Now that your kitten is 16 weeks old, it’s about time for their final appointment of the initial vaccine series! We recommend a final FVRCP vaccine once your kitten is at least 16 weeks old, though in some cases your veterinarian may recommend another at 20 weeks. As part of the initial vaccine series, an important core vaccine enters the scene at this final appointment: the rabies vaccine.
Kittens cannot receive a rabies vaccine until they are at least 12 weeks old. Local ordinances vary and must always be followed. For example, in some states all cats must be vaccinated by the time they reach the age of 4 months, while other states require vaccination by 6 months of age.
We’ve got two extremely important facts about rabies that you should know:
- As a viral disease of mammals, it can affect both your kitten and you.
- In both cats and humans alike, rabies is nearly 100% fatal.
Rabies vaccines are our first line of defense against this dangerous disease. Cases affecting humans and pets are rare in areas of the world with widespread pet vaccination, but wild animals remain a potential source of infection for both us and our pets.
Rabies is primarily transmitted via the bite of an infected animal. Important sources of rabies in North America include bats, skunks, foxes, raccoons and coyotes. In Asia, Africa and Latin America, stray dogs serve as a major rabies risk. For cats who go outside, any of these species could present a risk. For indoor-only cats, bats who find their way inside are the most common exposure risk.
Be aware of wildlife acting strangely. Watch for wild animals approaching people and pets, animals who are usually out at night wandering around in the daylight, and bats entering your home or lying on the ground. Signs of rabies include aggression, attempting to bite, excessive drooling, weakness, and paralysis. Contact your local animal control if you are noticing concerning behaviors in a wild or stray animal.
Rabies vaccination is legally required in most states. There are two types of rabies vaccines available: 1-year and 3-year. One-year rabies vaccines are given annually. With the three-year rabies vaccine, you must get one dose, another dose a year later, and then can move to every three years after that second dose. Which type of vaccine your cat can receive may depend on legal requirements in your area.
This isn’t a vaccine to skip out on. A bat entering your home or any confrontation with a wild mammal could present a risk to your kitten. For questions about the rabies vaccine, reach out to your VCA care team.
A CareClub® membership for your kitten includes their annual exams, rechecks and sick appointments1 along with the vaccines and yearly preventive services2 your pet needs to support their best health.
CareClub Memberships are preventive pet health care plans and not pet insurance. CareClub Membership covers only the selected health care services and products which are specifically identified in the applicable CareClub Membership agreement.
1. Unlimited exams are any exams during regular business hours, excluding specialty, emergency, telemedicine or urgent care exams.
2. Vaccines may include rabies, feline distemper (Panleukopenia), feline respiratory virus (Rhino, Calici) and feline leukemia (FeLV). Lab work checks for issues like diabetes, liver and kidney disease, parasites and general infections.
