Complete Guide to Cat Vaccines and Deworming: Schedule and Precautions

Two things every cat owner must know: vaccines and deworming. Many new cat owners don't know when to vaccinate, what to use, or how often, leading to health problems for their cats. This article provides a complete schedule and precautions.

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💉 Vaccines: Core Prevention System

Core Cat Vaccines (Mandatory)

FVRCP Vaccine (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) Covers three high-risk diseases:

1. Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) : Herpesvirus, highly contagious, can cause severe upper respiratory infections
2. Feline Calicivirus (C/FCV) : Upper respiratory symptoms, oral ulcers
3. Feline Panleukopenia (P) : Also known as feline distemper, high mortality rate

Rabies Vaccine

• Legally required (mandatory in some regions), recommended even for strictly indoor cats
• Zoonotic disease, nearly 100% fatal in humans once infected

Non-Core Vaccines (As Needed)

• Feline Leukemia (FeLV) Vaccine : Recommended for outdoor cats and multi-cat households
• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Vaccine : New FIP prevention products available domestically

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📅 Kitten Vaccination Schedule

Age	Vaccine	Notes
8–9 weeks (approx. 2 months)	First FVRCP	Maternal antibodies begin to wane
12 weeks (approx. 3 months)	Second FVRCP	3–4 weeks after the first dose
16 weeks (approx. 4 months)	Third FVRCP + Rabies	Completes the initial series
1 year later	FVRCP + Rabies booster

Why multiple doses are needed: Maternal antibodies from the mother's milk gradually fade, but before they disappear, they can "neutralize" the vaccine. Multiple doses ensure that once maternal antibodies are fully gone, the vaccine can produce effective protection.

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🔄 Adult Cat Vaccination Frequency

FVRCP:

• After completing the initial series, boost every 3 years (modern recommendation, depending on the vaccine product)
• Some veterinarians recommend annual boosters (depending on the cat's living environment)

Rabies:

• Follow local regulations, typically every 1 or 3 years

Important Notes:

• The cat must be healthy before vaccination (no fever, diarrhea, or other symptoms)
• Observe the cat for 15–30 minutes after vaccination to prevent allergic reactions
• Avoid bathing for 2–3 days after vaccination

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🐛 Deworming: Internal vs. External

Internal Parasites (Internal Deworming)

Common Types:

• Roundworms: Most common in kittens, causes abdominal swelling
• Tapeworms: Transmitted by ingesting fleas (fleas are the intermediate host)
• Hookworms: Can be zoonotic, transmitted through soil
• Toxoplasma: The most feared, but healthy adults usually have no symptoms

Deworming Schedule (Kittens):

• 2 weeks old: First internal deworming (kitten deworming powder/suspension)
• Every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old
• Once a month after 12 weeks, continue for 6 months
• After 6 months, every 3 months (maintenance)

Adult Cat Internal Deworming Frequency:

• Strictly indoor cats: Every 3–6 months
• Outdoor cats or those in contact with other animals: Monthly to every 3 months

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External Parasites (External Deworming)

Common Types:

• Fleas: Most common, causes intense itching, transmits tapeworms
• Ticks: Transmits Lyme disease and other illnesses (high risk for outdoor cats)
• Ear Mites: Inside cat ears, causes increased discharge and intense scratching

External Deworming Schedule:

• Monthly (standard frequency)
• Recommended year-round (fleas can survive indoors all year)

Common External Deworming Forms:

• Spot-on: Applied to the skin at the back of the neck, absorbed for full-body protection
• Deworming Collars: Slow-release, long-lasting protection (4–8 months)
• Sprays: Suitable for quick treatment
• Note: Cats are extremely sensitive to certain ingredients (e.g., pyrethroids). Never use dog deworming products on cats!

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🤝 Combining Internal and External Deworming

Deworming Type	Common Ingredients	Action
Internal	Praziquantel (tapeworms), Fenbendazole (roundworms), Ivermectin (multiple)	Kills internal parasites
External	Fipronil (banned for cats!), Imidacloprid, Flumethrin, Afoxolaner	Kills fleas/ticks

Important Warning:

• Products containing fipronil are neurotoxic to cats, even if some are still available in China
• Dog products containing permethrin are fatally toxic to cats
• Always choose products specifically labeled "for cats"

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🩺 Precautions Before Deworming

1. Confirm the cat's age and weight

   • Dosage is strictly calculated by weight
   • Overdosing or underdosing are both problematic

2. Do not deworm and vaccinate at the same time

   • Recommended interval: 1–2 weeks
   • Doing both simultaneously may affect vaccine efficacy

3. Observe after deworming

   • Normal: Mild diarrhea (internal deworming), neck scratching (external spot-on)
   • Seek veterinary care if abnormal: Persistent vomiting, lethargy, limb weakness

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📊 Recommended Deworming Schedule Summary (Adult Cat Maintenance)

Frequency	Type	Notes
Monthly	External deworming (fleas/ticks)	Year-round
Every 3 months	Internal deworming (roundworms/tapeworms)	Strictly indoor cats can extend to 6 months
Annually	Fecal egg count test	Confirm deworming effectiveness
Every 1–3 years	Vaccine booster	Depends on vaccine type

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⚠️ Common Misconceptions

1. "Indoor cats don't need deworming" → Indoor cats can still get fleas through owners' shoes, open windows, etc. → At least deworm internally and externally every 3–6 months

2. "Natural/herbal deworming is safer" → Natural products lack clinical evidence for deworming effectiveness; not recommended as a substitute for proper deworming medication

3. "If the cat has no symptoms, no deworming is needed" → Many parasitic infections show no obvious symptoms early on; by the time symptoms appear, the infection may be severe → Regular deworming is prevention, not treatment

4. Forgetting to treat the environment → Most of a flea's life cycle is spent in the environment (carpets, cat beds) → When deworming the cat, also wash the cat bed and mats in hot water

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This article is based on veterinary medicine and animal health knowledge. Consult a licensed veterinarian for specific medications. Contains no brand recommendations.