Updated July 26, 2026·5 minper AAFPAnswer — in the first paragraph ↓
ADULT CAT · BOOSTERS
An adult cat needs two shots: the FVRCP combo every 3 years and rabies every 1–3 years. A third one, against feline leukemia, is risk-based: cats that go outside or live in multi-cat homes get it every 2–3 years. The remaining feline vaccines are rare and only given for a specific reason.
01What an adult cat needs
Shot
How often
For which cats
FVRCP combo
every 3 years
every cat
Rabies
every 1–3 years
every cat; by law in many countries
Leukemia (FeLV)
every 2–3 years
outdoor access, contact with other cats
Chlamydia
every year
only where the infection is confirmed
Bordetella
every year
cats from shelters and catteries
FVRCP on the record card means three diseases in one injection: panleukopenia (feline distemper, a severe gut infection), rhinotracheitis (a herpesvirus behind runny noses and sore eyes) and calicivirus (mouth ulcers and the same cold-like picture). A cat that finished the kitten series and the six-month booster needs the next dose in 3 years. Indoor cats need these shots too — the reasoning is in do indoor cats need vaccines.
02Leukemia is about lifestyle, not about every cat
Feline leukemia is a contagious viral disease that wears down the immune system. Every kitten is advised to get the shot during the first year, while adults get it by risk: the cat goes outdoors, lives with other cats, or shares a home with a cat known to be infected. In those cases the shot repeats every 2–3 years and only while the risk lasts. A leukemia and immunodeficiency test comes first: vaccinating a cat that is already infected has no point.
03What cats are not vaccinated against
The shot against feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is not recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) or the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD). The feline immunodeficiency (FIV) vaccine is not advised either: it interferes with later test results, and in most countries it has been withdrawn from the market.
Platera warns you before a shot expires
A due date for every feline vaccine and an early nudge.
Platera9:00 AM
Mia’s booster shot is tomorrow — clinic at 12:00
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04Frequently asked
What if the cat’s vaccination history is unknown?
An adult cat with no paperwork gets two doses of the FVRCP combo 3–4 weeks apart and then moves to the three-year cycle. The rabies shot is started again and repeated about a year later. If the leukemia vaccine is planned, a test comes before the first dose.
Can all the shots be given in one appointment?
Yes. The American Association of Feline Practitioners states that all indicated vaccines can be given in a single visit, rabies included. If the vet is concerned about a reaction to one of the vaccines, the rest may be postponed by about two weeks.
Why is a cat injected in the leg rather than the scruff?
Because of a rare but serious tumour that can develop at an injection site. To lower the risk, feline vaccines go as low down a limb as possible: the combo shot into the right front leg, leukemia into the left hind leg, rabies into the right hind leg. For the same reason adjuvant-free vaccines are preferred for cats.
Does a cat that never goes outside still need shots?
Yes, the combo and rabies apply to indoor cats as well: panleukopenia is highly contagious, and the rabies shot is required by law in many countries. The leukemia vaccine is usually skipped for an indoor cat with no contact with other cats. There is a separate article on vaccines for indoor cats.
ADULT CAT · BOOSTERS
