What shots do kittens need?

Three core ones: FVRCP (herpesvirus, calicivirus, panleukopenia) every 3-4 weeks from 6-8 weeks old, rabies at 12-16 weeks, and FeLV for kittens under one year.

How much do kitten shots cost?

Roughly $15-$45 per vaccine: FVRCP $15-$40, rabies $15-$25, FeLV $10-$25, plus an exam fee of $50-$100 per visit. The full kitten series runs about $110-$280.

Does my indoor cat need a rabies shot?

Yes in most states - it is a legal requirement, not a lifestyle choice, because rabies exposure can happen indoors and the disease is always fatal once symptomatic.

When is a kitten fully protected?

About 7-10 days after the final dose at 16-20 weeks. Until then, keep your kitten away from unknown cats and outdoor areas where unvaccinated animals go.

Wellness care · 6 min read

Kitten shots: the complete vaccination schedule

FVRCP, rabies and FeLV by age, which shots indoor kittens still need, what the series costs, and whether wellness insurance is worth it for cats.

Reviewed by the PetsHealthHub editorial teamLast updated October 2026

Kitten vaccinations follow the same logic as puppy shots: a series of combo doses every three to four weeks until the kitten's immune system can hold its own protection. The names are different - FVRCP instead of DHPP, FeLV instead of lepto - but the calendar is just as strict. Here is the schedule the AAHA and AAFP guidelines lay out.

The kitten schedule by age

01
6-8 weeks
First FVRCP shot - a single combo covering feline herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleukopenia (feline distemper). FeLV can start at 8 weeks for kittens with any outdoor or multi-cat exposure.
02
10-12 weeks
Second FVRCP. Second FeLV dose if the series started at 8 weeks.
03
14-16 weeks
Third FVRCP plus the rabies shot, legally required in most states even for indoor cats. Second FeLV if the series started later.
04
16-20 weeks
A possible fourth FVRCP where vets extend the series for high-risk kittens. FeLV finishes its two-dose kitten series here at the latest.
05
One year later
Boosters for FVRCP, rabies and FeLV. Adult indoor-only cats typically move to every-three-years FVRCP and legal-interval rabies; FeLV continues annually only if risk remains.

Do indoor kittens really need all this?

Yes, and rabies is not optional regardless of lifestyle: most states require it by law because bats get indoors and rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear. FVRCP protects against viruses that ride in on your shoes and clothing, so indoor-only kittens still need the full series. FeLV is the one genuine lifestyle question - the guidelines now recommend it for all kittens under one year, then annually only if the adult cat goes outside or lives with FeLV-positive cats.

If a kitten shot is missed and the gap stretches too long, the series may need to restart from the beginning. Put every booster date in your phone the day you book it.

Paying for it: the wellness add-on question

Cat insurance is cheaper than dog insurance, and the same rule applies: base accident-and-illness policies exclude routine vaccines. A wellness add-on can reimburse shots, but run the math - if the add-on costs $15 a month and reimburses $200 of kitten-year care you would buy anyway, it pays. If it costs more than the care it covers, it is just an expensive savings account.