| Vaccine | How often (after the first-year booster) |
|---|---|
| FVRCP (injectable) | Every 3 years |
| FVRCP (intranasal) | Every year |
| Rabies | By vaccine label and local law, often every 3 years |
| FeLV, regular exposure | Every year |
| FeLV, occasional exposure | Every 2–3 years, where the vaccine allows |
| FeLV, low-risk indoor adults | Often not needed; ask your vet |
Vaccine schedule
Cat Vaccine Schedule for Adults: Boosters and Catch-Up Shots
Updated October 2026 · By the Hushku editorial team · 2 sources
Short answer
After the kitten series and first-year boosters, adult cats need FVRCP every 3 years and rabies according to the vaccine and local law (often every 3 years). Feline leukaemia (FeLV) boosters depend on risk: yearly for cats with regular exposure, every 2–3 years for lower risk, and often not at all for low-risk indoor adults.
Key facts
- FVRCP every 3 years (injectable) after the first-year booster.
- Rabies by vaccine label and local law, often every 3 years.
- FeLV boosters depend on exposure risk.
- Adopted cats: test for FeLV and FIV before vaccinating.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If your pet seems unwell, or you're worried, call your vet.
Adult cat vaccine chart
Catch-up vaccines for adopted adult cats
For cats over 16 weeks with an unknown history, the AAHA/AAFP guidelines recommend one or two doses of a modified-live FVRCP vaccine, or two doses 3–4 weeks apart for an inactivated vaccine, then a booster in a year. Test for FeLV (and usually FIV) first, then vaccinate against FeLV if your cat goes outdoors, lives with cats of unknown status or is under 1 year old. Rabies follows local law.
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes, at least the core vaccines. Panleukopenia virus survives for a long time in the environment and can be carried indoors, and cat flu viruses spread easily. Rabies vaccination is a legal requirement in many places, including for indoor cats, and protects them if a bat gets inside. Your vet will decide with you whether FeLV is needed.
Other vaccine schedules
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Sources
We check guides against veterinary sources and update them when guidance changes. How we write and review.
Questions.
How often do cats need shots?
Most adult cats need FVRCP every 3 years and rabies every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine. FeLV depends on lifestyle.
Do senior cats still need vaccines?
Usually, yes, though your vet may adjust the plan for cats with health problems. Senior check-ups every 6 months are a good time to review it.
Can vaccines make my cat ill?
Mild sleepiness or a slight fever for a day is common. Call your vet for vomiting, facial swelling, difficulty breathing or a lump that persists.
