Kittens should be vaccinated several times at an early age in order to build up good vaccination protection. We can help you find out which vaccinations are recommended for cats, when and how often, and how much they cost.
Which vaccinations do cats need?
No vaccinations are required by law for cats. Vets generally follow the recommendations of the Standing Veterinary Vaccination Commission. The experts represented here provide updates on the vaccination situation at regular intervals. They differentiate between which vaccinations are recommended for all cats and which are only required for certain animals (e.g. outdoor cats) or situations (e.g. areas with increased prevalence).
Vaccinations recommended for all cats:
- Feline influenza
Feline distemper is synonymous with feline plague and feline distemper. It is a viral disease that is highly contagious. The disease can be fatal for unvaccinated kittens. Typical symptoms are exhaustion, fever, diarrhea and vomiting. Treatment involves antibiotics and infusions. - Cat flu
This is not just a cold as we know it from us, but a disease that can have a severe course, especially for younger animals . Affected cats have clogged eyes, have to sneeze frequently and feel very weak. They are given antibiotics and medication to strengthen the immune system.
Partially recommended vaccinations:
- Rabies
Germany has been rabies-free since 2008. However, vaccination is still recommended for outdoor cats, as there is a certain residual risk from the bite of a potentially infected animal. Ask your vet what he or she advises you to do. The StIKo does not consider a rabies vaccination to be necessary for indoor cats. However, you should be aware that some boarding kennels require this vaccination and that it is mandatory when entering another country. - FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
This is a viral disease from the coronavirus group that occurs worldwide. The peritonitis manifests itself through unwillingness to eat, fever and weight loss. Cats often have a fluid-filled abdomen. An antibody test can detect coronaviruses, but not whether they cause FIP. Fortunately, the probability is only around five to ten percent. However, if it does, there is no cure. - Feline leukemia (FeLV)
Vets often recommend vaccination against feline leukemia (also known as feline leukosis) for outdoor cats that have a lot of contact with other animals. The virus is transmitted directly from cat to cat, for example by licking. Many cats can live with the disease without any problems. However, it can also manifest itself through weight loss or inflammation of the gums.
When should cats be vaccinated for the first time?
In the first few weeks of life, kittens are very well protected against infections by the antibodies in their mother's milk. However, from around the 8th week of life, this natural protection decreases continuously. The problem is that this does not always happen at exactly the same time and at the same speed. Therefore, there is no specific date for vaccinating kittens in order to protect them as well as possible against viruses and bacteria. A transitional period is required, because the problem is also: as long as the natural protection still exists (more or less), vaccination protection cannot be fully built up.
To counteract this problem between dwindling and newly built up vaccination protection, the Standing Veterinary Vaccination Commission (StIKo) recommends three vaccinations at relatively short intervals: The first is given in the 8th week of life, the two boosters in the 12th and 16th week of life. The basic immunization is completed with a further vaccination in the 15th month of life.
What does a vaccination cost?
Veterinarians have to bill for services in accordance with the Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT). Nevertheless, the cost of a vaccination can vary, as vets can charge different rates (1 to 3 times the rate) (as is the case with a dentist's bill, for example). In addition, the final amount is calculated by adding together the individual fees for the examination, injection and vaccination certificate. It is therefore only possible to estimate a rough average price for a cat vaccination.
For basic immunization, the cost per vaccination should be expected to be around 40 to 60 euros. As kittens receive three vaccinations and a fourth at around 15 months of age, the cost is around 160 to 240 euros. This also depends on whether the rabies vaccination and/or further vaccinations are desired. In this case, the costs will increase accordingly.
How often do cats need to be vaccinated?
Nobody wants to vaccinate their cat more often than necessary. But it is also not advisable to do without a vaccination. Particularly in the case of basic immunization, insufficient vaccination could result in the vaccination protection not being optimally built up. How often a cat should be vaccinated afterwards depends on the vaccines used. An annual booster may be necessary, but an interval of three years may also be sufficient. Your vet will advise you on this and can make a note of the planned date in the vaccination record. Some vets will also send you a postcard or WhatsApp reminder.
If you are rather critical of vaccinations, you have the option of having the antibody titre checked regularly . This test shows how high your vaccination protection still is. If there is sufficient protection, a booster vaccination can be dispensed with for the time being.
What side effects can vaccinations have?
The serum of a vaccine contains attenuated or killed pathogens of the respective disease. Accordingly, the symptoms may occur in a weakened form. The body then begins to render the unwanted invaders harmless. Antibodies are formed or immune cells are activated for this purpose. As soon as the pathogen has been successfully eliminated, this information is stored by "memory cells". If an infection actually occurs, the body can react very quickly and much more effectively than if initial contact had taken place.
Side effects of vaccinations are extremely rare, but cannot be ruled out. On the one hand, slight swelling at the injection site is not uncommon. This can easily last for several days. Some cats can also be seen to be listless for one to three days and may be less hungry. This normally disappears on its own. It is also possible that symptoms of the disease may appear in a weakened form, such as a slight fever, sneezing or temporary gastrointestinal problems.
Apart from mild side effects, an allergic reaction to the vaccine may occur in very rare cases. This can occur after just a few minutes or a few hours after the injection. It manifests itself in breathing problems and vomiting, among other things. The cat must then be taken back to the vet immediately.
Tip:
Despite possible side effects, it is advisable to vaccinate cats, especially if they live outdoors. If they are not vaccinated, there is a great risk that they will quickly become infected by other animals, which could affect their life expectancy, which is generally shorter than that of indoor cats anyway.