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With routine vet care, vaccines are a critical aspect to consider. Your kitten will get to know their vet very well in their first year of life. On top of their initial vaccination protocol, they will also need to see the vet for spay or neuter surgery, microchipping, flea and worm treatment and other aspects of routine care.
But if vaccines are heavy on your mind, you might want to know just how much to budget. In this article, we’ll explain the cost you can expect to see from veterinary offices and any additional costs you might consider before scheduling your cat appointment.
The Importance of Cat Vaccinations
Cat vaccinations are essential, especially during a kitten’s early life. They protect against a range of diseases, some of which can cause serious illness or even be fatal. Very young kittens are particularly vulnerable to infections because the maternal antibodies they receive through their mother’s milk begin to decrease after weaning. This creates a window of susceptibility before their immune system is fully developed. Timely vaccinations help build and maintain protective immunity during this period and beyond, with booster doses ensuring long-term protection.
Cat vaccines are classified into core and non-core vaccines by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). This classification helps understand the importance of each vaccine. Core vaccines are recommended for all cats, regardless of their lifestyle or location, because they protect against highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases. Non-core vaccines are recommended only for cats at risk of specific infections due to their geographical location, lifestyle, or local environment.
Core vaccines include: Feline Parvovirus (Panleukopenia), Feline Herpesvirus-1 (Rhinotracheitis), Feline Calicivirus, Rabies, and Feline Leukemia Virus (for cats younger than 1 year of age).
Non-core vaccines include: Feline Leukemia Virus (for cats older than 1 year of age), Chlamydophila felis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica.
How Much Do Cat Vaccinations Cost?
Cat vaccines are classified into core and non-core vaccines by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). This classification helps understand the importance of each vaccine. Core vaccines are essential for all cats, regardless of their environment, because they protect against severe, life-threatening diseases. Non-core vaccines are recommended only for cats at risk of specific infections due to their geographical location, lifestyle, or local environment.
| Vaccine | Average Cost |
| Rabies | $20-$30 |
| Feline Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1)/Calicivirus/Panleukopenia | $20-$40 |
| Feline Leukemia Virus | $25-$45 |
| Chlamydophila felis | $20-$40 |
| Bordetella bronchiseptica | $10-$30 |
Low-Cost Options to Consider
There are ways to save on vaccination costs in almost every area across the United States. Many shelters offer low-cost vet preventive care at a fraction of the cost of traditional vets. This could be in the form of mobile clinics or brick-and-mortar shelter locations.
They might also have savings programs to help you afford the treatment so your cat can get the medical care they need without the burden of high cost. Always check in your local area to see what the options are for you. Sometimes, these services require that you get on a waiting list.
Additional Costs to Anticipate
When your cat goes in to get their routine vaccinations, you might not be anticipating all of the vaccines they could need. On top of vaccines, your vet might determine that other avenues of treatment or care are essential.
If your cat is examined, your vet might have other concerns about its health. Most of the time, it will be a routine visit that will take only a few minutes once you’re back with the vet. But sometimes, we don’t anticipate additional issues that might come up.
To be on the safe side, always expect to spend a bit more than your area’s average cost of vaccines. This way, you have a cushion if your vet feels any additional testing is required.
- Fecal Exams: $20-$30
- FeLV/FIV testing: $40-$50
- Flea and Tick Prevention: $40+
- Heartworm prevention: $40-$120
- Deworming treatment: $25+
- Heartworm test: $20-$50
How Often Should I Vaccinate My Cat
After completing the initial vaccination protocol, your cat will need regular booster shots to maintain the protection against diseases. Depending on factors such as your cat’s lifestyle (indoor, outdoor, or both), the environmental risks, and the type of vaccine, boosters are typically administered every 1 to 3 years. Your veterinarian will determine the most appropriate vaccination schedule based on these factors, with lifestyle being one of the most important considerations.
Many factors can affect how your veterinarian chooses to vaccinate your cat. One of the biggest factors is whether they are outdoor, indoor, or both—as it changes risk factors.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat Vaccinations?
In many cases, pet insurance does not cover preventative care. But that is not the case for every company. Some insurance companies have the option to include it in coverage for additional costs. If vaccination coverage or preventative care is something you want, make sure to see if the pet insurance company you were interested in has the option to add it to the policy.
What to Do After Your Cat Is Vaccinated
Most of the time, you don’t need to take any special measures once your cats return home. While mild reactions can occur, they are generally uncommon. Possible side effects include lethargy, a mild fever, or slight swelling at the injection site. If you notice any concerning signs, it’s important to contact your veterinarian right away. Your vet can assess the situation and also report any adverse reactions to the vaccine manufacturer.
An allergic reaction to the vaccine is also possible. The most severe type is anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Fortunately, this is extremely uncommon. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), anaphylaxis occurs in approximately 1 to 5 cases per 10,000 vaccinations in cats. Other sources, such as the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), report even lower rates—about 1 case per 555,000 vaccinations.
Another serious but rare complication is an injection-site sarcoma, an aggressive tumor that can develop where the vaccine was administered. For this reason, your veterinarian may choose to administer vaccines in the limbs rather than between the shoulders. If a sarcoma develops, it’s easier to remove surgically from a limb.
Conclusion
Vaccinations are definitely a standard and routine part of cat care. You should always include vaccination costs into your yearly pet care budget. Since most pet insurance companies do not cover vaccines, remember you’ll likely have to pay for them out of pocket.
You’ll spend the most on vaccines during your kitten’s first year, as this is when they receive their core immunizations to build protection during their most vulnerable months. After that, costs typically decrease with boosters given annually or every three years, depending on your cat’s individual risk factors and regional recommendations. Vaccine prices can also vary by location and clinic, so it’s worth checking with your local vet for exact figures.
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Featured Image Credit: bmf-foto.de, Shutterstock
