When do I vaccinate my cat?
VACCINATING YOUR CAT
There are several preventable, infectious diseases which have the ability to make your kitten or adult cat very sick or even kill. Prevention is possible with regular vaccinations.
Vaccinating cats is something only your vet can do and requires a few visits over the first year, followed by ongoing boosters for the lifetime of your pet.
Cats in New Zealand are vaccinated against: “Cat flu” which is caused by a few different infectious organisms which are represented in the vaccine. It is highly contagious and commonly seen in the general cat population. Panleukopaenia fortunately is usually quite rare (again due to successful vaccination), but this potentially fatal viral disease has re-emerged in the local cat population.
Any cat spending time outdoors wandering is at risk of contracting of Feline Immuno-deficiency Virus (also known as FIV). FIV positive cats carrying the virus can infect healthy cats with its body fluids, most commonly this occurs when biting during a cat fight. FIV causes Feline Aids, a potentially fatal consequence that interferes with the cat’s immune system. There is no longer a vaccine available in New Zealand to protect our feline friends from this virus, so the best protection is to keep cats from wandering and have a catio or protected outdoor safe haven created for them if they like to be outdoors.
Vaccinate kittens at the following intervals:
- 8 weeks old
- 10 weeks old
- 12 weeks old
- 6 months old (booster)
For most kittens, the 6 month booster will be around the time of their desexing post-op check. If your kitten was desexed earlier than the 6 month mark, please check with your vet for the recommended time of their booster.
After the booster, vaccination is required annually, for life.
AFTER VACCINATION
Usually, pets show very little reaction to vaccination. Occasionally they may become a little ”off-colour” or have some tenderness/swelling at the vaccination site. Allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Please contact your vet if you have any concerns. Remember the benefits of vaccinating your precious pet far outweigh any risks!
Once your order leaves our warehouse and is scanned into the New Zealand Couriers network you will be sent track and trace details via email. You can use these track and trace details to keep an eye on your order, and when it will be delivered.
Payment is required when you place your order, you can checkout with your credit card, via online banking or in instalments with Afterpay or ZIP. Note: Your order confirmation is your tax invoice, as we endeavour to become more environmentally friendly, we no longer print and include copies of tax invoices with orders
Qualifying purchases made on auto re-order qualify for our loyalty programme. Almost all our premium vet diets, and vet recommended flea and worm treatments are included in the loyalty programme.
