Introduction
Booster vaccines for cats are subsequent doses given after the initial series of core and non-core vaccines. They are an important part of maintaining immunity against dangerous infectious diseases like feline panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, rabies, and feline leukemia virus.
Booster vaccines help ensure the cat has continued protection throughout their life against infectious diseases by stimulating the immune system with subsequent vaccine doses. Immunity can wane over time so a booster reactivates the immune response. According to the 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines, regularly scheduled boosters are considered a fundamental component of feline preventive healthcare.
Core Booster Vaccines
There are two primary core booster vaccines recommended for cats by veterinarians:
FVRCP
The FVRCP vaccine provides immunization against three highly contagious feline viruses: feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), calicivirus (C), and panleukopenia (P). FVR is an upper respiratory infection caused by feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) that can lead to symptoms like sneezing, coughing, ocular and nasal discharge. Calicivirus causes oral ulcers and upper respiratory infections. Panleukopenia is a highly contagious and often fatal disease caused by the feline parvovirus that attacks the intestinal tract and bone marrow’s ability to produce white blood cells.
Rabies
The rabies vaccine protects cats against the rabies virus infection, which affects the central nervous system and leads to neurological symptoms and death. Rabies spreads through contact with the saliva of infected animals and is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. Most areas require routine rabies vaccination for cats.
Non-core Booster Vaccines
In addition to the core vaccines, there are some other non-core booster vaccines that may be recommended for cats based on their lifestyle and exposure risks.
Two common non-core vaccines for cats are:
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – FeLV is an infectious disease that weakens a cat’s immune system and makes them prone to other diseases. It spreads through saliva, urine, feces, and mother’s milk. Kittens and outdoor cats face the highest risk of exposure. The FeLV vaccine is usually given as a kitten series followed by annual boosters for at-risk cats. [1]
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) – FIV is a lentivirus that causes an AIDS-like illness in cats. It is transmitted through deep bite wounds, mainly by unneutered male cats fighting over territory. The FIV vaccine is recommended for free-roaming cats who are likely to encounter unknown cats. It requires an initial series followed by annual boosters. [2]
Booster Vaccine Schedule
Veterinarians generally recommend getting booster vaccines for cats every 1-3 years depending on the specific vaccine and the cat’s lifestyle and risk factors. Core vaccines like rabies are usually boosted every 1-3 years, while non-core vaccines may be given less frequently (source: https://www.petmd.com/cat/wellness/essential-cat-vaccinations).
For indoor cats, core vaccines can often be boosted every 3 years. Outdoor cats or those with higher exposure risk may need more frequent boosters. The FVRCP vaccine, which protects against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia, is considered a core vaccine. Current guidelines recommend boostering it every 3 years for indoor cats (source: https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/pet-vaccines-schedules-cats-dogs).
There are some non-core vaccines like feline leukemia that may be given annually or every 2-3 years depending on risk factors. Discussing your cat’s lifestyle and risks with your vet can help determine the ideal frequency for boosters.
Factors That Allow Lateness
Several factors can allow some flexibility in administering booster shots past the recommended timeline. The AAHA Feline Vaccination Guidelines state that “the decision to vaccinate beyond the recommended interval and booster age should be based on a benefit-risk analysis performed by the veterinarian with the client for that individual cat.”
One major consideration is the cat’s health and lifestyle. For an older cat with medical issues, delaying boosters may be advised if vaccination poses too much stress on their health. Indoor cats with minimal exposure to other cats or wildlife are also at lower risk if boosters are late. AAHA guidelines state that “booster intervals may be extended in low-risk environments.”
However, cats with outdoor access that encounter more potential sources of disease should adhere more closely to recommended booster schedules. Their outdoor lifestyle raises the risks if immunity gaps develop from delayed boosters. While some flexibility exists, substantial delays beyond guidelines are not advised, especially for higher-risk cats.
Potential Risks of Delayed Boosters
Delaying or skipping booster vaccines can put cats at risk for developing preventable infectious diseases. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, adult cats that are overdue for vaccines should receive booster vaccines regardless of when they were last vaccinated [1]. Some of the main risks of delaying boosters include:
Disease susceptibility: Booster vaccines help maintain protective antibody levels against diseases like panleukopenia, calicivirus, herpesvirus, and rabies. Allowing too much time to lapse between vaccines can leave cats vulnerable. According to VCA Hospitals, abstaining from some boosters can definitively put cats at risk [2].
