local ruleslegal requirement, varies by local rules
Leucemia felinafeline leukaemia — depending on your cat's lifestyle, after testing; ask your vet8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year

What vaccinations does a cat need in Colombia?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
Triple felinathe combined cat shot: panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis — yearly booster8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Rabiarabies — required by health regulations for dogs and cats, from 3 months; yearly booster recommended3 monthslegal requirement, varies by local ruleslegal requirement, varies by local rules
Leucemia felinafeline leukaemia — depending on your cat's lifestyle, after testing; ask your vet8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year

What vaccinations does a cat need in Poland?

VaccinePrimary courseFirst boosterThen
RCPthe cat's core shot: panleukopenia and cat flu (herpesvirus, calicivirus) — cat flu every year, panleukopenia every 3 years depending on the vaccine8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
FeLVfeline leukaemia — for cats with outdoor access or living with cats that go out, after testing8 weeks, 12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery year
Wściekliznarabies — not compulsory for cats in Poland unless a regulation imposes it in your area; required for travel; interval depends on the vaccine12 weeks1 year after the primary courseevery 3 years

What does the core cat vaccine protect against?

Panleukopenia (feline infectious enteritis). The ABCD guideline on the disease says the virus is shed in high amounts in the faeces and stays infectious in the environment for months, that diseased cats have a poor prognosis, with fewer than half surviving even after intensive care, and that contaminated cages, litter trays, bowls, shoes and clothing can play an important role in transmission. It calls the vaccine a core vaccine.

Cat flu. According to PDSA, cat flu causes symptoms similar to a human cold or flu, is extremely contagious and spreads in saliva, snot, sneezes and on items such as food bowls and bedding. It can be serious, especially in kittens, and some cats that catch it become carriers and keep having symptoms throughout life.

What do RCP, FVRCP and F3 mean?

Each country names the combined vaccine in its own way. In AnimaPulse's schemes:

  • United Kingdom, RCP: "the combined cat shot: cat flu and panleukopenia — yearly booster".
  • Ireland, RCP: "the cat's core shot: cat flu (herpesvirus + calicivirus) and panleukopaenia — « feline enteritis » locally".
  • United States, FVRCP: "the core cat combo: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia — booster at 1 year, then every 3 years".
  • Canada, FVRCP: "the core cat combo: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia — booster at 1 year, then every 3 years".
  • Australia, F3: "the core cat combo (F3): feline enteritis, herpesvirus and calicivirus — booster at 1 year, then every 3 years".
  • South Africa, FVRCP (3-in-1): "the core cat combo: panleukopenia and cat flu (herpesvirus, calicivirus) — booster at 1 year then every 3 years".

Does my cat need the feline leukaemia (FeLV) vaccine?

The ABCD guideline on feline leukaemia virus infection says the main source is progressively infected cats shedding the virus, and that it spreads through grooming, biting and shared food and water bowls; kittens are the most susceptible. It says all at-risk cats should be vaccinated, and that cats should be screened for the virus first to avoid vaccinating one that is already infected, since the vaccine gives it no benefit. BSAVA also recommends testing before vaccination where possible, because no FeLV vaccine is fully effective. The WSAVA guidelines say that where FeLV-related diseases are endemic, the vaccine should be considered core for young cats and for adult cats with outdoor access or living with cats that have it. AAHA/AAFP likewise treat it as core for cats under a year old and as a risk-based choice for older ones.

In AnimaPulse's schemes:

  • United Kingdom: "feline leukaemia, for cats that go outside — yearly booster".
  • Ireland: "feline leukaemia — for cats with outdoor access or living with cats that go out, after testing".
  • United States: "feline leukemia — depends on your cat's lifestyle, ask your vet; yearly booster".
  • Canada: "feline leukaemia — depends on the cat's lifestyle, ask your vet; yearly booster".
  • Australia: "feline leukaemia — depends on the cat's lifestyle, ask your vet; yearly booster".
  • South Africa: "feline leukaemia, for cats that go outdoors — yearly booster".

Is rabies vaccination compulsory for cats?

