How many vaccine visits does a kitten need?

Usually three to four between 6 and 20 weeks for the FVRCP series, with FeLV and rabies added along the way (VCA). Your vet's schedule may differ slightly.

Does an indoor kitten need the FeLV vaccine?

VCA treats FeLV as core for all kittens and cats up to one year. After that, your vet decides based on exposure risk.

When should a kitten be spayed or neutered?

Commonly around five to six months, before the first heat, though practices vary. Your veterinarian will recommend timing.

How much do kitten vaccines cost?

Core vaccines are commonly $15 to $40 each (Webvet, July 2026). See our vaccination cost guide for sources and bundle examples.

Kitten health

Kitten health: the first-year schedule

A kitten's first year sets up a lifetime of care: the FVRCP series, FeLV testing and vaccination, deworming, parasite prevention, spay or neuter and the habits that make vet visits easier later. Here is the schedule by week and a checklist to keep it recorded.

By the PetVitale editorial team · Last reviewed 2026-10-19 · Sources listed below

The short answer

Kittens start FVRCP at 6 to 8 weeks and repeat every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 to 20 weeks; rabies is given per local law (VCA).
VCA treats FeLV as a core vaccine for kittens and cats up to one year.
The AAHA new kitten checklist covers the first exam, testing, deworming, litter and diet steps to plan for.

Kitten vaccine schedule by week

Typical schedule from VCA Animal Hospitals; your vet may adjust
Age	What happens
6 to 8 weeks	First FVRCP; first exam; deworming; FeLV/FIV testing discussed
10 to 12 weeks	Second FVRCP; first FeLV vaccine for kittens
12 to 16 weeks	Rabies vaccine per local law; third FVRCP; second FeLV
16 to 20 weeks	Final FVRCP of the series
About 1 year	First adult boosters; low-risk indoor adults may then move to longer intervals

The AAHA/AAFP 2020 feline vaccination guidelines are the detailed reference your veterinarian follows.

Testing, deworming and parasites

FeLV and FIV testing is commonly done at the first visits, before vaccination, so the result is in the record from the start.
Kittens are usually dewormed at the early visits and then started on a preventive per your vet's product and the label's age and weight limits.
Flea control matters even for indoor kittens, because fleas arrive on people and other pets.
Microchip at a vaccine visit and register your details.

Spay or neuter timing

Many veterinarians and shelters spay or neuter kittens around five to six months, before the first heat, though timing varies by practice. Ask your vet, and see the cost guide for what the surgery typically costs.

Litter, diet and handling

Feed a diet labelled for growth, measured rather than free-fed, and weigh monthly.
Provide at least one litter box per cat plus one, scooped daily; litter habits become your best health signal.
Practise gentle handling of paws, ears and mouth now; it makes nail trims, tooth brushing and exams easier for life.
Get the kitten used to the carrier as a normal place to nap, not only a trip to the vet.

First-year kitten checklist

Book the first exam within a few days of bringing the kitten home.
Create the record: shelter or breeder paperwork, test results, first vaccines, deworming dates.
Set reminders for each vaccine visit and the parasite preventive.
Register the microchip and note the number.
Decide spay or neuter timing with your vet.
Log monthly weights through the first year.

Questions pet parents ask

Sources

Vaccines for cats — VCA Animal Hospitals
New kitten checklist — American Animal Hospital Association
2020 AAHA/AAFP feline vaccination guidelines — American Animal Hospital Association

Vaccination checklistKitten schedule as a checklist you can save.Vaccination cost Spay and neuter cost Cat health guide

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Prices are published estimates that vary by clinic, region and your pet's needs — ask your veterinarian for a written estimate. PetVitale organizes your pet's records and reminders; it does not replace your vet.