Vet Recommendations
Veterinarians generally recommend staying as close to the standard vaccination schedule as possible. However, most understand that life can sometimes get in the way.
According to Dr. Dodds, a world-renowned veterinary scientist, the core vaccines for cats (panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus) can typically be delayed by up to 6 weeks past the due date without requiring restarting the series. She notes that while not ideal, minor delays are unlikely to significantly impact the long-term immunity conferred by the vaccines (https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/preventive-medicine/dog-cat-vaccination-recommendations/).
For the non-core feline leukemia virus vaccine, vets typically recommend staying as close to the initial 2-4 week booster schedule as possible. But if a booster is missed by more than a few weeks, a single booster dose is considered sufficient to renew immunity, rather than restarting the series (https://www.geniusvets.com/pet-care/learn/cats/cat-vaccinations/what-should-i-do-if-i-miss-my-cats-vaccine-due-date).
In summary, vets agree some lateness is acceptable for core vaccines, while minimizing delays is ideal. For non-core vaccines, a single booster can compensate for missed appointments. But excessive delays may warrant restarting the series, so it’s best to consult your vet.
Owner Stories
Many cat owners have experienced giving late booster vaccinations to their cats. Here are some anecdotes from owners on their experiences and outcomes:
Jane D. on Cat Chat Feline Forum writes, “My cat Jasper missed his yearly boosters by a few months when he was 2 years old. My vet said that while not ideal, the gap of a few months wasn’t disastrous. Jasper was still protected from the previous vaccines. He got his late boosters and bloodwork came back normal at his next yearly checkup.” (Source)
Reddit user cats_and_keyboards commented, “One of my cats was overdue for his rabies booster by 2 weeks when I adopted him, so we did his rabies and FVRCP booster as soon as possible. My vet said a short delay isn’t a big deal for adult cats as long as you get them vaccinated as soon as you can. He’s continued to be healthy and rabies-free.”
Michelle K. writes on her blog, “When my cat Domino was 16 years old, he was overdue for his senior wellness exam and boosters. I kept delaying due to his age. When I finally took him in at 17 years old, my vet said the delay wasn’t advisable but administering boosters now would still be beneficial. She gave him low-dose senior boosters which he tolerated well for his age. Better late than never in Domino’s case.”
Final Takeaways
When it comes to cat booster vaccinations, it’s important to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations as closely as possible. However, life happens, and there may be situations where boosters get delayed. Here are the key takeaways to keep in mind:
– Core vaccines like rabies, FVRCP, and FeLV are vital for your cat’s health and should only be delayed when necessary. Non-core boosters can typically be postponed more safely.
– Kittens need a series of boosters to build immunity, so their timing is crucial. For adult cats, boosters can often be delayed a few weeks or months without major risk.
– Factors like indoor vs. outdoor lifestyle, health status, breed risk, and local disease prevalence can influence appropriate booster timing.
– Delaying boosters too long can put your cat at risk of contracting preventable diseases. Work closely with your vet to make an informed decision.
– If a booster is overdue, your vet may recommend antibody titers or an additional booster to get your cat back on schedule.
– Stay vigilant for signs of illness in between boosters, and keep your vet informed if a booster needs to be postponed.
– With careful consideration of your cat’s lifestyle and circumstances, modest booster delays are usually manageable. But strive to keep your cat’s protection current.
References
American Animal Hospital Association. (2022). Canine Vaccination Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.aaha.org/guidelines/canine_vaccination_guidelines/vaccination_recommendations_for_general_practice/
American Animal Hospital Association. (2022). Feline Vaccination Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.aaha.org/guidelines/feline_vaccination_guidelines/vaccine_recommendations/
Brown, C. (2017). Do Cats Need Yearly Vaccines? AAFP Updates Feline Vaccine Guidelines. American Animal Hospital Association. Retrieved from https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2017-06/new-feline-vaccination-guidelines/
Lappin, M. (2021). Feline core and non-core vaccines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 23(8), 715–721. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X211015882
Nichols, C. (2021). How Often Do Cats Need Vaccinations? PetMD. Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/how-often-do-cats-need-vaccinations
Wedderburn, J. (2019). How Often Do Cats Need to be Vaccinated? International Cat Care. Retrieved from https://icatcare.org/advice/how-often-should-i-vaccinate-my-cat/
