Cat Vaccination Schedule: What Your Kitten Needs and When

Vaccinating a kitten protects against diseases that spread quickly and are often fatal in young cats, particularly in households or compounds with more than one animal. The schedule below is a general guide. Your vet may adjust timing based on your kitten's age, health and exposure risk, and that adjustment is normal rather than a red flag.

The core vaccines

Most vets in Nigeria follow a schedule close to this:

• 6 to 8 weeks: first combination vaccine, usually covering feline panleukopenia, calicivirus and herpesvirus (often grouped as FVRCP)
• 10 to 12 weeks: second dose of the combination vaccine
• 14 to 16 weeks: third dose, plus rabies vaccine where recommended
• 12 months: first annual booster
• Ongoing: annual or triennial boosters depending on the vaccine and your vet's protocol

Kittens need more than one dose because antibodies from their mother's milk can interfere with a single early vaccine, so the series is spaced out to make sure protection actually builds up.

Rabies matters here

Rabies is present in Nigeria and is fatal once symptoms appear, in both animals and people. Even a strictly indoor cat should be vaccinated, since bats and other animals can occasionally get into homes, and plans change. If you ever travel with your cat or need documentation for any reason, a rabies certificate is usually required.

Finding a vet if you don't have one

If you got your kitten from a breeder or a shop, ask whether any vaccines have already been given and get the record, ideally with dates and the vaccine brand. Starting a new vet relationship with an incomplete or unclear history is one of the most common reasons kittens end up double-vaccinated or under-vaccinated.

When looking for a vet, a few questions help you gauge whether they're a good fit:

• Do they keep written vaccination records you can take with you if you move?
• Are they reachable by phone or WhatsApp for basic questions between visits?
• Do they explain what each vaccine protects against, rather than just administering it?

Cost and access

Vaccine cost varies by clinic and by brand, and it's reasonable to call more than one clinic to compare before committing to a full course. Some veterinary clinics and NGOs run subsidised vaccination days, particularly around World Rabies Day in September, which is worth watching for if cost is a barrier.

After the appointment

It's normal for a kitten to be a little quiet or off their food for a day after a vaccine. Mild swelling at the injection site can happen too. Persistent vomiting, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or collapse are not normal and need urgent attention, though genuine allergic reactions to vaccines are uncommon.

Keep a simple written or phone record of every vaccine date and type. It sounds unnecessary until you need it, whether that's for a second vet, a boarding facility, or travel.