Blog/Vaccinations

Cat rabies vaccine: when it is due and is it required

Updated July 29, 2026·4 minper AAFPAnswer — in the first paragraph ↓

CAT · RABIES SHOT

A cat that never leaves the flat still needs the rabies shot: in most countries it is a legal requirement rather than the owner’s choice. The first dose is given at 12 weeks, repeated about a year later, and after that every 1 or 3 years depending on the product and local law.

01When and how often

When

What happens

Notes

12 weeks

first dose

not given to a cat any earlier

14–16 weeks

first dose

if the vaccine series started late

around 12 months

first booster

a year after the first dose

after that

every 1 or 3 years

depends on the product and national law

Rabies is a core shot for both the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). The booster interval is set not only by the vaccine but by local law, which may demand a yearly shot even where the product is labelled for three years. The vet writes the next due date on the record card, and that date is what to follow. The rest of an adult cat’s schedule is in adult cat vaccinations.

02Indoor cats are not exempt

An indoor cat has no legal cover: proof of a valid rabies shot is needed for moving house, travelling, boarding and often for a routine clinic visit. Without the entry on the record card a cattery will not take the cat and no border will let it through. On top of that, a strictly indoor cat does occasionally end up on the stairwell or the balcony. What else a cat without outdoor access needs is covered in do indoor cats need vaccines.

03What the rules say where you live

In the United States the requirement comes from state and local law: the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) notes that many of those laws apply to indoor-only pets as well, and the booster interval follows either the statute or the vaccine label. In the United Kingdom no rabies shot is needed to keep a cat at home, but bringing one into Great Britain has its own order: the microchip goes in before the vaccine, and travel is allowed no earlier than 21 full days after the first vaccination — the exact wait depends on the vaccine used.

04Why cats get a particular type of vaccine

Cats can rarely develop a tumour at an injection site, known as injection-site sarcoma. It is uncommon but hard to treat, so cats are given recombinant vaccines with no adjuvant — the additive that boosts the immune response. The adjuvant-free rabies vaccine is currently labelled for one year, which is one reason feline rabies boosters are often annual. For the same reason the injection goes as low down a limb as possible rather than between the shoulder blades: rabies into the right hind leg.

Platera keeps the rabies date for you

The next due date for your cat and a nudge before it arrives.

Platera9:00 AM

Mia’s booster shot is tomorrow — clinic at 12:00

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05Frequently asked

Is the rabies vaccine required by law for cats?

In most countries yes, whether or not the cat goes outside. The exact booster interval is set by local legislation, and it can require a yearly shot even with a three-year vaccine. Requirements differ from country to country, so it is worth checking them with your own vet.

How old does a kitten have to be for the rabies shot?

Twelve weeks. If the vaccine series started late, the shot is given at the 14–16 week appointment along with the final dose of the combination vaccine. The first booster follows about a year after the first dose, and after that the cat moves to the adult interval of 1 or 3 years.

Does the rabies shot last one year or three?

It depends on the product and on national law. Three-year vaccines exist, but cats are usually given the recombinant adjuvant-free one, and that is currently labelled for a year. The date to rely on is the one the vet writes on the record card after the injection.

Can rabies and the combination shot be given the same day?

Yes. The American Association of Feline Practitioners states that all vaccines a cat needs can be given in a single visit, rabies included. The injections go into different legs. If the vet is concerned about a reaction to one of them, the rest may be postponed by about two weeks.

Sources

WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines (2024)↗

AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines (2020)↗

AVMA — Vaccinating your pet: state and local vaccination laws↗

GOV.UK — Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain↗