Companion Animals

Cat Vaccination Schedule and Welfare Protection

Appropriate vaccination protects cats from life-threatening diseases while minimising injection site reactions and over-vaccination risks.

Key Facts

Core cat vaccines protect against feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia
Rabies vaccination is legally required in many countries and before international travel
Injection site sarcoma (FISS) is a rare but serious complication of some vaccination adjuvants
Duration of immunity studies support 3-year intervals for most core vaccines after initial series
Titre testing can assess immunity levels to inform re-vaccination decisions

Welfare Considerations

Vaccination is a highly welfare-positive intervention protecting against painful, often fatal diseases. Welfare-conscious vaccination follows current evidence-based schedules, uses appropriate adjuvant-free or adjuvanted vaccines, and monitors for reactions.

What You Can Do

Follow current WSAVA vaccination guidelines rather than annual for all vaccines
Ask your vet about 3-year intervals for core vaccines after primary course
Monitor injection sites for 3 months following vaccination
Discuss titre testing as an alternative to automatic re-vaccination for indoor cats