PetPass Guide
Cat vaccine schedule 🐱
Every shot a kitten and adult cat typically gets, when each one is due, and how long it's good for — plus what a boarding facility will actually ask to see.
What shots does my cat need for boarding?
Required almost everywhere
- Rabies
- FVRCP
Often asked for too
- FeLV — especially for group housing
- A negative fecal test within the last 6–12 months
Give yourself at least two weeks. Some of these need a second dose weeks after the first before they count, and many facilities won't accept a shot given in the last few days.
Core vaccines
Recommended for every cat, regardless of lifestyle.
Rabies
Required by lawRabies virus
Rabies — fatal once symptoms start, and transmissible to people.
- Kitten series
- One dose at 12–16 weeks, boosted one year later.
- How long it lasts
- Every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine used and local law. Indoor-only cats are still required to be vaccinated in many places.
At the front desk: Required by every cat boarding facility worth using.
FVRCP
Feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), calicivirus, panleukopenia
The two big upper-respiratory viruses plus panleukopenia, which is the feline equivalent of parvo and just as deadly in kittens.
- Kitten series
- A series starting at 6–8 weeks, repeated every 3–4 weeks until 16–20 weeks old, then boosted one year later.
- How long it lasts
- Every 3 years for most adult indoor cats.
At the front desk: Required by essentially every cat boarding facility.
Lifestyle vaccines
Recommended based on where you live and what your cat does — boarding, daycare, hiking, time outdoors.
FeLV
Feline leukemia virus
Feline leukemia, spread cat-to-cat. It's a leading infectious cause of death in cats that go outdoors.
- Kitten series
- Recommended for all kittens: two doses 3–4 weeks apart, boosted one year later.
- How long it lasts
- Every 1–2 years for cats that go outside or live with an infected cat. Often dropped for strictly indoor, single-cat homes.
Rabies is the legal one
Every other vaccine on this page is a recommendation. Rabies is a requirement, and the age, cadence, and which animals it covers are set by your state — sometimes tightened further by your county.
Cat vaccine questions people actually ask
How far in advance should I get my pet vaccinated before boarding?
At least two weeks. Some vaccines need a second dose 2–4 weeks after the first before they count, and many facilities won't accept a shot given in the last 48 hours to 7 days. Booking a trip and vaccinating the same week is the most common reason a drop-off gets refused.
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes. Rabies is legally required for cats in many states regardless of whether they go outside, and panleukopenia (the P in FVRCP) can be carried indoors on shoes and clothing. Indoor-only cats can often skip FeLV as adults — that's a conversation to have with your vet.
What happens if my pet's vaccine is overdue?
It depends on how overdue. A slightly late booster is usually just given as a booster. If enough time has passed, some vaccines need the initial two-dose series restarted, which means planning around a 2–4 week gap. Ask your vet before assuming one visit will fix it.
How do I get my pet's vaccine records from a previous vet?
Call and ask for them in writing. Most clinics will email or print a summary, though a number still fax records to another clinic rather than release them to you. Ask for a copy sent to you directly, then keep your own copy — records that live only at a clinic are the ones that go missing when you move or switch vets.
Keep the record, not the paperwork
Add your cat's shots to PetPass once and it tracks what's due, reminds you before a booster lapses, and gives you a shareable link for the boarder or a new vet.
Start freePetPass isn't a veterinary practice and this page isn't medical or legal advice. Schedules here follow the published AAHA and AAFP vaccination guidelines and describe what's typical — your vet decides what your pet actually needs based on age, health, and where you live. Vaccine law varies by state and county and can change; confirm current requirements with your vet or local animal control before you rely on them.