AnimaPulse's reference schemes say:

  • United Kingdom: "travel only".
  • Ireland: "rabies — for travel only: Ireland is rabies-free, no requirement for a resident cat".
  • United States: "required by law in most states — ask your vet".
  • Canada: "required by law in several provinces — ask your vet".
  • South Africa: "required by national law: first shot at 3 months, booster within 12 months, then at least every 3 years — yearly in endemic areas".

Where the obligation is a legal one, the tables give "legal requirement, varies by local rules" instead of a date: AnimaPulse flags the obligation without inventing a deadline it cannot know.

Does an indoor cat need to be vaccinated?

PDSA says all cats in the UK, even indoor cats, need to be vaccinated against cat flu and feline parvovirus. The ABCD guideline says that even cats with an indoor-only lifestyle cannot always avoid encountering the panleukopenia virus, because it is so stable in the environment and can be carried on objects. What else your cat needs depends on its real life, which your vet will ask about.

How will I remember my cat's boosters?

Enter the vaccine in AnimaPulse and the app works out the next due date from the date you entered, then reminds you seven days before and again the day before. The calendar it proposes follows the country where your cat lives, not the language of your phone.

Is rabies vaccination compulsory for cats in continental Europe and Latin America?

AnimaPulse's reference schemes say:

  • Netherlands: "rabies — for travel only; the interval depends on the vaccine (1 year, then 2 or 3 years)".
  • Belgium: "rabies — for travel only: Belgium is rabies-free, no requirement for a resident cat".
  • Luxembourg: "rabies — for travel only: the law only requires it for dogs, Luxembourg is rabies-free".
  • Switzerland: "rabies — not compulsory in Switzerland, required for travel; first booster at 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine, then every 3 years".
  • Austria: "rabies — a core vaccine for outdoor cats; not compulsory in Austria, required for travel; interval depends on the vaccine".
  • Brazil: "rabies — required by local rules (state or city) for cats, from 3 months; schedule set by local rules and the vaccine, often yearly".
  • Mexico: "rabies — required by local (state) rules for dogs and cats; from 3 months, then every year; free at public health posts".
  • Argentina: "rabies — required by national law for dogs and cats, from 3 months; booster usually yearly, depending on the vaccine".
  • Colombia: "rabies — required by health regulations for dogs and cats, from 3 months; yearly booster recommended".
  • Poland: "rabies — not compulsory for cats in Poland unless a regulation imposes it in your area; required for travel; interval depends on the vaccine".

Frequently asked questions

At what age can a kitten have its first vaccination?

In AnimaPulse's UK reference scheme the combined cat flu and panleukopenia vaccine is given at 9 and 12 weeks. Other countries use other ages: see the primary course column of each table.

How often does a cat need booster vaccinations?

In AnimaPulse's UK scheme the combined vaccine has a first booster 1 year after the primary course, then boosters every year, and the leukaemia vaccine boosters come every year. BSAVA notes that the data-sheet recommendations for cat boosters vary significantly between vaccines, so ask your vet which applies to the vaccine your cat received.

Does an indoor cat need to be vaccinated?

PDSA says yes, at least against cat flu and feline parvovirus: all cats in the UK, even indoor ones, need those vaccines. The ABCD guideline adds that even indoor-only cats cannot always avoid the panleukopenia virus.

Does my cat need a rabies vaccine?

It depends on the country. AnimaPulse's UK scheme says: "travel only", and BSAVA calls rabies vaccination a legal requirement for cats travelling abroad or returning to the UK. In the United States, Canada and South Africa the schemes describe it as a legal requirement (see the section above).

Does my cat need the feline leukaemia vaccine?

ABCD says all at-risk cats should be vaccinated after being screened for the virus. BSAVA and WSAVA treat it as core for young cats and for older cats with outdoor access or living with cats that have it. Your vet will assess your cat's risk.

Sources — United Kingdom

Sources — Ireland

Sources — United States

Sources — Canada

Sources — Australia

Sources — South Africa

Sources — Netherlands

Sources — Belgium

Sources — Luxembourg

Sources — Switzerland

Sources — Austria

Sources — Brazil

Sources — Mexico

Sources — Argentina

Sources — Colombia

Sources — Poland

Other sources cited on this page

These tables come from the same data as the app's vaccination assistant, and the sentences above that quote "AnimaPulse's scheme" repeat that data's own wording.

The kitten schedule, off your mind

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Page updated on 11 November 2026.